Why is Hakone so popular?
Hakone is the nearest onsen resort from Tokyo. In less than two hours, you can get there and enjoy its onsen hot spring, beautiful nature, and Mt Fuji views. That’s why it has been popular for a long time among overseas visitors as well as Japanese people.
Hakone has special features every season: in spring, it has beautiful flowers and is good for hiking; it turns to an ideal summer retreat with cool air; in autumn, it is tinted beautifully with coloured leaves;it has clear Mt Fuji views in winter.
What is the best way to get to Hakone and how much is it?
There are a few ways to get to Hakone.
■ Expressway bus: from Shinjuku, to Lake Ashi, 3,900JPY(a return trip)
■ Odakyu Railway’s express train “Romancecar”: from Shinjuku, to Hakone Yumoto, 4,840JPY(a return trip)
■ Shinkansen: from Tokyo Station, transfer at Odawara, 7,560JPY(a return trip)
Hakone has lots of places worth visiting. In order to fully appreciate Hakone by visiting these places, you usually need to get on local buses, railways, ropeways, and boats. If you are new to Hakone, joining one of bus tours is the best as they take you around these places effectively and comfortably at a low price.
Where can I find the famous kuro-tamago, or black eggs?
Kuro-tamago, or “black egg” is usually sold 
only at Owakudani Tourism Center. Kuro-tamago are eggs hard-boiled in the hot spring at Owakudani Valley. The eggs turn black by the chemical reaction of volcanic gas.
Consuming the eggs is believed to increase longevity: eating one is said to add seven years to your life. They are a local speciality, popularly sold at 500JPY for a bag of five. Before you join a Hakone tour, do ask the agency whether it includes Owakudani Valley.
I am looking for Hakone overnight tours. Where can I find them?
There are a lot of one-day tours but not many overnight tours, especially those departing from Tokyo. However, we always have a few overnight tours. If you want to experience a stay at Hakone, check them before coming to Japan.
