Hakone Onsen

Hakone Onsen is a famous hot spring resort area located in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, about 90 km southwest of Tokyo. It is known for its numerous thermal springs, with at least twenty hot spring resorts existing around Mount Hakone, an area that is designated as part of the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park.

History

Hakone Onsen has a long history, with the first hot spring in the area reportedly opened in 738 during the Nara period by a wandering Buddhist priest. Over the centuries, the number of hot springs in Hakone expanded, and the area became a popular resort and tourist destination, especially after the completion of the Hakone Tozan Railway line in 1919 and the Odakyu Electric Railway in the 1930s, making the hot springs easily accessible to residents of Tokyo and Yokohama.

Onsen Experience

Today, Hakone is called an "onsen theme park" because of the different styles and types of hot springs you can experience and enjoy in the area. The hot spring waters in Hakone have different properties and characteristics due to the unique geological location and the different areas through which the water passes. Visitors can enjoy hot spring baths in public bath houses or ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), with many ryokans offering baths not only to staying guests but also to daytime visitors.

Cultural Significance

Hakone Onsen is deeply intertwined with Japanese culture and tradition, offering a window into the country's rich history and wellness practices. The experience of visiting an onsen in Hakone is not just about physical relaxation but also about connecting with Japan's cultural heritage and embracing the slow, thoughtful pace of life that the hot springs represent.