Where do these come from?

From the comment sections of Japanese YouTube videos — food crawls, hidden-gem tours, honest reviews. We quote real comments only, show the actual like counts at the time of collection, and link back to the source video.

How accurate are the translations?

Each quote keeps the original Japanese alongside the English. We adapt slang so it reads naturally, but we never change the meaning or invent comments.

Tokyo & Around

Things to Do in Hakone

4 Japanese roundups

Hakone is where Tokyo goes to soak — and where Japanese travelers now argue about whether it’s worth the crush. In their comment sections, a former route-bus driver explains what the congestion did to him, street-food regulars out-recommend the famous black eggs, and a 30-year bathhouse loyalist reveals the quiet baths-only annex he uses now that Hakone’s most famous day-bath is “all overseas visitors.”

Hakone at a glance

Japanese commenters say go

Rules that apply anywhere in Japan39

These apply everywhere in Japan, not just here.

All 39 rules for Japan →

Guides6

Questions these roundups answer16

Every place Japanese commenters named21

All the spots mentioned in the comments across these roundups. Tap a name to open Google Maps; tap the Japanese to copy it for taxis and map apps; tap the star to build your own list. Hours and prices change — details are as of the source comments.

Meidai Hakone Soba (Odawara Station)Odawara StationThe Odakyu station soba chain the comments crowned over pricier restaurants (272 likes) — next to the Odakyu ticket gates; ask for the kakiage fried fresh.Map Why it's here
Gora ParkGoraOn a steep slope — Japanese commenters get off at Koen-Kami station and stroll downhill through the park instead of climbing.Map Why it's here
Chisuji FallsKowakidaniThe quiet spot commenters guard: "even in autumn, nobody else there." A short walk from Kowakidani.Map Why it's here
Hakone Geo MuseumOwakudani¥100 volcano museum by the crater area, recommended in the comments alongside the reservation-only nature trail tour (as of the comments).Map Why it's here
Owakudani Kuro-tamago (black eggs)OwakudaniThe icon, with folklore attached: one egg is said to add seven years to your life. Sold only in multi-egg packs (commenters grumble they can't buy singles; one reports finding packs of four instead of five), and availability depends on Owakudani access, which closes for volcanic activity and maintenance, so check before you ride up (as of the comments).Map Why it's here
ChimotoHakone-YumotoThe wagashi shop behind yumochi, the thread's most-loved item ("I could eat it every day," 102 likes) — a fan also pushes the mitarashi dango. Slightly off the busiest stretch, which one commenter says keeps it calmer.Map Why it's here
NanohanaHakone-Yumoto, station streetFamous for onsen manju, but the comments' real verdict is the yaki-mont-blanc — a crisp-shelled chestnut pastry two separate commenters push over the buns. The manju storefront across from Chimoto also squeezes a mont-blanc soft-serve to order, with a small footbath out front (as of the comments).Map Why it's here
Marushima HontenHakone-Yumoto, by the stationThe dissenter's pick: for one commenter who finds Chimoto's yumochi too sweet, this old-line shop's soft onsen manju is the better bun.Map Why it's here
Oyakata HamburgHakone-Yumoto, near the stationA commenter's new-shop alert: charcoal-grilled hamburger skewers from a stand run by a former sumo oyakata — "jaw-droppingly good" (as of the comments).Map Why it's here
Hakone Baisen CoffeeHakone-Yumoto, station streetThe coffee soft-serve a 22-like commenter recommends at the coffee shop in Hakone-Yumoto: the roastery on the station street, known for its coffee-milk soft-serve.Map Why it's here
Komagatake Ropeway (Hakone-en)Lake Ashi east shoreThe thread's top crowd-dodge: the Seibu-side services (Izuhakone Bus, this ropeway, the Hakone-en area) aren't covered by the Odakyu Free Pass, so per commenters they stay "wonderfully empty — you'll even get a seat on the bus" (as of the comments).Map Why it's here
Fujiya HotelMiyanoshitaA 102-like commenter's Hakone ritual: too expensive to stay, so they ride in just for breakfast or lunch at the hotel, which opened in 1878 as Japan's first full-fledged resort hotel — a lower-crowd way to "do" Hakone.Map Why it's here
Odakyu Hotel de Yama (Yama no Hotel)Moto-Hakone, Lake AshiThe second half of that same ritual — afternoon tea by Lake Ashi on the way home, "my idea of bliss."Map Why it's here
Sajirushi Shokudo (Odawara fishing port)Hayakawa, Odawara (gateway station to Hakone)A commenter who beat the crowds with an early-morning reverse loop finishes with this tip: the half-rare aji (horse mackerel) fry at the fish-market diner in Odawara port is "truly delicious."Map Why it's here
Kayoi Toji IchikyuHakone-YumotoTenzan's baths-only sister annex — tatami naps, corridor breeze, quiet solo bathers while the crowds flow next door (37 likes). Closed Thursdays.Map Why it's here
Tenzan TojikyoHakone-YumotoHakone's famous day-bath — regulars still rate the water, but a 30-year regular says it's now mostly overseas visitors. As of the comments.Map Why it's here
Hakone-Yumoto Day Onsen IzumiHakone-YumotoAnother commenter's standing choice for Hakone day-bathing. Closed Tuesdays.Map Why it's here
Nakagawa Onsen BunanoyuYamakita, west KanagawaTown-run pH-10 bathhouse in the mountains — best on a drizzly weekday; in summer the parking fills by morning (river-play spot next door). Closed Mondays.Map Why it's here
NanasawasoNanasawa Onsen, AtsugiCommenters rate its slick, skin-softening alkaline water above better-known baths; small sauna, onsen-water cold plunge, resident cat at the front desk.Map Why it's here
Kobo no Sato YuTsurumaki Onsen, HadanoMunicipal bath by Tsurumaki-Onsen station — local produce and sweets in the shop, good soba in the post-bath lounge. Closed Mondays.Map Why it's here
Yutoro Sagasawa no YuYugawaraA local's pick in Yugawara for the views (24 likes).Map Why it's here

The loudest voice on Hakone

“Conclusion: shift your timing and you can enjoy Hakone as much as you like — but be careful with Owakudani and the transport home!”

結論としては、時間をずらせばいくらでも楽しめるが、大涌谷と帰りの交通機関だけは注意したほうが良いという方向性になりました！

685 likesRead the full roundup

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FAQ

Where do these come from?: From the comment sections of Japanese YouTube videos — food crawls, hidden-gem tours, honest reviews. We quote real comments only, show the actual like counts at the time of collection, and link back to the source video.
How accurate are the translations?: Each quote keeps the original Japanese alongside the English. We adapt slang so it reads naturally, but we never change the meaning or invent comments.

Hakone at a glance

Where to eat1

Where to stay1

See or skip1

Know before you go1