Hakone is an ideal destination for sightseeing with children. It is characterized by its excellent access from Tokyo and is also recommended for day trips.
Unique modes of transport like the Hakone Ropeway and the Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi are popular with children. Hakone is also famous as a hot spring area, with many family-friendly onsen facilities that are well-equipped for children. This allows everyone from small children to adults to relax and enjoy the hot springs.
Through the beauty of nature, hot springs, rides (attractions), and delicious food, you can create wonderful memories with your family.

To enjoy the beautiful scenery of Hakone, a journey on the pirate ship, which connects Togendai Port with Hakone-machi Port and Motohakone Port, is highly recommended. On this 25 to 40-minute boat trip, you can fully enjoy the spectacular view of Hakone from the lake. The interior of the pirate ship is a fun space that captivates everyone from children to adults, with 3D art and pirate objects.

Stroller-Friendly! A Smooth Adventure on the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise

The Hakone pirate ships "Queen Ashinoko," "Victory," and "Royal II" each have their own charming exterior and interior. The detailed decorations inside the ships will be enjoyed by both children and adults.
Lake Ashi has few waves, so it's safe even for families with children. The pirate ships allow strollers on board and are barrier-free. Although they are three stories high, there is an elevator, making it easy to move around.

Free for Preschoolers & Hop-On Hop-Off！

The Hakone Sightseeing Cruise are full of adventurous features that children will love! They can have a great time exploring the ship.
If the children get bored, it's okay to disembark midway and explore another port. With a round-trip ticket or a Freepass, you can get on and off wherever you like. Another great point is that tickets for preschool children are free.

The Hakone Ropeway is a scenic spot where you can fully enjoy the beauty of nature. It connects four stations, and it's also possible to transfer to the Hakone Tozan Cable Car from Sounzan Station. On the way from Sounzan to Owakudani, a magnificent view of the valley bottom unfolds, and as you proceed towards Togendai, you can enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi.

Restrooms & Ramps Available! Frequent Departures Mean Less Waiting Time

The Hakone Ropeway is designed to be friendly for those with strollers, and all stations are equipped with restrooms and ramps.
The gondolas run at approximately one-minute intervals, so if you avoid peak times, there is generally little waiting time, and you can board smoothly.

Comfort at Owakudani! Stroller Check-in, Diaper Stations & Nursing Rooms

For families bringing strollers when visiting Owakudani, there is a reassuring service. You can leave your stroller at the ropeway ticket office, allowing you to enjoy exploring Owakudani hands-free.
Furthermore, the facility is equipped with diaper changing stations and a nursing room, which are also heated, so families with small children can spend their time comfortably.

"Hakone Checkpoint," an important historical site that tells the story of transportation in the Edo period, has reappeared on the shores of Lake Ashi. This checkpoint, restored after about 140 years using the techniques and tools of the time, makes visitors feel as if they have wandered into the Edo period with its imposing presence and its black exterior painted with persimmon tannin and soot ink.

Watch Short Performances Recreating Edo-Period Scenes!

This checkpoint is situated in a location with a rich view, facing Lake Ashi with Mt. Byobu in the background. When you visit, you can enjoy short skits that recreate the atmosphere of the Edo period, providing an experience where children can also learn about history in a fun way. This place, full of historical romance, is perfect for a deeper understanding of your Hakone trip.

Souvenir Shopping & a Break at a Teahouse

At the Hakone Checkpoint, a wide variety of souvenirs are available, perfect for choosing gifts for friends and colleagues. Furthermore, there is the "Gobansho Chaya" where you can enjoy mitarashi soft serve ice cream and dango, making it a recommended spot for a break during your sightseeing. Take a delicious break during your journey through history and find some wonderful souvenirs.

"Forest Adventure HAKONE" is located in the forests of Hakone with good access from the city center. From Odawara Station, it's about a 15-minute ride on the Hakone Tozan Railway, and from Hakone-Yumoto Station, it's about a 3-minute ride on the free shuttle bus to reach the park. Let's take a look at the points recommended for families with children!

Enjoy Nature! The Recommended Canopy Course for Families

At "Forest Adventure HAKONE," you can fully enjoy the outdoors against the backdrop of Hakone's beautiful nature. The "Canopy Course," which can be experienced by those 110cm or taller, is a course that the whole family can enjoy. It is recommended for creating wonderful family memories.

Safe for Beginners with Staff Instruction

It starts with instruction from the staff on how to wear the harness and helmet. After that, you receive a lecture on how to use the pulley and precautions on the course. Since you get to experience it on a practice course before tackling the main course, even beginners can enjoy it with peace of mind.
The variety of activities allows everyone from children to adults to have fun while improving their skills.

You can enjoy a relaxing family time in the natural hot springs gushing from the grounds of Hakone. Not only can you enjoy traditional bathing areas (no swimsuits), open-air baths, and a spacious grand public bath, but there is also a hot spring activity zone that you can enjoy in your swimsuit.

Hakone's Onsen Activity for Kids! Available All Seasons

In the hot spring activity zone that you enjoy in your swimsuit, you can bring your smartphone and taking videos and photos is OK. The appeal is being able to record fun family memories. Because the water is warm, you can enjoy it all year round, not just in summer but also in winter.

Hakone's First Lazy River & Kids' Pool

The newly opened lazy river and kids' pool in the Hakone area are perfect water play spots for families. The lazy river can be enjoyed by both children and adults together. The kids' pool is also equipped with a slide and is designed so that even small children can play safely.

"Hakone Gora Park," opened in 1914, is Japan's oldest French-style formal garden and a famous spot where you can enjoy flowers of the four seasons. A variety of plants such as cherry blossoms, azaleas, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas color the park. This park has a unique structure built on a slope, and its open atmosphere surrounded by a wide sky and mountains is one of its charms.

Crafting Workshops are Recommended for Making Family Memories

At "Hakone Gora Park," a wealth of activities that children can enjoy are prepared. Particularly popular are the hands-on activities at the craft workshop. Here, you can enjoy various craft experiences such as glass blowing, sandblasting, and pottery painting.
Instructors will teach you carefully, so you can have fun and feel at ease even if it's your first time.

Kid-Friendly! Gourmet Cafes Inside Hakone Gora Park

Isshiki-do Saro and Cafe Pic are recommended dining spots for families with children. At Isshiki-do Saro, you can enjoy sandwiches made with natural and high-quality ingredients, such as a rolled omelet sandwich made with free-range eggs, a fruit and carrot sandwich, and a roast beef sandwich.
The interior is open and comfortable, and for takeout, they also sell rich vanilla and rose soft-serve ice cream. At Cafe Pic, you can enjoy lunch or teatime in a calm atmosphere inside the cafe while enjoying the seasonal scenery from the terrace seats overlooking the fountain of Hakone Gora Park.

We will now introduce a model itinerary for a family trip to Hakone.
Because it incorporates activities that children can enjoy, it will surely be a trip that the whole family can be satisfied with. Please use it as a reference.

Day 1

Day 2

Summary

Hakone is a tourist destination rich in nature and friendly to families with children. You can enjoy spectacular views from the ropeway and pirate ship, as well as hot springs and art appreciation. In particular, it is attractive for its abundance of activities for children and many spots that can be enjoyed with peace of mind even with kids in tow.
Access from Tokyo is also good, and it is a place where you can spend a full day at a leisurely pace. If you want to make fun memories with your children, please consider a trip to Hakone. You will surely be able to spend a special time with your family in the midst of beautiful nature.