Visit the Hakone active volcanic zone and its surroundings

Just one hour from Tokyo, the Hakone active volcanic zone is a popular travel destination. It's located in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, whose mountains offer some of the best hiking trails in Japan. For epic views of the surrounding landscape, take a boat tour of the majestic Lake Ashi and contemplate the reflections of Mount Fuji that form on the water.

If you'd rather stay on solid land, visit the Hakone-jinja Shinto shrine, whose red torii roof can be seen from the lake. The hike up to the building, which is tucked away in a cedar forest, is a spiritual and relaxing experience. To savor this moment of serenity for a little longer, we recommend a soak in the volcanic hot springs.

In this region, art and nature co-exist, as you'll see at the Chokoku no Mori open-air museum. Here, you can stroll through a collection of sculptures by artists such as Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, and Niki de Saint-Phalle. For an immersive stay, spend the night in a traditional ryokan and taste Owakudani black eggs, which are cooked in the hot springs around Hakone.