As you can see from this post, I have lots and lots of Hakone suggestions.
Should you decide to stay the night over making this a day trip I highly recommend you stay at my favourite ‘just outside of Tokyo’ hotel – with our without kids (details here.)
Our favourite day trip in Hakone to see Mt Fuij is to Lake Ashi. Details here.
Here are my tips on Where to Stay in Hakone with kids?
And here I have Where to eat in Hakone with kids?
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links – meaning that, if you book accommodation using one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
If you don’t want to stress about ANY of the traffic or logistics for getting to or around Hakone, I recommend booking a day tour with TokudAw – they are my personal favourite company to use. They understand the importance of carseats for children and babies, unlike many other transfer or tour companies in Japan they use legally registered tour vehicles and legally registered tour drivers. Another amazing fact that I love about this company, they don’t hire drivers that smoke (not just while on their breaks – drivers who do not smoke at all!) I have pictures of some of their vehicles and carseats here.
The number one kid-friendly option that always comes to mind for me in Hakone is the Hakone Open Air Museum. It’s fantastic for kids but also it’s so lovely for adults – even if you’re not really an arty person. It’s just a beautiful space and so relaxing just to have a lovely stroll and chat. All my Hakone Open Air Museum tips are here.
Just 6 mins walk from the Hakone Open Air Museum is a restaurant called Gyoza Center. Please note that this restaurant is cash only. The whole venue is non-smoking.
GYOZA CENTER
足柄下郡箱根町強羅1300
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-2:30PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 5PM-7:30PM
CLOSED THURSDAYS
Just 15 mins walk from the Hakone Open Air Museum (or 3 mins in a cab) is the Gora Brewery. They welcome kids and have good pizza. They have a gluten free menu. The caesar salad here is exceptional. They also have a footbath here. The entire venue is non-smoking. Best to make a reservation. Budget for 3000 yen per adult at lunch and more like 5000 yen at dinner time. There is a 500 yen table charge when you dine here. They accept most major credit cards. This restaurant is 8 mins walk from Gora Station.
They have a beautiful view over a private garden (lots of ginko trees in Autumn.)
GORA BREWERY
足柄下郡箱根町強羅1300-72
OPEN EVERYDAY 1PM-8:30PM
*Please note that children can only dine here before 5pm.
Please note that Hakone dinner options (and especially with kids) are extremely limited. This is because the idea is you stay at a ryokan that has dinner included in the room rate (and is seen as one of the most special parts of the stay). If you choose to not eat at your accommodation you will need to make alternative arrangements such as dining at a restaurant at another hotel (which will require a reservation and can be expensive.) OR you can have a convenience store meal that evening OR you can go to Box Burger (open until 8pm) or to Burger King back at Odawara Station (open until 9pm.)
Box Burger is a burger joint but it’s in a traditional Japanese house where you take off your shoes etc. Three burger options are gluten free (burger buns included.) The fries here are gluten free but are cooked in the same fryer as the non-gluten free options.
I, personally, don’t really love the pirate ship in Hakone that all the tourists flock to. Instead, I prefer this Boat trip and ropeway (uses the same lake but, on a nice day, fabulous views of Mt Fuji). I like it because my kids have loved it since they were very small (and still now that they are bigger) as there are lots of fun things for kids but also stunning views for adults.
I also, personally, don’t really rate Owakudani with kids. It’s miserable when it’s hot or rainy and the smell (sulpher) often takes the fun out of it for kids too.
A PLAYGROUND NEARBY
If you drive to Hakone, I recommend also checking out this lovely open playground for kids.
