Owakudani Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Owakudani. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Private Sightseeing to Mt. Fuji and Hakone GREEN NUMBER PLATES

• Mt. Fuji & Hakone Private Day Tour With English-Speaking Driver

• Private Car Tour to Mt. Fuji Lake Kawaguchiko

• Hakone 6 hour Private Tour With Government-Licensed Guide

• Mt. Fuji & Hakone: Ramen Making Experience, Pirate Cruise & Scenic

Owakudani is free to visit, but many people like to go on a day trip from Tokyo, to save time and see other nearby attractions. Full-day tours with a guide range in price from around US$125 per person to US$1,220 per group, depending on the mode of transport (bus or private car) and other inclusions, such as tickets and meals.

Owakudani is a volcanic area on Mt. Hakone. You can see bubbling thermal pools, warm rivers, and steaming vents, as well as views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi below, on a fine day. There are walking and hiking trails, and a ropeway ferrying visitors from lake-level to the top.

Owakudani is southwest of Tokyo. The easiest way to get there is by private car or on a tour, as the drive takes around 2.5 hours, making it possible to visit on a day trip. Public transportation is also an option, taking the Odakyu Highway Bus from Tokyo’s Shinjuku station to Lake Ashi, followed by the ropeway up to Owakudani.

Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the best seasons in which to visit Owakudani. Along with pleasant temperatures, the air is less likely to be humid than in the summer, so you may have good views of Mt. Fuji. Winter views are special too, with more snow on the volcano.

Yes, there are sometimes health advisories and restrictions at Owakudani, and the volcanic area is sometimes closed. The vapors in the air can be toxic, and are especially hazardous if the wind blows them in the direction of visitors. Even when the site is open, avoid visiting if you suffer from asthma, bronchitis, or another lung or heart disease. Infants, travelers with allergies, and pregnant people may also want to stay away.