Hakone

Hakone has been Japan's favourite hot-spring retreat since the Edo period, when feudal lords stopped here on the old Tokaido highway. Nestled in the volcanic caldera of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the area combines steaming onsen, misty mountain lakes, and — on clear days — jaw-dropping views of Mount Fuji rising above Lake Ashi.

What makes Hakone special is its variety. In a single day you can ride a switchback mountain railway, glide over sulphurous Owakudani in a cable car, cruise Lake Ashi on a pirate ship replica, and soak in a private rotenburo (open-air bath) before dinner. The Hakone Open-Air Museum adds a world-class sculpture collection to the mix. It's nature, culture, and relaxation rolled into one compact destination.