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Hakone Gora Park offers manicured gardens, creative workshops, and authentic tea experiences, making it an easy escape just steps from Gora Station.

A round fountain in a clear blue pool is surrounded by flowers and benches, with red umbrellas shading visitors at Hakone Gora Park. Green mountains and a partly cloudy sky complete the picturesque scene in the background.

What to Expect at Hakone Gora Park

Hakone Gora Park, opened in 1914, is Japan’s first French-style landscaped park. Built on a hillside overlooking the Hakone mountains, the park combines open lawns, manicured paths, greenhouses, and seasonal flower displays. Unlike a typical urban park, this space was designed for relaxation and discovery, and that’s what makes it special.

Enjoy a Traditional Tea Ceremony

A traditional Japanese house with a thatched roof is nestled among lush green trees and bushes in Hakone Gora Park, with stone steps and a wooden handrail leading to the entrance as sunlight filters through the foliage.

One of the highlights of our visit was sitting down for matcha at Hakuun-do Chaen (白雲洞茶苑), the park’s traditional tea house. The service is presented in a tea ceremony style, and being surrounded by trees and quiet gardens made it a memorable cultural experience.

Two other Western cafes in the park serve sandwiches, curry, and drinks.

Try Glassblowing or Pottery

The park has craft studios where visitors can take part in hands-on workshops such as glass etching and pottery painting. They’re especially enjoyable for families and result in unique souvenirs to bring home.

Stroll Through the Rose Garden

A lush garden with blooming flowers, green shrubs, and a tall tree stands in the foreground at Hakone Gora Park, with mountains and a cloudy sky visible in the background.

The French-style rose garden is one of the park’s signature spots. In spring and early summer, colorful roses bloom in every direction. With open pathways, benches, and mountain views, it’s a beautiful place to pause and take in the scenery.

Visit the Greenhouse and Insect Exhibit

A young boy in a red cap holds a log with a large beetle on it, smiling and making a hand gesture. He stands at Hakone Gora Park’s outdoor market, surrounded by pet supplies and boxes in the background.

Inside the greenhouse, you’ll find tropical plants and sometimes seasonal exhibitions. During our visit, there was a beetle display that had our son fascinated. Even if you’re not into insects, the butterflies and lush greenery make this an enjoyable stop.

How to Get to Hakone Gora Park

Hakone Gora Park is a 5 minute walk from Gora Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway.

Train

  • From Gora Station: Walk uphill 5 minutes to the gate, or ride the Hakone Tozan Cable Car one stop to Koen Kami (upper gate) or Koen Shimo (lower gate).

Bus

  • Hakone Tozan Buses connect Gora with Hakone Yumoto, Sengokuhara, and Lake Ashi. Get off at Gora Station and walk uphill 5 minutes.

Car

  • Limited paid parking is available near the park. Roads can be narrow and busy on weekends and holidays.

Tickets and Passes

  • Admission is required. The Hakone Freepass offers a discount. The tea house and craft studios charge separate fees.

Pro Tip: Use the cable car to avoid the steep hill. Arrive early for fewer crowds and easier photos.

Why We Recommend Hakone Gora Park

What we love most about Gora Park is how it balances nature, creativity, and calm. After a busy day riding cable cars or exploring Hakone, it’s the ideal place to unwind. Enjoy a quiet cup of tea, try your hand at pottery, or simply soak in the seasonal blooms throughout the garden. It’s a rejuvenating escape!

More to Explore Nearby

Once you’ve enjoyed Hakone Gora Park, you’ll find more highlights within a short distance:

  • Hakone Open-Air Museum – Outdoor art installations and hot spring foot baths.
  • Gora Station Dining Street – Small eateries serving soba, tempura, and local specialties.
  • Hakone Ropeway – Scenic ride with views of Owakudani Valley and Mount Fuji.
  • Hakone Museum of Art – Known for its moss garden and seasonal exhibits.