8 tourist spots in Sengokuhara, Hakone! A journey through highlands, art museums, and anime locations

Sengokuhara, located to the north of Lake Ashi, is a relatively new hot spring tourist destination in Hakone. The area has developed as "Sengokuhara Onsen" through large-scale water diversion projects from Ubako and Owakudani, and it is now known as a luxury resort area. Because of its development history, several stylish art museums line the area, making it one of Hakone's premier artistic regions. These museums offer various discounted tickets such as joint tickets, advance tickets, and Hakone round-trip passes, so be sure to check them out before your visit to Sengokuhara. Moreover, Sengokuhara, which was originally a wetland and grassland, is also recommended for nature tours! Popular spots for Sengokuhara sightseeing include the botanical gardens where you can enjoy seasonal flowers and the Susuki grass field, a top hiking spot in Hakone. Now, let’s explore 8 recommended tourist spots in Sengokuhara.

1. Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Field

When it comes to sightseeing in Sengokuhara, the "face" of the area is definitely the Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Field! A magnificent expanse of susuki (Japanese pampas grass) spreads out at the foothills of the Hakone mountain range. When you get off at the Sengokukougen bus stop, a single path cutting through the grass field stretches out before you. From the main road, you can also spot hiking visitors walking through the susuki grass.

The best season to visit for sightseeing is, of course, autumn! The susuki, with its fluffy plumes, sways with every breeze, creating waves that make it feel like you are in a golden sea. Of course, walking through the lush green pampas grass fields in the summer is also refreshing and pleasant.

Additionally, the annual controlled burn that takes place from mid to late March is a major attraction. If you visit Sengokuhara in this season, you can witness the field being gradually consumed by the flames, resembling a wildfire sweeping across the landscape.

2. Pola Museum of Art

Located at the eastern foot of Sengokuhara, the Pola Museum of Art is a museum with a vast collection centered around Western Impressionist paintings and modern Japanese art. Famous works such as Monet's "Water Lilies" and Renoir's "Girl with a Straw Hat" are on display, works that even those not familiar with art may have seen at least once.

Additionally, the museum’s location in the heart of the Sengokuhara forest is a key point of attraction! The restaurant with views of the surrounding mountains of Sengokuhara and the cafeteria that feels like it is nestled within the forest are also worth visiting.

For those with more time, the "Forest Walkway" beyond the museum is highly recommended. The walkway, surrounded by beech and Japanese camellia trees, offers a high-quality forest bath experience while being serenaded by the chirping of small birds.

3. Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands

The Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands, an established tourist destination in Sengokuhara, is Japan's oldest botanical garden focusing on wetland plants. Originally, there was the Sengokuhara Wetland here, and in addition to the native wetland plants, about 1,700 types of plants from Japan and abroad, including alpine plants, are cultivated.

Famous flowers such as iris and daylilies, as well as early spring flowers that bloom through the snow like skunk cabbage, are featured. The garden is a great place to enjoy a variety of flowers throughout spring to autumn, except during the winter when it is closed.

If you find a favorite wildflower, you can purchase it at the gift shop, making it the perfect souvenir for your visit to Sengokuhara.

4. The Little Prince Museum

A popular spot, especially for families, in Sengokuhara, which is known for its resort image, is "The Little Prince Museum Hakone Saint-Exupéry." This museum and theme park offers visitors the chance to experience the world of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s famous work, "The Little Prince."

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by statues of the Little Prince and his home planet, Asteroid B-612. Next, you will find a European-style garden full of seasonal flowers designed by Keiko Yoshitani. Walking through the rose garden will remind you of the episode where the prince argues with a beautiful rose before embarking on his journey through the stars.

Additionally, the "King’s Avenue," designed to resemble a French-style street, and views of the Saint-Maurice-de-Lemans Castle, where Saint-Exupéry spent his childhood, will make you feel like you are in the heart of Europe. Whether you're a fan of "The Little Prince" or not, this is a perfect spot to experience a European-style trip while in Sengokuhara.

5. Lawson Third New Tokyo City Store

Sengokuhara in Hakone is famous for being the location where the fictional "Third New Tokyo City" from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion was constructed, which recently became a social phenomenon. Anime pilgrimage tours have become a new style of tourism, and Sengokuhara is a pioneer of this trend.

However, since the "Third New Tokyo City" is a fictional city, it is not possible to visit actual buildings. Despite this, what delights anime fans are the "Lawson Third New Tokyo City Store." This is a transformed branch of the major convenience store chain Lawson in Sengokuhara, which was renovated for an event. However, due to an overwhelming number of fans, the event was eventually canceled. Nevertheless, the stores, including the Hakone Kintokiyama Entrance Store, have since adopted names such as "Third New Tokyo City North Store," "South Store" for the Sengokuhara store, and "West Store" for the Hakone Sengokuhara Kogen store, enhancing the atmosphere.

If you are visiting Sengokuhara, be sure to pay attention to the entrance doors, where you'll find the "Third New Tokyo City" logo. Inside the store, illustrations of Evangelion characters are prominently displayed, so you can fully immerse yourself in the anime pilgrimage experience.

6. Hakone Glass no Mori Museum

Suddenly appearing along the Hayakawa River in Sengokuhara, the scenery of the water city Venice! The Hakone Glass no Mori Museum is dedicated to Venetian glass, a craft that captivated Europe during the medieval and early modern periods. The "Corridor of Light," a crystal glass archway leading to the entrance, is one of the most popular photo spots in the art museum tours in Sengokuhara.

Inside the museum, you can admire various masterpieces of Venetian glass, from intricate works by "jugglers" who mesmerized European aristocracy to contemporary glass art. Surrounded by these dazzling glass artworks, you might find yourself breathing heavily, causing the glass display cases to fog up.

The museum also offers a sandblasting experience workshop, and visitors can purchase Venetian glass items at the shop.

7. Hakone Samurai Village Museum

A particularly popular tourist spot for foreigners in Sengokuhara is the Hakone Samurai Village Museum, located just a short walk from the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands. As the name suggests, the museum is dedicated to samurai-related artifacts, including armor, swords, tea utensils, lacquerware, and even ukiyo-e prints and portraits of beautiful women—perfect for attracting foreign visitors.

However, this museum is also hugely popular with Japanese tourists. Visitors can try on real samurai armor and the distinctive "dandara haori" of the Shinsengumi. Unlike flimsy costume sets, these are authentic suits of armor that feel heavy and imposing when worn! Taking a commemorative photo dressed as a samurai or Shinsengumi soldier will surely make for a memorable experience during your Sengokuhara visit.

Moreover, it’s possible to walk around the museum grounds dressed as a samurai! You can step out into the open air of Sengokuhara in the guise of a real-life "Last Samurai." This spot, said to be named after Sengoku Hidehisa, a vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, is a fitting tourist destination for Sengokuhara.

8. Hakone Lalique Museum

Near the center of Sengokuhara, the Hakone Lalique Museum is dedicated to the works of René Lalique, a glass artist who experienced two major artistic movements in France: Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

The museum showcases a collection of over 1,500 pieces of Lalique's works, including decorative items and everyday objects, with around 230 items on display at any given time. A highlight of the museum is the "Orient Express" train car, for which Lalique designed the interior! Visitors can enjoy a tea break in the passenger car on an hourly rotation, but reservations are only accepted on-site, so it's best to plan ahead for this experience.

◎ Summary

Did you get a sense of the charm of Hakone Sengokuhara, where you can enjoy nature, art, and anime pilgrimage sites? With easy access by car or bus from places like the Lake Ashi sightseeing boat dock, Owakudani, and ropeway stations, it's convenient for travel! If you're aiming to explore Hakone fully, Sengokuhara is an essential area you shouldn't miss.

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8 tourist spots in Sengokuhara, Hakone! A journey through highlands, art museums, and anime locations