There are plenty of things to do in Gora – walk around the parks or go to the nearby museums. Gora is a great place to explore with its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. There are many hotels and ryokans in this area but I’ll introduce the three I’ve been to.
What to do in Gora
Gora Park
Gora Park has a long history dating back to 1914 when it opened as the first French style garden in Japan. Nice to stroll around, especially in the spring, when the flowers are in full bloom. Hakone Craft House is in the park where they have workshops in glassblowing, pottery, sandblasting, dragonfly beading, and pottery painting. After you get off the Hakone Tozan railway at Gora station, it’s a few minutes’ walk to the park
/Https://www.hakone-tozan.co.jp/gorapark/en/
Hakone Museum of Art
One of my favorite places to visit is the Hakone Museum of Art. Their collection includes ancient earthenware and porcelains (10th to 12th centuries) and ceramics (16th to 18th centuries). What is truly recommended is their landscaped Shinsenkyo Garden which includes a rock garden, a moss garden and a bamboo garden. Depending on the season you go, the garden is a gem offering stunning views of the beautiful landscape.
/Https://www.moaart.or.jp/hakone-en/
Hakone Open Air Museum
The Hakone Open Air Museum displays a wide variety of sculptures and artwork in an outdoor setting, as well as in indoor galleries. Visitors can wander through the beautifully landscaped grounds and admire works by renowned artists such as Henry Moore and Picasso. Children can run around lawns dotted with sculptures and play in the artistically-inspired children’s spaces.
Get off at Hakone Chokoku no Mori Bijutsukan station on the Hakone Tozan Railway, the station before Gora station, and it’s a 2-minute walk to the museum.
/Https://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/en/
Where to stay in Gora
Tensui Saryo
Reasonably priced ryokan with small but comfortable rooms. Japanese-style dinner and breakfast offered, depending on the plan you choose. 3 minutes’ walk from Hakone Tozan railway Gora station.
Hyatt Regency Spa and Resort (Hakone)
Western-style luxury hotel – relaxing with excellent service such as a free champagne happy hour by the fireside. I had a high school reunion here with classmates who came from abroad. We chatted by the fireside for happy hour, had delicious wagyu French dinner in the hotel dining room, soaked in the onsen together, and stayed in a room that sleeps 4 people, combination of beds and tatami room with futons. We had 8 people in our party so we got two rooms. On the second day, we had an excellent Western-style breakfast buffet before heading for the nearby Hakone Museum of Art and Gora Park.
A service that the hotel offers is a free shuttle bus to take you/or pick you up at tourist points in the Gora area and Gora station. What’s more, they also offer a free shuttle to Odawara station where you can come on/go back on the Shinkansen for a quick ride back to Tokyo – reservations required.
/Https://www.hyatt.com/ja-JP/hotel/japan/hyatt-regency-hakone-resort-and-spa/hakhr
Gora Kadan
A high-end 4.5-star ryokan that blends traditional Japanese sensibilities with modern touches. It’s located on the grounds of the former summer villa of an Imperial family member. Kaiseki dinner is served and you can enjoy the hot springs surrounded by nature. There are Japanese style rooms within the main building as well as individual Japanese-style cottages for those who want privacy. One of the best ryokans in Hakone! The ryokan car will shuttle you back and forth to Gora station.
I’ve only been here for lunch in the annex building at Kaiseki Ryori Kadan, where they serve an excellent kaiseki course. I also went to the coffee shop inside the main building where I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing mountain view! So you don’t have to stay here to have lunch or relax at the coffee shop.
Where to eat – Tamura Ginkatsu Hakone
I arrived at Gora station before lunch time and was walking around the area when I noticed a big line. It turned out to be the line for this delicious restaurant where they serve tonkatsu (fried pork) sandwiched between tofu and simmered in sauce. It was worth lining up for this delicious dish! Reservations not accepted so line up if you want to try ginkatsu.
Hours open: Mondays and Thurs-Sun, 11:00-14:30 (reception ends), 17:00-19:00 (reception ends) Closes at 9:00 p.m.
Closed: Wednesdays & Tues nights
How to get to Gora – the Hakone Tozan Railway!
It’s easy to just take a taxi from Hakone Yumoto station to get to Gora. But definitely ride the 40 minute-train-ride on Hakone Tozan Railway from Hakone Yumoto station (the starting point) to Gora station (the final stop). As the train climbs up the steep mountains using the switchback method, you can enjoy a majestic view of the natural landscape of Hakone.
/https://specialdialtravel.com/hakone/
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