Hakone

Hakone needs little introduction. Home to some of the best views of the iconic Mount Fuji and replete with lush and rich nature, it's one of Japan's top tourist destinations. And for good reason. Located within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the area is home to a multitude of hot spring resorts, shrines and lakes such as the beautiful Lake Ashi (Ashi-no-ko).

One of the top attractions in this location, west of Tokyo, is Owakudani which is essentially a volcanic, boiling valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs. It was said to have been created around 3 millennia ago as a result of a volcanic explosion. 

It's not all volcanoes and hot springs in Hakone, as the region hosts the glorious Hakone Open Air Museum. It opened in 1969 and includes art work from some seriously big artistic names such as Picasso, Taro Okamoto, Churyo Sato and many more.