Hakone, Kanagawa
Local Guide
Stylish cafes in Hakone. 6 carefully selected restaurants in Gora and Ashinoko area.

Gora and Lake Ashinoko, located at an altitude of 500 to 700 meters above sea level, are popular areas in Hakone where you can feel the clean air and rich nature. Many villas are located here as summer resorts, and the lakeside Shinto shrines and the ruins of a barrier station have attracted many visitors in the past and still do today. The area is also characterized by the many cafes here and there where you can fully enjoy the natural environment and the attractions of the tourist spots. We have carefully selected 7 cafes that we recommend for their great location, delicious tea and sweets, and stylishness.

A hidden café full of greenery at the end of a small street

Today's pound cake
Today's pound cake" 550 yen, herb tea "Green Forest" 650 yen

The Hakone Museum of Photography is run by three generations of a family of photographers on the premises of their home, and in one corner is a stylish cafe. The most popular item on the menu is pound cake made by a patissier who studied pastry making at a famous store in Paris. There are two or three flavors to choose from, including banana and orange peel, and they are rustic yet firm and satisfying. Desserts arranged with seasonal fruits and light meals are also available.

French-style interior with the warmth of wood

Cafe facing the courtyard. Non-museum visitors can also enjoy a cup of tea in the cafe.
Cafe facing the courtyard. Non-museum visitors can also enjoy a cup of tea in the cafe.

The owner has been photographing Fuji as his life's work and often holds exhibitions in France. The café is decorated with French antiques, creating a relaxed atmosphere where art and nature blend together. On fine days, seating in the courtyard is recommended. You can enjoy your tea time while looking out at the pristine nature of Gora.
The cafe also offers "Salon de Photo," where you can take a simple lesson on how to use your camera. A cake set is available at the end of the lesson.

President de Ruf
  • Address 1300-432 Gora, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
  • Direction A short walk from Hakone Tozan Railway Cable Car Koenoshita Station
  • Direction Take a bus from Hakone Tozan Railway Hakone-yumoto Station, get off at Gora Station, and walk about 4 minutes.
  • Business Hours 10:00-17:30 (L.O. 17:00)
  • Regular holiday Tuesdays and the 3rd Monday of the month (open if the day falls on a national holiday) *Closed temporarily (check website)
  • Phone 0460-82-2717
  • Parking None
  • Memo Salon de foto 3,450 yen (reservation required) Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Temporary closing days also available, please check the website.

Handmade cakes and specialty coffee in a store with a photo studio

Tokotoko Mountain Trains Pound Cake
Tokotoko Mountain Trains Pound Cake" 715 yen, "Gora Ajiwai Blend Coffee" 605 yen

This café is attached to a long-established photo studio established in 1919. The pound cake with a motif of a mountain climbing train, invented by the mother of the current owner, who is the fourth generation, is very popular. The cookie on the side is decorated with icing and chocolate pen. The cake inside is filled with dried fruits. The coffee is from Horiguchi Coffee, a specialty coffee shop with outlets in Tokyo and other cities, and each cup is carefully brewed by paper drip for a rich, deep aroma.

A large collection of rare old photographs are on display for your viewing pleasure.

Commemorative photos of guests taken by the current owner and photos of Hakone's four seasons are also on display.
Commemorative photos of guests taken by the current owner and photos of Hakone's four seasons are also on display.

The store is bright and homey, full of warmth and handmade atmosphere, and is decorated with old photos everywhere. The shop is decorated with old photographs taken between the Taisho and Showa eras, including the works of the first owner, who excelled at taking pictures of Hakone's scenery. Each of the photographs offers a glimpse into the history of Hakone. There is also an album of photos taken from the same location in the past and present, which some guests forget to look at for a long time.
Located on the "Park Slope" leading to Hakone Gora Park, where you can enjoy flowers and art, this is a perfect place to take a break during a stroll.

Studio Cafe Shima
  • Address 1300-280 Gora, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
  • Direction 1 minute walk from Gora Station on Hakone Tozan Railway
  • Direction Take a bus from Hakone Tozan Railway Hakone-Yumoto Station, get off at Gora Station, and walk about 1 minute.
  • Hours 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
  • Regular holiday Cafe is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and photo studio is closed on Thursdays (temporary closures may occur depending on the shoot) *Reservations required for Wednesday shoots.
  • Phone 0460-82-2749
  • Parking Free (1 car)

A "delicious tea store" by the lake where you can enjoy the resort atmosphere.

HAKONE Mill Sandwich
HAKONE Mill Sandwich" with fruit sandwiched in pie dough: 1,450 yen, "Original Drink": 860 yen (tax included)

This dessert restaurant is directly managed by the hotel and is located in the annex of the Odakyu Mountain Hotel on the shores of Lake Ashinoko. It offers a sophisticated menu of teas, sweets, and light meals. The restaurant is certified by the Japan Tea Association as a "delicious tea store," and offers top-quality teas, especially Darjeeling, picked at some of the best tea gardens in Japan. Rosage's original blend using tea leaves from Shizuoka is also popular, and its mellow aroma is sure to satisfy even the most discerning tea connoisseur. For sweets, we recommend the "Hakone Mill Sandwich," a cute-looking one-handed sweet made with a crispy pie crust baked in the store and served with fruit sandwiched in between.

A perfect location nestled in the bosom of nature

A beautiful view of sparkling Lake Ashi can be seen outside the window.
A beautiful view of sparkling Lake Ashi can be seen outside the window.

The famous restaurant by Lake Ashi, which has been popular with many people since its opening, will undergo a major renovation in April 2026 under the concept of "a lakeside café in Hakone where flowers and nature are in harmony. The interior of the restaurant features gorgeous floral decorations reminiscent of the garden at the Odakyu Mountain Hotel and an impressive interior made of driftwood that evokes the natural beauty of Hakone. The second floor has new counter seating overlooking Lake Ashinoko, where you can enjoy a peaceful time with a view of the lake through the glass windows.

Flower Cafe Salon de Thé Rosage
  • Address 80 Moto Hakone, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
  • Direction Approximately 25 minutes by car from Hakone Tozan Railway Hakone-Yumoto Station
  • Direction by bus From Hakone-Yumoto Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus Route K bound for "Mountain Hotel". 1 minute walk from the last stop.
  • Business Hours 10:00-17:00 (L.O. 16:00)
  • Regular holiday Open all year round (with occasional closures for maintenance)
  • Phone 0460-83-6321 (Mountain Hotel Representative)
  • Parking Free

A café with a spectacular view where you can enjoy bread and coffee from a very popular bakery.

Coffee
Coffee" and "Berry and Yogurt Smoothie" from 627 yen (tax not included)

Located right in front of Lake Ashinoko's sightseeing boat pier, the store is always crowded with tourists, with a bakery on the first floor, a café on the second floor, and a coffee bar on the third floor. We recommend that you buy freshly baked bread from the bakery, which is now a Lake Ashinoko's specialty, go up to the third floor, order a drink, and enjoy it at your leisure. You can choose from a wide variety of drinks to go with the bread, such as coffee, lattes, seasonal soups, and smoothies, all brewed by baristas. The large windows facing the lake offer a panoramic view of Lake Ashi and a stunning seasonal view.

In addition to bread, original goods are also sold. You can even enjoy a footbath!

Early arrival is recommended, as there is often a line of customers waiting in line even before the store opens.
Early arrival is recommended, as there is often a line of customers waiting in line even before the store opens.

The bakery on the first floor attracts many people as soon as it opens at 9:00 am. It is common to see people enjoying a relaxing morning in the resort-like atmosphere. The bakery also sells original jams and sundries, making it the perfect place to find stylish souvenirs.
A footbath with hot spring water from "Moto Hakone Hot Spring" is located on the premises near the entrance. It is a wonderful experience to soak in the hot spring with a loaf of bread from the bakery or a drink from the attached parlor and enjoy the view of the lakeside.

Bakery&Table Hakone
  • Address 9-1 Moto-Hakone, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
  • Direction Approximately 25 minutes by car from Hakone Tozan Railway Hakone-Yumoto Station
  • Direction Take a bus from Hakone Tozan Railway Hakone-Yumoto Station and get off at "Moto Hakone Port".
  • Business Hours Café 9:00-17:00 (L.O.16:30) / Bakery 9:00-17:00 / Footbath 10:00-17:00 *Opening hours vary by floor, please check the website for details.
  • Closed Days Open daily
  • Phone 0460-85-1530
  • Parking None

Enjoy original sweets at this Japanese-style cafe

Honjin Dango
Honjin Dango" with three kinds of dango and cut rice cake 1,330 yen (tax not included)

This Japanese-style building stands near "Hakone Sekisho" on the shore of Lake Ashi. The name of the second-floor café, "Komon," is derived from the pattern of the waves that form a circle on the surface of the lake. Fuji, which changes its appearance depending on the time of day and the direction of the wind, and enjoy the original menu in a relaxing atmosphere.
The specialty, "Honjin Dango," consists of three kinds of dango (green tea, black sesame, and white) that you can bake yourself on the shichirin and add your favorite toppings such as mitarashi and adzuki bean paste.

Relaxing atmosphere with modern Japanese interior

A magnificent view of the lake from the window that you will never get tired of seeing.
A magnificent view of the lake from the window that you will never get tired of seeing.

The special pancakes are not only photo-worthy but also taste great. The pancakes are popular because they are freshly cooked and hot. The batter is matcha green tea flavor with azuki beans arranged on the surface. The spacious 74-seat restaurant is decorated in a Japanese style, making it a relaxing place to spend time.
The "Chaya Honjin Kuroya" on the first floor is lined with long-established souvenir stores in the Odawara area, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an inn town. You can find local delicacies in a space that feels like a time slip back in time.

Tea House Honjin Horiwaya cafe KOMON
  • Address 161-1 Hakone, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
  • Direction Approximately 25 minutes by car from Hakone Tozan Railway Hakone-Yumoto Station
  • Direction Take a bus from Hakone Tozan Railway Hakone-yumoto Station and get off at Hakone-cho Port.
  • Business hours 10:30-16:00 (Meals L.O. 15:30), Souvenir store 9:30-17:00 *Hours may change depending on the season.
  • Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  • Phone 0460-83-6711
  • Parking Free

Elegant tea time in the salon car of the Orient Express, whose interior was decorated by René Lalique.

Tea time in the luxurious interior is a moment of bliss.
Tea time in the luxurious interior is a moment of bliss.

This café was built in the salon car of the "Orient Express," a luxury train running in Europe. The works of French craftsman René Lalique, who designed the train's interior decorations, are on display at the Hakone Lalique Museum, which attracts visitors.
Applications are accepted at any time at the local Restaurant counter on the day of the tour. Enjoy a 40-minute ride with a tea set. Desserts, prepared by a patissier, are seasonal delicacies. Beverages are available in hot coffee, tea, and herbal tea, and can be ordered iced only during the summer season.

View historical artworks up close.

Decorative panel
Decorative panel "Statues and Grapes. The panel with reliefs of grapes and men and women, inspired by the myth of Bacchus, the god of wine, expresses the abundant harvest

Around the age of 50, Lalique switched from jewelry to glass artisan and began working on interior decorations. The glass panels were made in 1928, when Lalique was 68 years old. The glass panels that cover the interior of the room skillfully manipulate the reflections of light to create a luxurious and refined space.
Most of the interior and furnishings, including the glass panels decorating the walls, tables, and chairs, are from the period. Visitors can enjoy a luxurious tea time as if they were traveling on the Orient Express, as they lean back in their chairs while listening to the commentary of a dedicated crew member.

Orient Express
  • Address 186-1 Sengokuhara, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture (Hakone Lalique Museum of Art) MAP
  • Direction Approximately 14 minutes by car from Gora Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway
  • Direction Take a bus from Gora Station of Hakone Tozan Railway and get off at Hakone Lalique Art Museum.
  • Business hours 10:00 - 15:00 (Reception at any time/takes about 40 minutes)
  • Regular holiday 11 days from the day after Coming-of-Age Day
  • Admission Fee 2,750 yen (with tea set)
  • Phone 0460-84-2262 (Hakone Emoa Terrace)
  • Parking Free
  • Memo Available at the Restaurant counter on the day of the tour, no reservations by phone.

MAP

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*The information provided is current as of the article’s update date. Please check in advance before visiting, as details are subject to change.