Gora Park Hakone
A charming Western-style botanical garden with French influences, featuring greenhouses, a craft house, and a central fountain.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Vibrant blooms & pleasant weather
Gora Park Hakone
Best Time
Vibrant blooms & pleasant weather
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming Western-style botanical garden with French influences, featuring greenhouses, a craft house, and a central fountain.
"A very well layed out park with French origins, much to see and enjoy."
🌸 Rose Ice Cream Delight
Don't miss the rose ice cream; it's a real value and a unique treat!
🎟️ Hakone Freepass Perks
The Hakone Freepass often grants free admission, making it a great deal.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Western-Style Gardens
Hillside
Explore charming French-inspired botanical gardens with seasonal blooms and picturesque landscaping.
Craft House Workshops
Within the park
Try your hand at glassblowing, pottery, or sandblasting for a unique, hands-on souvenir experience.
Central Fountain
Park center
A beautiful focal point, perfect for a relaxing moment with a coffee or lemonade.
Greenhouses
Various locations
Discover diverse plant life within well-maintained greenhouses, offering a splash of color year-round.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds: Go Early!
Hakone Free Pass Advantage
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🌸 Rose Ice Cream Delight
Don't miss the rose ice cream; it's a real value and a unique treat!
🎟️ Hakone Freepass Perks
The Hakone Freepass often grants free admission, making it a great deal.
☕ Relax by the Fountain
Grab a drink and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere around the central fountain.
⏰ Closes at 5 PM
Plan your visit accordingly as the park closes promptly at 5 PM.
Tips
from all over the internet
🌸 Rose Ice Cream Delight
Don't miss the rose ice cream; it's a real value and a unique treat!
🎟️ Hakone Freepass Perks
The Hakone Freepass often grants free admission, making it a great deal.
☕ Relax by the Fountain
Grab a drink and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere around the central fountain.
⏰ Closes at 5 PM
Plan your visit accordingly as the park closes promptly at 5 PM.
🚗 Ample Parking Available
If driving, you'll find convenient and ample parking spaces.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Gora Park is a charming and well-maintained garden with French-inspired landscaping, offering a peaceful escape. Visitors appreciate the craft workshops, pleasant facilities, and unique treats like rose ice cream. While some found the greenhouses could be better maintained, its accessibility and scenic beauty make it a worthwhile stop, especially with the Hakone Freepass.
"A very well layed out park with French origins. You don’t have to walk miles to see things but there is much to see and enjoy. Like any park or garden it does depend on the seasons as to what you see. The park is in Hakone high up in the hills which creates for a very unique climate and therefore an opportunity to see things which you would not see elsewhere at that time of year.
It has a really interesting craft centre, properly organised and run to quite a high level.
The shops and restaurants are not tacky in any way or ridiculously expensive.
Loved the rose ice cream real value for money especially with the coupon at the entrance!
Toilets and other facilities are way up to standard nothing old and just about to break or smelly!! And clean!!!
Easy to get to with ample parking areas. Station nearby if needed!"
Scobie-john LM-G
"Enjoy the silence and peacefulness in the Gora Park! Stopped by as part of the Hakone Free Pass and the place didn’t disappoint! Grab a coffee or lemonade and sit down by the fountain, walk in the green house or just wander around - this place is energising and making the hot weather more bearable!"
Dimi Rogatchev
"Small but charming park with many pretty flowers. It is within 5 minute walking distance of the cable car station. Has a ‘treasure box’ with a stamp for children to stamp their books. Closes at 5pm"
Luggage Outlet
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Gora Park is easily accessible via the Hakone Tozan Railway, with a cable car station conveniently located nearby. If you have the Hakone Free Pass, it covers most of the transport needed to reach the park.
Yes, there is ample parking available at Gora Park, making it a convenient option if you are traveling by car.
Absolutely! Gora Park is a popular destination for day trips from Tokyo. You can take the train to Hakone-Yumoto and then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway to reach Gora.
Many visitors recommend the 'Hakone Loop,' which utilizes various modes of transport like the Hakone Tozan Railway, cable car, ropeway, and pirate ship. Gora Park is a key stop along this route.
Yes, Gora Park is very well-connected by public transport. The Hakone Tozan Cable Car stops right at the park entrance, and it's also a short walk from the Gora Station.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission to Gora Park is often included with the Hakone Freepass. If you don't have the pass, there's usually a small entrance fee, but it's considered good value.
Gora Park typically closes at 5 PM, so plan your visit accordingly to make the most of your time there.
The Hakone Freepass is the most common way to get discounted or free entry. Some coupons might also be available at the entrance.
No, Gora Park has specific operating hours and closes at 5 PM, so evening visits are not possible.
If you plan to use multiple forms of transport in Hakone and visit several attractions, the Hakone Freepass is generally considered very worthwhile and often includes entry to Gora Park.
📸 📸 Photography
The central fountain, the various greenhouses, and the beautifully landscaped gardens offer numerous picturesque spots for photography. The hillside location also provides lovely views.
Yes, Gora Park is beautiful year-round. Spring and summer offer vibrant flowers, while winter provides a serene, elegant charm with its dormant beauty.
Generally, photography is allowed inside the greenhouses, but it's always good to be mindful of other visitors and avoid flash photography if it might disturb the plants or people.
Early mornings, especially on weekdays, offer softer light and fewer crowds, making it ideal for photography.
A standard zoom lens is versatile for capturing the gardens and architecture. A wide-angle lens can be useful for landscape shots, and a macro lens can highlight the details of the flowers.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, Gora Park has shops and restaurants that are not considered tacky or overly expensive. You can also find a charming tea house within the park.
Visitors have enjoyed the rose ice cream and found the tea house to be a pleasant spot for refreshments.
While not explicitly stated, it's generally acceptable to have a picnic in designated areas of parks in Japan, but it's best to check local guidelines or be discreet.
The Gora area has several restaurants and cafes, including those serving udon and sukiyaki, which are popular in Hakone.
Hakone offers a range of dining experiences, from traditional ryokan meals with kaiseki dinners to local specialties like udon, soba, and fresh seafood. +1
🎫 💡 Onsite Experience
You can stroll through the beautiful gardens, visit the greenhouses, try workshops at the Craft House, enjoy the central fountain, and relax at the tea house. +1
Yes, children can enjoy the park, especially the 'treasure box' with a stamp for their books. The open spaces and craft activities are also engaging.
A visit to Gora Park can range from 1 to 2 hours, depending on whether you participate in workshops or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll.
The facilities, including toilets, are well-maintained, clean, and up to standard, contributing to a comfortable visit.
Yes, Gora Park is known for its peacefulness and quiet beauty, making it an ideal spot to relax and escape the hustle and bustle.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The park's manageable size means you won't be covering vast distances, making it less tiring for little legs. Plus, the ice cream and refreshments are always a hit! 🚶 Solo Travelers
🎨 Art & Craft Enthusiasts
+1 Beyond the workshops, the park itself is a work of art, with its meticulously designed Western-style gardens and the elegant central fountain. +1 It's a place where you can appreciate both natural beauty and human creativity.Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Hakone Loop: A Scenic Journey
Many travelers find the Hakone Free Pass to be the most economical and convenient way to navigate the loop. This pass covers most of the transportation methods involved, and often includes free or discounted entry to attractions like Gora Park and the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Planning your loop to include Gora Park allows for a refreshing break amidst the sightseeing, offering beautiful gardens and a chance to engage in creative workshops.
While the loop is a fantastic way to see Hakone, it can get crowded, especially during peak seasons. To make the most of it, consider starting early in the morning and being strategic about your route. Some visitors opt for a more relaxed pace, spending a night in Hakone to fully immerse themselves in the onsen culture and explore at their leisure, rather than rushing through the loop in a single day.
Crafting Memories at the Hakone Craft House
The workshops available cater to different interests and skill levels. Popular options include glassblowing, where you can craft a beautiful piece of art; pottery painting and ceramics, allowing you to design your own dishware or decorative items; and sandblasting for intricate designs on glass. There are also workshops for creating glass beads. These activities are not only fun but also provide a tangible reminder of your trip.
+1Visitors often find the Craft House to be well-organized and run to a high standard. It's a great activity for families, couples, or solo travelers looking for a creative outlet. The experience of making something with your own hands, especially in a beautiful setting like Hakone, can be incredibly rewarding. Remember to check the workshop schedules and availability upon arrival, as some may require pre-booking or have limited spots.
Gora Park: A Garden for All Seasons
The park's location high in the Hakone hills contributes to a unique climate, allowing for the cultivation of diverse flora. The greenhouses within the park are a key feature, housing a variety of plants that add color and interest regardless of the outdoor season. These enclosed spaces are well-maintained and offer a pleasant escape, especially on cooler or rainy days.
Seasonal highlights include the vibrant rose garden which is best enjoyed in spring and summer, and the general lushness of the landscape during warmer months. However, the park's structured design, with its central fountain and manicured pathways, ensures it remains visually appealing even when flowers are not in season. It's a place where you can truly appreciate the beauty of nature and thoughtful garden design.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit