Hakone Photography Guide with the most epic photo locations

Hakone Heiwa no Torii

Capturing Tranquility at Sunrise in Hakone

To reach this Hakone photo spot, start a photo journey to Heiwa no Torii, a wonderful gate at the water in Hakone, Japan, hidden away in the peaceful scenery. The photo spot is located directly beneath the shrine at the shore of Lake Ashi.
To avoid long lines at Heiwa no Torii, plan your visit for the hours around sunrise. The soft morning light casts a lovely glow on the torii gate and the area around it despite the nearby mountains blocking the sunrise. If you choose this time, you’ll have the place almost all to yourself, which will make for a more engaging photography experience.

For a good starting point for the entire area, make parking lot P3 your first pick if you want to save money on parking fees. P3 offers free parking throughout the day and is mostly available in the morning and afternoon.

Canon EOS R5 with RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM | 24mm | f8.0 | 1/60s | ISO100

Canon EOS R5 with RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM | 35mm | f6.3 | 1/320s | ISO100

Mount Fuji View Point

Capturing Sunset Backlight and Sunrise Glow of Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji View Point is a hidden gem for photographers looking for the best place to catch Mount Fuji in Hakone. Finding the photo location is easy: just go to 35°11’59.5″N 139°01’54.8″E or follow this Google Maps link. The view from this spot is unbeatable, and your lens will be able to capture the beauty of Hakone Torii at the waterfront against the Mount Fuji background. Try out different compositions to show how the light and mood changes as the day goes on.
There aren’t any marked parking spots at the viewpoint. If you want to see the sunrise, you could drive up the hill and park on the street, but make sure not to block anyone or go onto private property. During other times of the day, you can park for free at lot P3 by the lake and take a 10-minute walk to the viewpoint. Watch out for the steep path if you are in a hurry.

Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 119mm | f8.0 | 1/125s | ISO320

Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 70mm | f2.8 | 1/8000s | ISO100

Plan this photo spot in Hakone for the beautiful times of sunset and sunrise to see Hakone Shrine Viewpoint. Its most magical. Take pictures of the beautiful backlight at dusk. It has a dramatic aura that frames Mount Fuji as a silhouette against the evening sky. You could also enjoy the warm glow of the first light at sunrise, which gives Mount Fuji a golden hue and shows off all the fine details of the scenery.
For the best framing and accuracy, get a lens that is about 70mm. With this focal length, you can get a clear, detailed photo of Mount Fuji and the scenery around it. Remember to bring your tripod. It will keep your camera steady during long shots during low-light times like sunrise and sunset, making sure your pictures are clear and beautiful.

Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 70mm | f8.0 | 1/250s | ISO100

Winding Road

Symphony of Colorful Serenity

This Hakone photo location is located in the eastern area of Motohakone. This winding road leads to beautiful scenery that begs to be captured by a drone – especially during fall, when the surrounding trees are in full color. To get to this one-of-a-kind photo spot, you need a car. It’s more convenient, and it gives you the freedom to drive around and look at the beautiful twists and turns. One to two hours after sunrise is the best time to take a picture because the valley will be illuminated, but the sun will still be hidden behind the mountains. This ensures a lack of harsh contrast.

DJI Mavic 3

The best place to park is on the upper part of the winding road, which is easily located at 35°12’29.5″N 139°03’24.7″E. A great spot is in a small holding bay before the winding street starts. Be warned not to drive any further down the road, because you can’t turn around your car until you reach the valley.

Another option for photographers who like to take a hike is to park at the Amasake Tea House and start a 20-minute walk down.

The drone will give you an unique and interesting view of Hakone’s curvy roads, no matter which route you choose. It will add a new dimension to your photo journey in this beautiful Japanese paradise.

Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields

Nature's Palette Paints the Perfect Picture

The Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields in Hakone are breathtakingly beautiful in the fall. This photo spot in Hakone is located northwest of Lake Ashi. When it comes to visiting, the peaceful autumn afternoons are the best as the fields are in the shadow from morning until noon. In the afternoon the grass is bathed in a warm golden light, making it a great photo opportunity.

For the best pictures at this photo spot, you might want to use tele-lenses to get all the features of the grass fields. By zooming in, you can compress the landscape, separate individual strands, and bring out the beautiful fall colors. The soft sunlight will make the scenery look magical, and you’ll be able to make pictures that make people feel warm.

Canon EOS R5 with RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L USM | 300mm | f6.3 | 1/2000s | ISO200

Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 200mm | f2.8 | 1/8000s | ISO100

For less money, park in the official city parking lot, which is only 8 minutes’ walk from the main road (coordinates: 35°15’51.7″N 139°00’07.4″E). There are more expensive parking lots along the main road, but this secret tip will keep your costs low. Grab your telephoto lens, check out the free city parking, and enjoy the beauty of Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields in the fall. It’s a photographer’s dream location, right in the middle of Hakone.

Hakone Shrine

Capturing Serenity in Every Frame

The Hakone Shrine is a peaceful place for shooters to find inspiration and rest in the beautiful scenery of Hakone. This Hakone photo spot is always beautiful, which makes it a great place to take photos between sunrise and sunset. There is no fee to enter the grounds, so photographers can easily roam around and take pictures of the traditional Shinto architecture, the peaceful torii gates, and the overall peace and quiet of the shrine’s surroundings. Hakone Shrine is a beautiful place to take pictures, whether it’s early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light is soft and warm.

Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 95mm | f2.8 | 1/1000s | ISO100

Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 70mm | f2.8 | 1/160s | ISO100

Kamigawara Park at Sakura

Blossoms in the Breeze

Kamigawara Park in Hakone turns into a flower garden when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. During the cherry blossom season, this photo spot in Hakone looks like something out of a dream. However, because Kamigawara Park is so famous, the mornings are less crowded with people who have come to see this natural show. The cherry blossoms look magical as the sun comes up and paints the sky with dawn colours. They make a beautiful background for photography.

Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 200mm | f2.8 | 1/1600s | ISO100

Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 70mm | f3.2 | 1/4000s | ISO100

Pola Museum of Art

Every Stroke Tells a Story of Elegance and Grace

The Pola Museum of Art in Hakone is set between the beautiful Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields and the charming town of Gora. It is a place to experience amazing works of art, modern architecture and beautiful nature.

The café stands out as a great place to take photos because of its wide windows enabling a view on an the red autumn scenary – which looks like a painting itself. It’s important to know, though, that photography isn’t allowed in the exhibition halls. For the price of 1,800 yen, you can see a lot of drawn art. Besides that, there is a 500-yen parking fee. Alternativly, a bus stop is directly in front of the museum.

Canon EOS R5 with RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM | 26mm | f8.0 | 1/125s | ISO320

Canon EOS R5 with RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM | 15mm | f8.0 | 1/80s | ISO100

If you like nature and want to do something different, check out the beautiful nature trail way right outside the building. There is no fee to walk along this beautiful trail, and it’s especially beautiful in the autumn when the maple trees paint the area with bright colours. For art lovers, the Pola Museum of Art is a great place to go, whether they’re interested in the works of art themselves or the natural beauty that surrounds them.