Last updated: October 2026
Hakone — Traveler Guide
Central 4- and 5-star hotels in Hakone rated 8 or higher by guests, so you can walk back after midnight, plus what's on for New Year's Eve.
Quick Answer
Our top pick for New Year's Eve in Hakone is Hotel Zagakukan in Hakone Yumoto Onsen, rated 9.1 from 733 Booking.com reviews. Tsukino Yado Sara is a strong alternative at 9.0.
7 places · Checked October 2026
Hakone Yumoto Onsen
In Hakone Yumoto Onsen. Booking.com puts it about 110 m from the centre. Guests score it 9.1 out of 10 across 733 Booking.com reviews.
★ 9.1 guest score from 733 Booking.com reviews · Many rooms include free cancellation
Hakone Yumoto Onsen
In Hakone Yumoto Onsen. Booking.com puts it about 320 m from the centre. Guests score it 9.0 out of 10 across 517 Booking.com reviews.
★ 9.0 guest score from 517 Booking.com reviews · Many rooms include free cancellation
In Hakone. Booking.com puts it about 4.3 km from the centre. Guests score it 8.5 out of 10 across 1,033 Booking.com reviews.
★ 8.5 guest score from 1,033 Booking.com reviews · Many rooms include free cancellation
Hakone
In Hakone. Booking.com puts it about 4.8 km from the centre. Guests score it 9.4 out of 10 across 141 Booking.com reviews.
★ 9.4 guest score from 141 Booking.com reviews · Many rooms include free cancellation
Hakone
In Hakone. Booking.com puts it about 5 km from the centre. Guests score it 8.3 out of 10 across 705 Booking.com reviews.
★ 8.3 guest score from 705 Booking.com reviews · Many rooms include free cancellation
Gora Onsen
In Gora Onsen. Booking.com puts it about 5.1 km from the centre. Guests score it 8.9 out of 10 across 2,429 Booking.com reviews.
★ 8.9 guest score from 2,429 Booking.com reviews · Many rooms include free cancellation
Gora Onsen
In Gora Onsen. Booking.com puts it about 5.1 km from the centre. Guests score it 9.0 out of 10 across 797 Booking.com reviews.
★ 9.0 guest score from 797 Booking.com reviews · Many rooms include free cancellation
About This Guide
New Year is Japan's biggest holiday, and in Hakone it is quiet and traditional. At midnight there is a free fireworks display over Lake Ashi at Hakone Shrine, and on 1 January people make their first shrine visit of the year. On 2 and 3 January the Hakone Ekiden university relay race climbs the mountain.
Dates and times change from year to year, so check the organiser's listing before you travel.
How we picked: these are 4- and 5-star hotels in Hakone rated 8 or higher by Booking.com guests, listed closest to the centre first so you can walk back after midnight. Checked in October 2026.
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Common Questions
Yes. A free fireworks display over Lake Ashi in front of Hakone Shrine begins at midnight on 1 January and lasts about 15 minutes.
It is the first shrine or temple visit of the year, a New Year tradition in Japan. Hakone Shrine is a popular destination from 1 January.
Expect crowds, especially on 1 to 3 January when the Ekiden also runs. Book accommodation and reserved train seats early.
barhotel Hakone Kazan has the highest score of the places in this guide for New Year's Eve: 9.4 out of 10 from 141 Booking.com reviews (checked October 2026).
Prices and availability change daily. Lock in the best rate by booking early — most of our top picks offer free cancellation.
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