Those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of Japan's big cities will find what they are looking for in a hot-spring paradise hidden deep in a forest.
Located about 90 kilometers west of Tokyo, Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture is a famous onsen (hot springs) resort area located on a mountain region bordering Mount Fuji and encompassing the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
At present, a total of 17 hot-spring resorts are listed in Hakone, including the Hakone Yumoto, Tonosawa, Miyanoshita, Gora and Kowakudani spas. Each has its own unique attributes, and the medicinal qualities of the hot-spring's waters are rich and varied.