Located in Hakone in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture, Dogashima Valley is a spot where you can enjoy the great nature with a ravine, suspension bridge, and hot springs.
This area has been famous as one of the four hot springs (Miyanoshita, Sokokura, Kiga, and Dogashima) of Hakone’s seven hot springs since the Edo period (1603-1868), and has been a bustling place.
With the opening of the Fujiya Hotel, the number of foreign tourists increased, and even today, the buildings from that time still exist and a nostalgic townscape can be seen.
Let’s take a look at the highlights of Dogashima Valley!
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What makes Dogashima Valley attractive
While the natural beauty of the valley is of course its main attraction, its lack of popularity is perhaps its main draw.
Hakone is famous as one of the most popular resort areas in the Kanto region, dotted with hot springs and museums, but few people go out of their way to hike there.
Dogashima Valley in the morning is especially quiet. Just walking in the nature will refresh you.
The promenade is about 2 km long, and it takes less than an hour even if you walk slowly. The rivers in the Tokyo metropolitan area are not very clean, but you will be surprised at the clarity of the water in the Hakone area.
You can take a break at the huge rocks lying along the clear stream, capture the flow of the water with your camera, or take a commemorative photo at the suspension bridge.
The exit of the trail is near the Kiga Onsen Entrance bus stop. After hiking, it is time for a hot spring bath.
A short walk in the direction of Miyanoshita and a 6- or 7-minute bus ride from the Hotel Mae bus stop will take you to the Hakone Kowakuen Unessan hot springs recreational facility.
The hot spring baths, which can be enjoyed in swimsuits, are recommended for families and couples.
Restaurants and Resting Places
Restrooms are located near the Awamatanotaki bus stop.
Restaurants, cafes, and Japanese restaurants are scattered throughout the Miyanoshita and Kiga areas, so you can make your choice according to your mood. There are no restrooms in Dogashima Valley.
Nearby Sightseeing Spots
There are many different sightseeing spots in the Miyanoshita/Kiga area, but the one I would recommend most is the The Hakone Open-Air Museum.
Not only are sculptures of different sizes displayed on the vast grounds, but you can also see a fantastic 18 meter high tower made of stained glass, and rare Picasso ceramics and sculptures.
Food and drink are allowed on the grounds, so if the weather is good, you can find your favorite spot and have a relaxing lunch.
Location
From Shinjuku Station, take the Odakyu Romance Car for about one hour to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
From there, you can take a bus or mountain railway to Miyanoshita Station, the starting point of the valley, but we recommend taking the bus, which takes about 15 minutes if there is no traffic jam.
The entrance to the valley is reached by walking down the side road of the Hakone Ginyu Hotel.
See Also
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