When you think of Hakone, many people might think of hot springs and art museums, but the beautiful gardens adorned with flowers of all seasons are also a major attraction of this area. On this early summer trip to Hakone, I visited the famous garden known as one of Hakone's representative gardens.Hakone Gora Park」 。
Opened in 1914, Gora Park is known as the first French-style formal garden in Japan and is one of Hakone's leading tourist spots with a history of over 100 years. Built utilizing the slopes of the mountain, the park features a beautiful symmetrical landscape, and the flowers and trees that change with the seasons delight visitors. With cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, roses in early summer, and autumn leaves in fall, it is a popular spot where you can discover different charms no matter how many times you visit throughout the year.
The entrance fee for Gora Park is 650 yen (tax included) for adults. Children under elementary school age are admitted free of charge, and it's also great that you can enter for free if you show a valid Hakone Free Pass or other eligible train tickets.
A historic garden in harmony with the nature of Hakone.
Upon entering the park, the first thing you'll see is a park map. Since the park is spacious and has many points of interest scattered throughout, it's recommended to check the map to get an overview of the layout before starting your stroll.
We headed to the rose garden near the west gate, which was our main objective for this trip.
A stroll while enjoying the seasonal flowers.
If you are visiting with your dog, you are welcome to bring a pet stroller into the park. However, since Gora Park is a garden built on a sloping terrain, there are many stairs and steps within the park. In some places, you may need to lift the stroller to move around, so a small dog or a lightweight stroller would allow you to enjoy your stroll with relative ease.
The fountain pond in the center of the park is one of Gora Park's iconic photo spots.
The beautiful symmetrical landscape, characteristic of French formal gardens, is a highlight, and the open space invites you to stop and admire it. Under the blue sky, the water splashes sparkle, and the flowers and colorful parasols surrounding it create a vibrant atmosphere.
On this day, the sun was shining so brightly it was hard to believe it was early summer. Chocolat seemed to be feeling the heat a little, but when we reached the central fountain, the sparkling water and the sound of the fountain brought us some relief. Seeing Chocolat looking so happy in her pet stroller, surrounded by colorful flowers, made us smile too.
Seeking refuge from the strong sunlight, Chocolat takes a break under a brightly colored parasol. She also takes frequent sips of water and enjoys a leisurely rest in the pleasant breeze. By walking slowly and without rushing, you can appreciate the beauty of the flowers and the charm of the garden even more.
The crisp air and refreshing breeze of Hakone welcome you warmly, and the neatly maintained flowerbeds, fountains, and cobblestone paths create an elegant atmosphere, as if you've stepped into a European garden. As you proceed to the center of the garden, a magnificent symbolic tree, approximately 100 years old, stands proudly, its presence so striking that you can't help but stop in your tracks. Early summer, when the greenery of the trees becomes even more vibrant, is a pleasant time to simply stroll around, making it the perfect season to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend some relaxing time.
A rose garden enveloped in color and fragrance
The rose garden, which was also the destination of this trip, is a beautiful spot that truly symbolizes Gora Park in early summer. As you step into the garden, the sweet and elegant scent of roses drifts gently on the breeze.
The moment you pass through the rose arch, you feel as if you've stepped into a scene from a picture book or a movie.
The garden is planted with various varieties of roses, and the sight of the colorful flowers in full bloom—red, pink, yellow, orange, white, and more—is simply breathtaking. Each flower has a different shape, fragrance, and blooming style, and appreciating the individuality of each bloom is one of the joys of rose viewing.
As you stop to admire each rose and stroll slowly, captivated by their beauty, even the passage of time seems to slow down.
Walking while surrounded by a sea of vibrant flowers that fill your entire field of vision is a special moment that you don't often get to experience in everyday life.
The music hall, quietly situated on the upper level of the garden, feels like a prime vantage point overlooking the entire landscape. Below, vibrant roses bloom in profusion, and beyond them, a graceful scene unfolds with the sparkling fountains. As you slowly gaze upon the scenery while a gentle early summer breeze blows through, you can feel as if you've stepped into a European garden.
As you make your way to the back of the garden, admiring the blooming roses, you'll see the West Gate ahead. The path you walk along, immersed in the lingering beauty of the flowers, feels somehow tranquil, and the sound of trees swaying in the early summer breeze is soothing. The combination of splendor and the tranquility of nature is one of the unique charms of Gora Park.
Viewing the garden from a hilltop reveals a different face than when strolling through it. The beautiful scenery, a tapestry of colorful roses and fountains, is stunning, as is the majestic presence of the symbolic tree standing in the center of the garden. Its presence, which you might not have noticed when looking up, makes you stop and admire it in awe.
The rose garden boasts approximately 200 varieties and 1,000 rose bushes, with vibrant flowers blooming across the slopes. Around the music hall at the top of the garden, you'll find royal roses associated with the Imperial family, such as "Princess Michiko" and "Princess Aiko," making it a delightful place to stroll and search for your favorite bloom.
The rose arch, a symbol of the rose garden, invites visitors into an elegant corridor of flowers.
The roses were just a little ways from being in full bloom, but the vibrant orange climbing roses had begun to open, giving us a sense of anticipation for the gorgeous season to come.
When I held a parasol over Chocolat to shield her from the dazzling sunlight, she looked as if she had jumped right out of a picture book. Perhaps drawn in by her cuteness, a French tourist couple passing by asked, "May we take a picture?" This little interaction that took place in the beautiful gardens of Hakone is one of the unforgettable memories of this trip.
Standing before a profusion of blooming roses, one naturally slows their pace. Their vibrant colors captivate the eye, and enveloped in their sweet fragrance carried on the breeze, one finds themselves mesmerized by the unique beauty of each individual bloom.
While I was engrossed in admiring the beauty of the rose garden, Chocolat kept a watchful eye on her surroundings from inside her pet stroller, remaining vigilant like a guard dog (lol). We each enjoyed the early summer garden from our own perspectives.
The sight of bright red roses shining in the sunlight is naturally captivating.
As you gaze upon its passionate beauty, it's as if you can hear the melody of "La Vie en Rose" coming from somewhere. Just as the name "La Vie en Rose" suggests, even the scenery unfolding before your eyes seems to take on a gentle hue, creating a moment that fills your heart with joy.
After enjoying the rose garden, head to the cafe located within the park.Isshikido Tea House"fart.
The terrace seating at "Isshiki-do Saro" located within the park is dog-friendly. In this open space surrounded by lush greenery, a gentle breeze blows through, allowing you to feel close to the nature of Hakone. From the terrace, you can admire the colorful flowers and abundant greenery, and the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves are a pleasant sound to your ears. Although it is in the middle of a tourist area, there is a sense of time slowing down, and you are enveloped in a peaceful atmosphere that makes you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
This time, I headed to the front of the shop to get their popular "Rose Soft Serve" ice cream for takeout.
However, as I looked at the menu, the words "Cash only" caught my eye. I was taken aback and blurted out "What!?". I didn't have any cash with me that day, so I had no choice but to go back to my car in the parking lot to get it. But strangely enough, my steps were light when it came to the sweet treat I had been looking forward to (lol). Just to be sure, I explained the situation to the gatekeeper and asked, "Is it alright if I go to the parking lot and come back?" He kindly replied, "No problem," and guided me in. Such warm hospitality is always appreciated when traveling. Thanks to him, I was able to leave the park with peace of mind and successfully enjoy the rose soft serve ice cream I had been craving.
What made me even happier was the unexpected comment from the staff member who had witnessed the exchange. "I added a little extra for you," they said. When I looked at the rose soft serve ice cream they handed me, it seemed like it was a little bigger than before. I couldn't help but smile, and the fatigue from walking back and forth to the parking lot vanished. When traveling, it's not just the beautiful scenery and delicious food that leave a lasting impression, but also the small interactions with people. It was a bit of a detour, but thanks to their kind consideration, the rose soft serve ice cream tasted even more special.
Under the early summer sun, surrounded by the scent of roses, I savored a rewarding soft-serve ice cream. And it was a moment of warm hospitality. Even now, looking back, it remains a particularly memorable and heartwarming memory from my time spent at Gora Park.
Rose soft serve ice cream 500 yen
The pale pink soft-serve ice cream is garnished with rose petals, making it incredibly cute to look at. The subtle rose fragrance is elegant, the sweetness is just right, and its gorgeous appearance makes it a perfect treat to capture in photos and create lasting travel memories!
This is "Cafe Pic," situated on a hill overlooking the fountain pond. From the terrace, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the central fountain pond and the beautifully maintained gardens, and spend a relaxing time feeling the refreshing breeze of early summer. Popular items include the signature "Goraen Curry," "Homemade Ginger Ale," and "Herbal Tea," making it the perfect place to take a break during your stroll through the gardens.
In the tranquil atmosphere of the fountain pond, I was able to slowly enjoy the scenery created by Hakone's nature and flowers.
The park offers hands-on crafting experiences.Hakone Craft HouseThere is also this:
The sound of wind chimes swaying in the breeze creates a refreshing atmosphere.
This is a popular spot for hands-on workshops where you can create lasting memories of your Hakone trip, such as glassblowing, pottery, and lampwork bead making. Under the guidance of artisans, you can create a one-of-a-kind piece, and the unique charm of Gora Park lies in being able to enjoy not only nature and flowers but also time for creative expression.
A casual stop during your stroll through the park might lead you to an unexpected favorite. Searching for small souvenirs to take home as mementos of your trip is one of the unique pleasures of Gora Park.
The octagonal brick building is impressive.Dragonfly Bead WorkshopAt this workshop, you can experience making glass beads using a variety of colors and create your own unique accessories and straps. Choosing the colors and patterns of the glass is also a fun part of the experience, making it a popular spot to create lasting memories of your trip. It's a warm and inviting place that you'll want to stop by while strolling around the park.
A relaxing time surrounded by flowers in early summer in Hakone
The historic garden scenery, Hakone's abundant nature, seasonal plants, and the leisurely pace of time all come together to gently soothe the hearts of visitors. The rose garden in early summer, in particular, is a special space unique to this season, where you can stroll surrounded by colorful roses and their elegant fragrance. It's not only worth stopping by during a trip to Hakone, but its beauty makes it well worth a visit specifically for the rose garden. The time I spent surrounded by the scent of roses and the refreshing early summer breeze is one of the most memorable moments of this Hakone trip. For those seeking to escape from their busy daily lives and find healing in flowers and nature, this is a must-visit Hakone landmark.
Hakone Gora Park
Address: 1300 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0408
TEL: 0460-82-2825
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Opening hours:
March to November
9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
December to February
9:30-16:30 (last entry 16:00)
Closed days: Open all year round (※Closed three times a year for maintenance)
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