Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands is a wonderful spot to enjoy the various plants that grow in the wetlands and bogs. With its abundance of nature and seasonal flowers, it has become one of Hakone’s popular tourist destinations. While people can enjoy many kinds of plants and flowers throughout the year, it is highly encouraged to go and see the beautiful colors of the leaves in autumn, and the Mizubasho that can be seen during the summer.
Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands
The Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands is original in that it's centered on plants growing in wetlands such as swamps and bogs. From the lowlands to the high mountains, there are 200 species of wetland plants, as well as 1,100 species of grasslands, forests and alpine plants from all over Japan growing inside the park. In addition, there are about 1,700 species of plants that bloom seasonal flowers, including rare wildflowers that are not native to Japan.
Visitors can view the greenery from the lowlands to high mountains, going in order from the younger to the more developed wetlands using the garden path course, making it a great place to enjoy a wide variety of beautiful seasonal flowers and greenery. To complete the full course at a strolling pace takes roughly 40 minutes. Inside the park there is a gallery where tourists can enjoy photographs and videos of the plants on site, which takes about 20 minutes.
Highlights of the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands
The main highlight of the botanical garden is its diversity of greenery and flowers. The wetland area offers 200 species of plants from various parts of Japan, as well as 1,100 species of alpine plants, and about 1,700 species of other vegetation. This area also includes non-native rare plants and flowers. Here, visitors can enjoy flowers from season to season, but the Mizubasho is especially popular. Also known as the Asian Skunk Cabbage, 20,000 of these aquatic plants live in the garden, and many visit to witness their beauty.
Opening Period of the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands
The opening period of Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands is from early March to the end of November. The garden closes in the winter months from December 1st until early to mid-March due to a lack of flowers during the season. Admission time is from is from 9:00 to 17:00. Final entry to the park is at 16:30.
Accessing the Garden
From Tokyo: Ride from Shinagawa Station to Odawara Station either by Shinkansen or JR Line and get off at Odawara Station.From Odawara Station, take the Hakone Tozan Railway and get off at Hakone Yumoto Station. From Hakone Yumoto Station, take the Hakone Tozan Railway bound for Gora and get off at Gora Station. To the park, take the Hakone Tozan Bus from Gora Station (about 30 minutes) to the final stop, Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands, and walk a short distance.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands/Hakone Shisseikaen
- Street Address: 817 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Access: From Gora Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus bound for "Hakone Shisseikaen" and get off at the final stop (30min)
- Wi-Fi : Unavailable
- Language: Japanese Only
- Ticket: On-site only
- Credit cards：No credit cards accepted
Comments