Hakone Gourmet Guide | Best Must-Eat Foods & Restaurants
Wondering what to eat when visiting Hakone? Finding the best culinary spots is undoubtedly high on every traveler's itinerary. Beyond its world-famous hot springs and stunning scenery, Hakone boasts an incredible variety of distinctive local cuisine and specialties.
In this guide, I have put together 15 must-try food spots in Hakone, covering everything from sit-down restaurant meals and traditional delicacies to street snacks, complete with a handy Hakone Food Map. Let's dive right in and explore what to eat!
1. Yubadon Naokichi (湯葉丼 直吉)
This is arguably the most recommended dining spot in Hakone, specializing in dishes made with "yuba (tofu skin)". Their signature "Yuba Don" uses tofu skin crafted with Hakone's pristine natural spring water. Silky smooth in texture and simmered with an egg in a sizzling earthenware pot with a flavorful dashi broth, it offers an unforgettable taste. Aside from the rice bowl, you can also savor yuba tempura and other tofu skin dishes—definitely worth waiting in line for.
（Photo by HACOODA）
2. Tamura Ginkatsutei (田むら銀かつ亭)
Established in 1973, this legendary restaurant in Gora is famous for its "Tofu Katsu-ni (simmered tofu cutlet)". Savory minced pork is sandwiched between delicate local tofu, deep-fried cutlet-style, and then simmered in a sweet sukiyaki dashi with egg. It is wonderfully crispy on the outside yet melt-in-your-mouth tender inside. They also serve standard tonkatsu and udon, making it an absolute must-try specialty in Hakone.
（Photo by HACOODA）
3. Hakone Gin-dofu (箱根銀豆腐)
Located right across from Gora Station, this historic tofu shop is so renowned that it supplies tofu to many nearby ryokan inns and top restaurants. Its greatest star is the freshly scooped "Shakuri Tofu", made with Hakone's pure groundwater for a warm, creamy, and refreshing mouthfeel. In addition, you can try tofu waffles, tofu soft-serve ice cream, firm cotton tofu, silky tofu, and deep-fried tofu slices. Because it is extremely popular, lines are common, so arriving early is recommended.
（Photo by 小田急トラベル）
4. Jinenjo Restaurant Yamagusuri (自然薯農家レストラン 山薬)
Situated in the scenic Sengokuhara valley, this specialty restaurant highlights Hakone's prized "jinenjo (Japanese wild mountain yam)". The top recommendation is the "Mugitoro Gozen", where intensely sticky and flavorful grated wild yam is blended with raw egg yolk, served over steaming barley rice alongside local wild herbs and grilled horse mackerel. The shop also prepares creative yam dishes like deep-fried yam tofu and salads, showcasing the wonderful versatility of mountain yam.
（Photo by 自然薯農家レストラン 山薬）
5. Yamahiko Zushi (やまひこ鮨)
This venerable sushi spot in Gora is celebrated for its fresh local seafood, particularly rainbow trout sourced directly from Lake Ashi and specialty catches from Sagami Bay. The head chef brings over 35 years of sushi-making expertise, delivering exquisite flavor alongside gorgeous presentation. Their lunch-exclusive seafood bowls (kaisendon), grilled tuna jaw, and curated sake selections are widely praised. Prices lean slightly higher, making it ideal for those seeking a refined Japanese dining experience.
（Photo by やまひこ鮨）
6. Hatsuhana Soba Honten (はつ花そば 本店)
The signature dish at Hatsuhana Soba is their famous "Jinenjo Soba". In their noodle-making process, no water is added at all; only buckwheat flour, wild Japanese mountain yam, and farm-fresh eggs are kneaded together using a proprietary recipe. Depending on the season, different preparations are available. Dishes like Seiro Soba and Tejo Soba are both deeply satisfying. It is the ultimate spot for authentic Japanese soba—even the Emperor of Japan has dined here!
（Photo by はつ花そば）
7. Owakudani Black Eggs (Kuro-tamago)
This is a volcanic specialty that you can only find in Hakone's geothermal valley, Owakudani. The famous black eggs get their jet-black shells from a chemical reaction when raw eggs are boiled in geothermal hot spring pools containing iron and sulfur. Inside, the egg remains silky, tender, and subtly infused with mineral aromas. Local folklore says eating just one black egg will add seven years to your life!
（You can purchase these black eggs right next door at the Owakudani Kurotama-kan for 500 yen for a pack of 4, complete with a pouch of salt, alongside plenty of exclusive Hakone souvenirs.）
8. Hakone Amazake-chaya (甘酒茶屋)
Operating continuously since the Edo period, this historic teahouse still retains its rustic thatched-roof wooden architecture. Its claim to fame is traditional amazake, crafted using heritage fermentation methods with zero added sugar or artificial additives. It is naturally sweet and velvety smooth. Despite having "sake" in its name, it is entirely non-alcoholic, making it perfectly safe for children. The freshly made daily Chikaramochi (grilled rice cakes) and Miso Oden Konjac are also huge hits, offering a wonderful taste of ancient travel culture along the Tokaido road!
（Photo by HACOODA）
9. Kagosei Kagoya Seijiro (籠屋清次郎)
Strolling along the bustling Hakone-Yumoto Shopping Street, you will almost always spot long queues outside this shop. Kagoya Seijiro, originally an artisan fish cake merchant under Kagosei, skyrocketed in popularity after launching its made-to-order deep-fried surimi fish cake skewers. The aroma drifting from the fryer makes it almost impossible for passersby to resist!
（Kagoya Seijiro offers a tempting variety of flavors such as sardine, onion, melted cheese, and mentaiko mayonnaise, alongside seasonal specials. The sweet onion skewer is my personal favorite and highly recommended!）
10. Kikugawa Shoten (菊川商店)
Located in Hakone-Yumoto, this established Japanese confectionery shop is beloved for its "Castella-yaki Hakone Manju". Unlike conventional steamed hot spring buns (onsen manju), these buns are baked with a fluffy castella sponge cake outer layer wrapping smooth white bean paste, blending Western sponge cake texture with traditional wagashi fillings. It is a fantastic treat for anyone wanting to try a modern twist on the classic onsen manju!
11. Yumochi Honpo Chimoto (ちもと)
Another treasured confectionery shop in Hakone-Yumoto with over 70 years of history, Chimoto is famous across Japan for its "Yumochi". Made from premium glutinous rice, Hakone spring water, and soft chunks of yokan (sweet bean jelly), this treat has a pillowy, melt-in-the-mouth texture often affectionately called the "Japanese marshmallow." Whether you want to enjoy tea sweets on-site or pick up high-end food souvenirs, this shop is a must-visit!
（Photo by ちもと）
12. La Terrazza Ashinoko (ラ・テラッツァ 芦ノ湖)
After so many traditional Japanese options, here is a fantastic Western dining spot! Perched right on the shores of Lake Ashi, this stylish Italian restaurant offers panoramic lake views alongside authentic Neapolitan pizzas baked in a pizza oven imported from Italy. With over 30 pizza varieties and seasonal dishes spotlighting local Hakone ingredients, it is the prime venue if you want to dine with breathtaking lake scenery.
（Photo by 旅うらら）
13. Tofudokoro Hagino (豆腐処 萩野)
Boasting a history of more than 200 years, this venerable Hakone tofu maker uses 100% domestic Japanese soybeans and natural mountain spring water to craft its tofu. They offer an impressive lineup of products, from fresh "Nama-Yuba (fresh tofu skin)" to innovative desserts like tofu ice cream and tofu puddings, allowing you to appreciate the purest essence of traditional tofu.
（Photo by 箱根ナビ）
14. Bakery & Table Motohakone
This three-story artisanal bakery café sits directly by the water, famous for treats like their "Bread & Soft-Serve Ice Cream Set" drizzled with honey and fresh pastries, as well as their crispy "Rice Flour Curry Doughnut". Beyond sandwiches, coffee, and gourmet burgers, the ground-floor outdoor terrace features a free footbath (ashiyu) fed by hot springs! Being able to soak your feet while savoring warm pastries and taking in views of Lake Ashi is pure bliss.
（Photo by Bakery & Table）
15. Kinosuke (喜之助)
Finally, here is a personal gem that I stumbled upon and thoroughly enjoyed. While it is not an exclusive Hakone specialty restaurant but rather a cozy local izakaya, their charcoal-grilled beef, skewers, and grilled dried fish are top-notch and reasonably priced. If you are looking for a satisfying dinner spot near Hakone-Yumoto Station, this place is well worth a visit!
Due to the heavy influx of travelers in Hakone, many popular eateries experience long wait lines during peak meal hours (even everyday casual diners get packed). Seats at well-known places go fast, so I strongly advise scheduling meal times slightly ahead of the rush.
◎ Hakone Gourmet Map
To help you navigate, I have marked all 15 recommended Hakone eateries as well as major sightseeing spots throughout Hakone and Kanto onto a customized Google Map. You can toggle the layers at your convenience. Feel free to bookmark and share it!
Map Link: Hakone Food & Attractions Map
That wraps up this complete introduction to Hakone's best foods! In addition to classic onsen town comforts, Hakone offers an array of dishes celebrating fresh local ingredients. Whether you are on a day trip or an overnight stay, there are more than enough delicious options to ensure an unforgettable culinary journey!