Hakone with ropeway closed?
 

We will be in Japan this fall and were thinking of taking a 2 night trip to Hakone from Tokyo. Purpose to relax, see some natural beauty, maybe some simple long walks.
But I understand there is a closed zone now due to volcanic threat and the Hakone ropeway is closed. Can you still easily see great views otherwise?
Is it still worth going to Hakone?
Thanks.

Owakudani (currently closed off) is certainly one of the major highlights of Hakone. And the best portion of Hakone Ropeway is currently closed. That said, there are many other highlights in Hakone. Hakone means different things to different people, but most people go there to enjoy onsen, R&R, nature (hiking, scenery, ambiance) and art/museums. Hakone is pretty much business as usual except for the aforementioned areas. On many of my trips to Hakone, I just stay in the lower part of Hakone and I still thoroughly enjoy my time there.

Thank you!

According to this news article, eruption warning was lifted three months ago but Owakudani has been kept closed to ensure safety.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/201...hakone-lifted/

Has there been any news since indicating possible re-opening? Or any hints whether the safety assurances would take months, years or eternity?

For me, the ropeway is a good part of the fun of visiting Hakone. There is apparently an alternate bus service to get around the closure but it isn't the same.

As to the museums, and I include the outdoor sculpture/art museum that is the most famous, they don't come across to me as worthy of a visit. There are a whole lot of junky museums -- The Little Prince museum, really? -- mainly there to sop up money from a Japanese crowd.

Thank you
 

We have decided to go to Hakone (Hyatt) for relaxation and to see what we can...

We went in November and still had a great time. It was a scenic area overall.
We stayed in a Ryokan, enjoyed the onsen and rode the cable car (not the ropeway) up the mountain. It was very interesting.

DELETED - Too confusing

I have no idea about who is referring to the Funicular and who is referring to the Funitels.

The rope way is the rope way and the cable car is the tozan densha. @:-)

Thank you. The Tozan railway and cable car look interesting. I will try to find a map to see where they are. I found the website but need a map to visualize. Worst case will ask at hotel :)
I wonder if that railway is how we get to Gora...by train from Tokyo.

And I failed to mention there are Hakone Tozan Densha (Train) and Hakone Tozan Cable Car but only if you search in English. :rolleyes: In addition to the rope way of course.

Here is a map.
http://www.hakonenavi.jp/english/tra...hakone_map.pdf

Hakone Tozan Train goes from Hakone Yumoto to Gora, Hakone Tozan Cable Car from Gora to Sounzan, and the Rope Way (if operating) from Sounzan to Togendai via Owakudani.

Earlier there was some discussion in the Hyatt forum about how the volcano and closures were affecting the Hyatt. I'm not sure whether it's in the master discussion/review thread for the hotel or in a separate thread over there.