Hakone Event September 2025: Complete Guide to Traditional Festivals, Susuki Grass Fields & Cultural Celebrations
Hakone is one of Japan's premier tourist destinations. It's popular as a spot where visitors can enjoy art and hot springs in nature, attracting many tourists. Additionally, since it's easily accessible from Tokyo, it's also a recommended spot for overseas tourists using Tokyo as their tourism base.
September, when the climate becomes cooler, is the perfect season for Hakone tourism. Japanese silver grass fields spread across the landscape, and events to experience the night starry sky and festivals where you can experience Japanese traditions are held. This time, we'll introduce three recommended events for those visiting Hakone in September as part of the exciting Hakone Event September 2025 lineup.
When You Come to Hakone in September, You Must Participate in the "Sengokuhara Susuki Festival" Where You Can Feel the Beauty of the Season!
Source:Official Instagram
Sengokuhara, located in the northern part of Hakone, is a forest resort where art museums and hotels are scattered throughout nature. Speaking of Sengokuhara's autumn tradition, it's the Japanese silver grass fields. Japanese silver grass is beloved by the name "Susuki," and when the Susuki turns golden in late September each year, the Sengokuhara Susuki Festival is held, bustling with many locals and tourists.
At the Sengokuhara Susuki Festival, you can not only enjoy viewing the Susuki but also experience the atmosphere of traditional Japanese festivals and enjoy local gourmet food. Since this is an event where you can fully enjoy Sengokuhara's charm, those visiting Hakone during this period should definitely make a visit! This festival stands out as a highlight of Hakone Event September 2025.
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Date: September 2025 (TBD)
Venue: Sengokuhara Culture Center, Sengokuhara park
Access:
- From JR Tokyo station, take Tokaido shinkansen to "Odawara station," then take Odakyu railway to "Hakone yumoto station," then take Hakone Tozan bus "Togendai line" to "Sengokuhara Culture Center mae" (immediate arrival)
- From JR Shinjuku station, take Odakyu railway Hakone-Yumoto to "Hakone yumoto station," then take Hakone Tozan bus "Togendai line" to "Sengokuhara Culture Center mae" (immediate arrival)
Admission: Free
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susukimatsuri/
Sengokuhara: https://www.sengokuhara.net/index.php
Experience Japan's Traditional Culture "Ennichi" Firsthand
One of the charms of the Sengokuhara susuki festival is being able to experience "Ennichi," one of Japan's traditional cultures. At Ennichi, food stalls called "Yatai" line up, offering easy-to-enjoy one-handed foods like "yakisoba," "choco banana," and "apple candy." Enjoying a food walk of Yatai foods is also the real pleasure of Ennichi.
Also, on stage, live performances by local people and "Shishimai" dances are performed. Shishimai is a Japanese traditional culture where people wear lion masks and dance with wishes for abundant harvests and warding off evil. Events where you can feel Japanese culture firsthand in Hakone are rare, so it's a must-see for those interested in history and culture.
Savor Exquisite Cuisine Made by Famous Hotels and Ryokan with Their Best Efforts
What I look forward to most at the Sengokuhara susuki festival, as someone who loves eating, is being able to savor the exquisite gourmet food from famous hotels and ryokan in Hakone. The charm of hotel and ryokan gourmet food is being able to enjoy elaborate, high-quality gourmet food that's hard to eat at home. From seafood and meat dishes to sweets like jellies using fresh fruits, there are about 20 shops participating each year, so you can enjoy Hakone's food to the fullest.
Additionally, there are also bar stalls where "Geiko" who entertain customers while performing dances wearing traditional Kimono, so you can enjoy alcohol while feeling Japanese culture firsthand.
At Night, You Can Also Enjoy Fireworks That Color the Autumn Sky
For the finale, fireworks that are essential for livening up festivals are launched. About 1,000 fireworks including "Shakudama" boasting a diameter of over 50 meters and rapid-fire fireworks called "Starmine" are launched to liven up the venue. Since they're launched from close distance, you can enjoy spectacular views with great impact. Also, being able to watch fireworks while enjoying high-class gourmet food is a unique charm of the Sengokuhara susuki festival.
Since there are few fireworks festivals held in Japan in September, this is also a recommended event for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere of Japanese fireworks festivals. Please enjoy the fireworks with food in hand while enjoying the autumn night sky and air!
When You Come to Sengokuhara, Also Enjoy the Refreshing Daytime "Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields"
If you come to Sengokuhara in autumn, exploring the Susuki Grass Fields is essential. The grassland is only about 1km away from the festival venue, so please enjoy them together.
The Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields, spreading over 8 hectares, are also beloved by the name "golden carpet." The sight of Susuki gathering, with large ones growing up to 2 meters in height, is truly dynamic, and you can fully feel the beauty of autumn's natural blessings on your skin.
Also, the Susuki Grass Fields can be explored not just by viewing but also by walking along the walking paths within the grassland. When I walked there, I was able to experience a fantastical feeling as if I had entered a fantasy world. Since this is a spectacular view that can only be enjoyed in autumn Hakone, please enjoy exploring the Susuki Grass Fields while feeling the refreshing autumn breeze!
This comprehensive guide showcases the best of Hakone Event September 2025, offering visitors an unforgettable experience combining nature, culture, and traditional Japanese festivities.
To Deeply Enjoy Hakone, Get Guided by Experts Who Know Every Tourist Spot!
If you've read this article and feel drawn to Hakone's charm, we recommend participating in the "Hakone Day Trip Tour from Tokyo with a Private Car & Guide" hosted by Magicall trip. This tour is a private tour where you explore Hakone in a dedicated taxi with a local guide who knows Hakone inside and out. They'll pick you up at your hotel accommodation in Tokyo, making it easy to participate.
This tour visits essential Hakone sightseeing spots including the power spot "Hakone Shrine," "Owakudani" where you can experience volcanic attractions, and the "Pirate ship" that cruises around Lake Ashinoko, Hakone's symbol. The tour also includes lunch and sweets time at a café where you can enjoy foot baths, making it a thoroughly satisfying tour where you can fully enjoy Hakone's food, nature, and culture.
・Meeting point: Shinjuku or hotel pick-up
・Tour area: Hakone
・Start time: 8:00
The Author's Thorough Explanation of Special Experiences and Their Appeal in Hakone in September
In September, festivals are held at shrines beloved by locals as hot spring deities, and events where you can enjoy the magnificent night sky from mountain peaks take place. Both are events where you can fully experience Hakone's charm, so if you're visiting Hakone during this time, please definitely participate. These Hakone Event September 2025 opportunities offer unique cultural immersion.
Yumoto Kumano Shrine Festival
Source:Hakone Zenzan
Kumano shrines are worshipped throughout Japan. Kumano shrines enshrine deities that protect the land. The "Yumoto Kumano Shrine" in the hot spring area of Hakone Yumoto is revered by local people not only as a land protector but also as a hot spring deity effective for illnesses.
Yumoto Kumano Shrine holds its biggest annual festival, the "Yumoto Kumano Shrine Festival," every year on September 9th. This festival expresses gratitude to the deities while praying for regional prosperity and freedom from illness, featuring religious ceremonies alongside Ennichi (festival stalls).
This is an event where you can physically feel Japanese religious views and local community strength. Why not participate in the festival and pray for Hakone Yumoto's development just like the locals do?
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Date: September 9, 2025
Venue: Yumoto Kumano Shrine
Access: About 15 minutes walk from Hakone Yumoto Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.hakone.or.jp/5596
Yumoto Kumano Shrine: https://www.hakone.or.jp/537
Sacred Rituals with Ritual Recitation and Shrine Maiden Dances
As a religious ceremony, hot spring water is offered to the deities. This ceremony is a unique sight specific to Hakone Yumoto, being a hot spring area. Additionally, "Kannushi" (Shinto priests) convey prayers and words of gratitude to the deities, while "Miko" (shrine maidens) wearing traditional costumes who serve the deities perform sacred dances as offerings.
During the religious ceremonies, casual conversation is prohibited. Spend this sacred time offering gratitude and prayers to the deities. After the ceremonies conclude, "Omiki" (sacred sake offered to the deities) is served. This is considered very auspicious, so if you participate in the ceremonies, please definitely try it.
These religious ceremonies don't occur daily, making this a very precious opportunity. Those interested in Japanese folklore and religious views should definitely participate to experience Japan's spiritual culture. This makes the Hakone Event September 2025 particularly meaningful for cultural enthusiasts.
Ennichi Festival Stalls Held in the Shrine Grounds
Source:Hakone Zenzan
The Yumoto Kumano Shrine Festival also features Ennichi, which are essential to any festival. This Ennichi is eagerly anticipated by local people, with many local families and students visiting. At the Ennichi, you can experience the warm, local atmosphere.
The Ennichi features casual Japanese cuisine that can be easily eaten, such as "Yakitori" and "Yakisoba" sold by locals, "Oden" (simmered dishes), and beer. Let's celebrate the hot spring deities together with local people while enjoying drinks and food!
Stargazing & Night View Tour
Source:PR TIMES
Komagatake is a 1,356-meter-high mountain located next to the caldera lake "Lake Ashinoko." It is the second highest mountain in Hakone, and from Komagatake you can enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and Hakone's magnificent nature.
Every autumn, Komagatake hosts the "Stargazing & Night View Tour" as part of the special Hakone Event September 2025 series. While the ropeway typically operates only during daytime hours, during this exciting event period you can ascend to nighttime Komagatake, which is usually inaccessible, to enjoy astronomical observation and mountain summit exploration. Please come experience the charm of nighttime Hakone that can only be enjoyed during this special time of year!
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- Schedule: Fall 2025～ (Hakone Event September 2025 onwards)
- Venue: Hakone Komagatake
- Access: From Hakone Yumoto Station, take Izu Hakone Bus "J Line" and get off at "Hakone-en" (immediate arrival)
- Admission: 1,800 yen
- Website: https://www.hakone.or.jp/9152 (2024 site)
- Hakone Komagatake Ropeway: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/amuse/hakone-en/ropeway/
Hakone's Night Views While Riding the Ropeway
A ropeway operates to the summit of Komagatake mountain. While during the day you can enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and the Pacific Ocean, at night you'll encounter completely different charms.
At lower elevations, the night views around Lake Ashinoko come into sight. The night scenery of Hakone, nestled in the mountains, gives you a sense of tranquility and warmth. As the elevation increases, you can see further into the distance, allowing you to observe the dynamic night views of cities spreading along Mt. Fuji and the Pacific Ocean coastline.
In the sky, surrounded by beautiful starry skies and night views, the ropeway journey is very romantic and perfect for dates.
The Grand Panorama of Starry Skies and City Views from the Summit
The summit of Komagatake is dark, so you can encounter beautiful starry skies that cannot be experienced at the foot of the mountain. Since I rarely visit mountains at night myself, I was moved by the beauty of the starry sky viewed from the mountain summit. From the summit, you can simultaneously enjoy not only the starry sky but also the beautiful night views of cities spreading across Hakone and along the Pacific coast, providing an extraordinary romantic space surrounded by jewels glowing in the darkness.
Additionally, if you participate in the astronomical observation & night tour, you can also observe lunar craters and planets in our solar system using astronomical telescopes. Join the tour and fully enjoy the charm of nighttime Hakone that can only be experienced at Komagatake!
Private Tours Around Mt. Fuji, Japan's Symbol, Are Also Recommended!
For those interested in natural spots around Hakone and Mt. Fuji, we also recommend participating in the "Mt. Fuji Full-day Day Trip Tour from Tokyo with a Private Car & Guide," where you can fully experience Mt. Fuji's charm in one day.
This tour allows you to experience Mt. Fuji's natural charm in one day, including shrines with Mt. Fuji views that have become popular on social media, wasabi harvesting experiences (wasabi being essential as a condiment for sushi), and "Oshino Hakkai" where you can feel Mt. Fuji's natural blessings. The tour also visits lunch at restaurants popular with locals and wineries, so you can enjoy culinary attractions as well. Join this tour and fully enjoy Mt. Fuji's charm!
- Meeting point: Shinjuku or hotel pick-up
- Tour area: Mt. Fuji vicinity
- Start time: 8:00