Top 9 Must-Buy Souvenirs from Hakone: Unique Gifts and Local Specialties
Hakone is not only one of Japan's premier hot spring areas but is also bustling with domestic and international tourists due to the various tourist attractions scattered throughout the region. Surrounded by mountains with rich natural beauty, it's perfect for those who want to experience nature just a short trip from Tokyo.
Did you know that Lake Ashi, a famous Hakone landmark, is a viewing spot for Mt. Fuji, which is considered a symbol of Japan? Especially when conditions align on clear mornings or evenings, the "Upside down Fuji" reflected on Lake Ashi's surface is renowned for its magical atmosphere.
Now I'll introduce some Hakone souvenirs that you should definitely check out when visiting this charming area.
Points to Consider When Choosing Souvenirs! Check the Following to Select the Best Hakone Souvenir for You
Have you ever struggled to choose souvenirs when traveling? Here, I'll explain three key points to consider when selecting souvenirs.
Check the following to select the optimal Hakone souvenir for yourself!
Is it a Local Specialty or Something That Can Only Be Purchased in That Area?
The first point is whether it's a local specialty or something that can only be purchased in that area.
Souvenirs that use local specialties or feature designs unique to the area are recommended because they bring back memories of your trip when you eat or look at them after returning home. The fond memories of your enjoyable trip will surely put you in a positive mood.
Additionally, products that can only be purchased in that area have a sense of rarity, so you can definitely impress your family and friends!
For Food Items, How Long is the Shelf Life?
The second point is to always check the shelf life for food items.
If a food item has a shelf life of about one week, you'll need to eat it immediately after returning from your trip. In contrast, products with a shelf life of more than one month are perfect as souvenirs because you can enjoy them at your leisure without rushing.
Furthermore, individually wrapped items are recommended as you can enjoy them gradually over a longer period without having to consume everything at once. Whether they're easy to distribute to friends or work colleagues is also an important point to check.
Will It Create Conversation or Become a Memorable Keepsake?
The third point is whether it will create conversation or become a memorable keepsake.
Souvenirs that have gained popularity in books or online tend to have fewer disappointments as they've been endorsed by many people. Additionally, checking product reviews in advance will make it easier to judge whether it's right for you.
It's also important to imagine whether you'll cherish it as a memento of your trip after bringing it home. If you make purchases influenced by the atmosphere of the store, you're more likely to buy unnecessary items.
"Yosegi-zaiku" - Hakone's Traditional Craft That You'll Definitely Want to Buy When Visiting
The traditional Hakone craft that you'll definitely want to buy when visiting is Yosegi-zaiku (marquetry).
Yosegi-zaiku is a woodcraft characterized by geometric patterns made by combining colorful woods together, said to have originated in Hakone Town during the late Edo period. It's highly popular among Hakone souvenirs because people appreciate the beauty of the wood grain and the warmth of the wood.
Another reason Yosegi-zaiku receives acclaim from many people is its wide range of products, including coasters, photo frames, and puzzle boxes (boxes with mechanisms on the surface or inside that won't open unless you follow specific steps).
Yosegi-zaiku Izumiya
Source:Official website
Now I'll introduce a store in Hakone that sells Yosegi-zaiku.
Yosegi-zaiku Izumiya is a specialty store located right in front of Lake Ashi, proud of its wide variety of products ranging from popular puzzle boxes to kitchen and household items.
A notable feature is their name engraving service, where they can add dates, messages, or names to products. When I purchased a solid wood Yosegi mousepad, I had my initials engraved on it. With the initials, it gained a sense of originality that made me more attached to it, and I use it so much that I even carry it when going out.
You can get the latest information about the store on their homepage or Instagram, so please check them out.
<Store Information>
- Address: 158 Hakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: 10:00-16:00
- Closed: Thursdays
- Phone Number: 0460-83-6030
- Official Website: https://www.yosegi.jp/shop.html
Hamamatsuya
Source：Official website
Hamamatsuya is a long-established specialty shop for marquetry woodwork (yosegi-zaiku) that has been open in Hakone for about 200 years. The store offers original items that can't be found elsewhere, such as heart-shaped ornaments and remote control holders that add modern elements to historical marquetry craftsmanship, making them perfect Hakone souvenirs for tourists seeking authentic craftsmanship.
What's particularly noteworthy is the "visible factory" on the second floor, where one of the few traditional craft masters in the country can create products according to your requests. I've also visited the factory myself and found it educational to watch the production process while listening to explanations about the history and techniques of marquetry woodwork.
This is a valuable opportunity to see the skilled craftsmanship of artisans up close, so please make sure to stop by when searching for the perfect Hakone souvenir that represents centuries of tradition.
<Store Information>
- Address: 138 Shuku, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: 9:00-17:30
- Closed: Open year-round
- Phone Number: 0460-85-7044
- Official Website: https://www.hamamatsuya.co.jp/shop-japan/
Kobayashi Store
Source:Hakone Zenzan
Kobayashi Store is located within walking distance from Gora Station and handles marquetry woodwork and Hakone specialty products. The marquetry woodwork, which carries on traditions from the Edo period, ranges from affordably priced items to high-end crafts, offering various Hakone souvenirs to match any budget.
The solid wood marquetry ballpoint pen, a popular Hakone souvenir, not only features beautiful geometric patterns but is also comfortable to hold and easy to write with because it's made of wood. You'll definitely attract attention when using it away from home!
The store also has a wide variety of items using marquetry, such as mugs, photo frames, and pen stands, so you can enjoy just window shopping around the store.
<Store Information>
- Address: 1300-275 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: 11:00-17:30
- Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Phone Number: 0460-82-2510
- Official Website: https://hakone-omiyagehonpo.jp/
For a deep and efficient enjoyment of Hakone, let a guide who knows Hakone inside out show you around by private car!
If you want to enjoy Hakone deeply and efficiently, let a guide who knows Hakone thoroughly show you around by private car.
The "Hakone Day Trip Tour from Tokyo with a Private Car & Guide" allows you to tour Hakone on a day trip from Tokyo with a dedicated car and guide. There are four main tourist spots:
- Hakone Shrine
- Pirate Ship
- Owakudani (Ropeway)
- Hakone Open-Air Museum
During the tour, you can drink amazake (a traditional sweet Japanese beverage made from fermented rice and rice koji), enjoy lunch, and sample black eggs (boiled eggs with black shells cooked in the Owakudani hot spring in Hakone). You can fully enjoy the charm of Hakone while comfortably moving around in a private car, making this an excellent opportunity to collect memorable Hakone souvenirs along the way.
Why not participate in the tour and experience the blessings of Hakone's unique nature, the weight of history, art, and the excellence of food in one day?
<Meeting Point>
- Tour Area: Hakone
- Start Time: 8:00
Three Selected Memorable Souvenirs That Can Be Purchased at Tourist Spots
Here, we'll introduce three carefully selected memorable souvenirs that can be purchased at tourist spots. Every time you look at these Hakone souvenirs, you'll remember your time in Hakone.
Venetian Glass (Hakone Venice Glass Museum)
Source:Official website
At the Hakone Venice Glass Museum, you can purchase various products made of Venetian glass, such as vessels, table clocks, and accessories. Venetian glass is a traditional glass craft that originated in Venice, Italy, characterized by vivid colors and delicate patterns.
I purchased a vessel using the "mosaic glass" technique, which is famous among Venetian glass styles. The design, which combines various colors to create a floral pattern, has the beauty of an art piece. I like it because it makes the room more vibrant when displayed as interior decor and serves as a stunning Hakone souvenir that reminds me of my travels.
Currently, there are fewer workshops, making Venetian glass harder to obtain, so why not take one home as a memento of your trip?
<Store Information>
- Address: 940-48 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: 10:00-17:30
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0460-86-3111
- Official Website: https://www.hakone-garasunomori.jp/
Black Egg Goods (Owakudani)
Source:Official website
Owakudani is famous for its popular black egg goods. These Hakone souvenirs, sold at Owakudani Kuro Tamago Kan, are products related to Owakudani's specialty "black eggs," and they even collaborate with Sanrio, Japan's representative character brand.
The goods include daily use items featuring black egg designs such as towels, keychains, socks, pin badges, and more. When I gave my niece a humorous keychain where pressing the black egg shell makes a Sanrio character pop out as a Hakone souvenir, she was delighted by its unique appeal!
These items truly capture the essence of Hakone, making them perfect souvenirs.
<Store Information>
- Address: 1251 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 9:00-16:30
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-84-9605
- Official Website: https://owakudani.com/goods/
Art-Related Goods (Hakone Open-Air Museum)
Source:Official website
At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, you can purchase art-related goods. The museum shop offers original merchandise featuring popular sculptures, approximately 700 types of postcards, and domestic and international design items curated by the museum, all with sophisticated taste.
I purchased masking tape decorated with the museum's bronze sculptures. When I used it to wrap Hakone souvenirs for my colleagues, they were impressed by its innovative design that allows you to write comments in empty speech bubbles.
The creative products available at this museum shop make wonderful Hakone souvenirs that are sure to please.
<Store Information>
- Address: Ninotaira, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 9:00-17:00
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 0460-82-1161
- Official Website: https://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/info/
3 Long-Lasting Sweets Perfect for Souvenirs
Finally, here are three long-lasting sweets that make ideal Hakone souvenirs.
Hakone Uribou (135-day shelf life)
Source:Official website
Hakone Uribou is a cute Japanese sweet designed to resemble "uribou," the wild boar babies that live in Hakone. Inside the moist outer layer is a generous filling of milk-butter flavored bean paste.
I once received this as a Hakone souvenir from a colleague. Taking one bite filled my mouth with the gentle sweetness of the bean paste, making me smile involuntarily. Though small in size, it's surprisingly substantial with its dense filling.
These individually wrapped treats come in packs of 10 for 990 yen, making them affordable Hakone souvenirs. They're especially recommended for those looking for traditional Japanese sweets.
<Store Information>
- Address: 939 Narita, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 9:00-18:00
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 0465-36-5511
- Official Website: https://www.shiino.co.jp/household/detail.php?cn=11&pn=07
Hakone Rusk (90-day shelf life)
Source:Official website
Hakone Rusk has a 90-day shelf life and is made by slicing and baking bread made from an original wheat blend. Its crispy texture and rich butter aroma are distinctive, creating an addictive deliciousness!
Flavors range from classic plain to caramel almond, maple, garlic, and more. My recommendation is the caramel almond, topped with plenty of caramel sauce and almonds. You can enjoy both the crispiness of the rusk and the crunchiness of the almonds, along with the rich sweetness of caramel—a taste that makes you want to eat more and more!
In addition to single-flavor bags, there are also boxed sets with multiple flavors, allowing you to choose the perfect Hakone souvenir for your needs.
<Store Information>
- Address: 1246-737 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: 10:00-18:00
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 0460-83-8123
- Official Website: https://hakonerusk.com/collections/hakone-rusk
Nuts Vessel (90-day shelf life)
Source:Official website
Nuts Vessel has a 90-day shelf life and consists of cookies topped with homemade caramel that doesn't melt even in summer heat, further topped with nuts. They luxuriously use seven types of nuts: cashews, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, and pine nuts.
The nuts are placed whole rather than crushed, allowing you to directly experience their texture and flavor. With one bite, the bittersweet caramel and seven types of nuts blend together in your mouth for an exquisite taste!
These Hakone souvenirs look impressive with their generous nut toppings and are always appreciated when given to friends, making them my go-to Hakone gift.
<Store Information>
- Address: 706-35 Yumoto, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Hours: Weekdays 9:30-16:30, Weekends/Holidays 9:00-17:00
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Phone: 0460-85-6610
- Official Website: https://www.sagamiya-honten.co.jp/
