Temple Forest Walk and Onsen

Who this is for

For regular walkers. The ground rises gradually, the stone steps are uneven and worn, and there is real effort involved — though nowhere near the demands of a mountain hike. If you walk for pleasure and can manage stairs without concern, this walk is within reach.

What we actually do

We begin at Odawara Station and make our way into temple forest. The cedars here are around six hundred years old; standing beneath them tends to end conversation on its own. We climb slowly, pausing where the forest asks us to. There is sensory work, silence, and time simply to stand among trees that have outlived thirty generations of visitors.

Why the monks came here

The people who first walked these paths were not sightseeing. They were seeking stillness deliberately, and they chose this forest for it. Six centuries later the trees are larger, the practice is called something else, and the reason is exactly the same.

Then, the onsen

After the forest and temple, we pause for lunch and then guests may choose to visit a healing onsen. The warm water and unhurried time offer a gentle way to close the day. Lunch and onsen admission are paid separately, so you can choose what suits you.

How the temple forest day unfolds

This is a full-day experience rather than a short session. We meet at Odawara Station and travel together towards the temple forest. The approach lets the day slow down before the old cedar paths begin.

Walking and forest bathing are woven together. The climb is gradual, with worn steps and natural surfaces, but the pace leaves room for sensory invitations, silence and stillness among the oldest trees. Where the ground allows, mats can be used for a quiet rest.

Lunch creates a natural pause. Afterwards, guests may choose an onsen as an unhurried close. Lunch and admission are paid separately, and the booking confirmation provides the practical detail needed for the day.

Best season for the temple forest and onsen

Spring brings new growth around the temple grounds. Summer is shaded beneath the cedars, although humidity and wet stone require care. Autumn brings colour among the broadleaf trees and cooler walking weather. Winter is especially quiet, and the contrast between cold forest air and warm water gives the day a distinct rhythm.

Weather can change the route and the time spent resting. Bring shoes with grip in every season and read our Hakone rain guide when the forecast is unsettled.

Getting to Odawara from Tokyo

Odawara is the simplest of the four meeting areas for many travellers. The Tokaido Shinkansen connects it with Tokyo and Shinagawa, while Odakyu services connect it with Shinjuku. Meet inside the station at the place shown in your confirmation.

Because train schedules and stopping patterns change, use the official operator timetable for your date rather than relying on an old blog itinerary. Our Tokyo-to-Hakone guide compares the main routes.

Who should choose a different experience?

This walk is not suitable for someone who needs a flat route or has difficulty with sustained steps and uneven stone. It is also the wrong choice if only a half-day is available. The Introductory and Lakeshore sessions offer gentler ground and shorter formats.

The onsen is optional. Guests with dietary requirements, tattoos or access questions should enquire before booking because local facilities set their own policies. We would rather check first than create uncertainty on the day.

Why this is a full-day experience

The six-hour format includes transitions that shorter tours often remove: travelling together from Odawara, entering the temple forest slowly, pausing for lunch and deciding whether an onsen feels right. Those transitions are part of the day rather than dead time between attractions.

Regular walkers usually find the distance manageable, but slowness changes how steps feel. Shoes with grip, water and a layer matter more than trying to move quickly. If your wider itinerary already contains several demanding walking days, compare the flatter Lakeshore session before choosing.

The temple remains a living cultural place. We pass through respectfully, follow access rules and keep the emphasis on the forest rather than treating the grounds as a private backdrop.

Continue planning

Build the experience into a Hakone wellness day trip from Tokyo, and compare the activity honestly in our guide to forest bathing vs hiking in Hakone.

Practical notes

Wear shoes with grip — the stone steps are slick when wet. Bring water and a layer, and a small towel for the onsen if you have a favourite (rentals are available). Swimwear is not worn in a healing onsen; if you have tattoos, mention it when booking, as some onsen restrict them. This walk moves through an old temple forest, where centuries-old cedars, hillside paths and a nearby hot spring shape the day.