Volcanic Sacred Whispers: Sengokuhara’s Temples and Artistic Relics in Hakone’s Grasslands

Sengokuhara, Hakone’s windswept northern expanse, murmurs with volcanic spirituality, where ancient temples and art museums guard relics of Kamakura-era monks and Meiji-era painters, just 20 minutes from Gora by Hakone Tozan Bus. Accessible via Sengokuhara bus stops, this grassy plateau enchants with its blend of sacred sites and creative legacies, a local treasure ideal for contemplation after exploring the Pola Museum’s impressionist works or hiking Susuki’s pampas fields. Revered by Kanagawa locals for its serene history, Sengokuhara offers English signage, audio guides, and hidden statues nestled in bamboo groves, balancing iconic draws with secret finds. As you wander temple grounds echoing with sutras or marvel at ukiyo-e prints, Sengokuhara’s sacred whispers weave a cultural hymn, where Kanagawa’s volcanic heart breathes through every stone lantern and painted scroll, inviting you to uncover Japan’s spiritual artistry in a grassland embrace.

• Choan-ji Temple (Lesser-Known)

  In Sengokuhara (free entry), this 1356 temple features rakan statues, a 5-minute walk from Sengokuhara bus stop. Open until 5 PM. Limited English signage.

  Choan-ji Temple on Google

  

  
  

• Hakone Venetian Glass Museum (Cultural Highlight)

  In Sengokuhara (¥1,500 entry), this museum displays Meiji-era glass inspired by Edo crafts, a 7-minute walk from Sengokuhara bus stop.

  Hakone Venetian Glass Museum on Google

  

  
  
  
  

Location Benefits: Sengokuhara’s buses connect to Lake Ashi (20 minutes) or Hakone-Yumoto (40 minutes). Walkable Pola Museum, Susuki fields, and Owakudani’s ropeway (15 minutes) blend culture with nature, with Sengokuhara’s open vistas ideal for quiet reflection.