Hakone Estate and Gardens

We visited over Easter weekend and it was simply spectacular. We got there early (a must I would suggest) and enjoyed the spring time blooming of the cherry trees alongside much more. Beautiful scenery, great for pictures and relaxation. The only draw-back is the parking - there's very little of it; the only other option is to park below the park (mostly illegally) and hike back up.

This is a truly magical place! If you love the quiet serenity of ancient trees, bamboo forests, and waterfalls, you must visit this gorgeous garden! It will seduce you with its winding paths, tease you with its climbing trails leading to breathtaking views and absolutely charm its way as deep into your heart as the roots of the sky-reaching trees spread deep into the mountain side. Beautiful!!!

Enjoyed the peaceful serene beauty of Hakone Estate and Gardens, 100+ years old Japanese Garden that featuring a lush bamboo forest, a vibrant koi pond, a gentle cascading waterfall, and an authentic houses constructed without nails in the traditional manner. The admission fee is $12 per adult, $8 per child. You can get a family membership for $75/year, or $45 individual/$60 individual plus 1 guest and enjoy free year-round admission with other members perks.

A beautiful place for a quiet walk though nature. From the parking lot you directly enter this lovely place where are you just relax for a bit. It also features a beautiful pond with fish. Very close to downtown Saratoga.

Very cute place, loved the cherry blossom trees. It can get very busy, which makes it hard to relax and enjoy. Try to pick go during off peak hours. Parking is also tight. You can park on the street and walk up, but just be prepared for the steep hill climb!

The perfect place if you are looking for a serene stroll. Such a tranquil experience. We also learned about the history of the estate & enjoyed music. Such a beautiful spot. I look forward to returning in spring when the flowers are all blooming!

Found this place because of the Roadtrippers app. Gorgeous Japanese garden! We visited in early May while the wisteria was blooming. Buy some fish food on your way in, the koi (and ducks) will thank you.

I enjoyed walking around the hakone gardens with my dear friend..
Serene calm and at peace..
The magnolia are just starting to bloom and they said wisteria will be in bloom at the end of March / April..

Discovering this beautifully maintained Japanese garden in Saratoga was a delightful surprise during a weekend visit. It's conveniently located very close to the village, though a steep driveway, unfortunately lacking a pedestrian path, makes it less walkable. Once you park for free, head to the gift shop to purchase your entrance ticket.

The garden itself is a tranquil oasis, exuding an authentic charm. You'll find a diverse array of plants and trees, a serene pond teeming with enormous koi fish, a serene bamboo garden, numerous shaded seating areas, and some lovely architectural structures.

While the garden offers great photo opportunities, our visit in April, on a weekend, meant it was quite crowded. If you have the opportunity to visit on a quieter day, you might have the entire place to yourself for even more picturesque moments and relaxation.

One peculiar aspect of our visit was the somewhat passive-aggressive demeanor of the woman managing ticket sales and the gift shop. Despite being just an arm's length away behind the counter, she chose not to extend her arm to return our credit card or ticket/receipt, leaving us to awkwardly reach across the counter.

[Note: Photo taken in April 2022]

Held an event here and was totally impressed with the staff support! Melia was responsive, thoughtful, anticipatory and generous with her time despite juggling a fully booked event calendar. Everything went smoothly despite being in the midst of a level 4 storm. Sadly our ability to book a future retreat will be limited by their availability—they are very popular for good reason!

It's a meditative place. One of the best places to go for a walk alone!

Very serene place!
Entrance fee is 12 USD for adults.

I visited Hakone and was blown away by its beauty! This gem is located in Saratoga, CA and offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

There was a neat origami display with impressive works of shapes and animals. A memorable experience and I will definitely be returning!

A gem that's worth 2 hours. Especially during the cherry blossom time (April). They also have lots of maples, so I imagine fall would also be spectacular. Besides cherry trees, they have a variety of bamboo, blooming shade plants (early spring, like azaleas), wisteria, and majestic oaks. The Garden has classical Japanese landscaping elements like wooden bridges, stone lanterns, stream and (a small) waterfaa, and a pebble garden, adapted to the steep hills (stairs) of the location. Free 1st Tuesdays can get busy during cherry blossom, but the Garden is otherwise an oasis of beauty and calm.

Ride to the estate was lovely. The tea garden is scenic and pretty. Can visit one time. Some parts are closed for renovation, thats a bummer. we were recommended to check the website and come during cherry blossom time or other events, so that you get more things to
enjoy.

Absolutely gorgeous japanese garden, please visit if you are in the area. I went to a wedding there and it's the perfect venue the staff is so friendly they did an amazing job. There is a washroom on site plus a gift shop with amazing various things to purchase.

Beautiful cherry blossom!

The entrance fee is $12. The parking is limited, so good to arrive early otherwise you will need to park at the foot of the hill.

(The photos are taken last weekend. Already quite a few cherry blossom available.)

A little bit small than I expected but it was so beautiful. Absolutely stunning. Every path is like different infamous locations. It feels exactly like Japan. They do have little picnic area right after entering. Recommend going early when it opens, parking is limited.

Beautiful and peaceful gardens. Got tickets for the Cherry Blossoms, we were a bit past peak but still enjoyable. When we booked of course we couldn't predict the weather and today was scheduled to rain all day and night but thankfully we had a break for our visit.

Very authentic and calm place. Small, but really beautiful.