[Kanto scenic tour] [Kanagawa Prefecture] Motorcycle trip to Sengokuhara! A solo trip on a Harley through golden pampas grass fields and a land rich in nature
Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Sengokuhara, Kanagawa Prefecture. Sengokuhara is a highland area in Hakone that is rich in nature, and in autumn, the golden yellow pampas grass that spreads all over the area is spectacular. We will introduce the charms of Sengokuhara, how to access it, bike parking, etc.
Sengokuhara is a highland area located in Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture. The altitude is approximately 700m, and you can enjoy the coolest climate in Hakone. Sengokuhara is a remnant of what was once part of Lake Ashi, and many wetlands remain. Therefore, you can see an abundance of nature such as wetland plants and wild birds. Especially in autumn, the vast clump of pampas grass called Sengokuhara Susuki Grassland is a highlight. Pampas grass turns brown and gold from September to November, and looks beautiful as it sways in the wind. Sengokuhara Susuki Grassland has been selected as one of Kanagawa’s top 50 scenic spots and Kanagawa’s top 100 flowers.
Route to Sengokuhara
https://tabi-mag.jp/kn0259/
This time I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Sengokuhara. The bike I used is my favorite Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. This bike is a versatile bike that combines the characteristics of a cruiser and a tourer. With its powerful engine and comfortable suspension, you can enjoy long-distance driving.
The journey from central Tokyo to Sengokuhara is approximately 140 km via the Shuto Expressway and the Tomei Expressway, and takes approximately 2 hours. On the Shuto Expressway, take the Tokyo Loop Line and Shibuya Line and enter the Mukojima Line from Hakozaki IC. Transfer from the Mukojima Line to the Tomei Expressway and head towards Gotemba. On the Tomei Expressway, exit at Gotemba IC and enter National Route 138. On National Route 138, head towards Hakone via Gotemba Bypass. Before entering Sengokuhara, turn right onto Prefectural Route 75 and head towards Moto-Hakone/Lake Ashi. After driving along Prefectural Route 75 for a while, you will arrive at the center of Sengokuhara.
Highlights of Sengokuhara
Sengokuhara has many attractions where you can enjoy nature and culture. We will introduce some representative spots.
Hakone Glass Forest Museum is Japan’s first art museum specializing in Venetian glass. There are about 100 pieces on display, mainly masterpieces of Venetian glass. The park has a European atmosphere, with a garden where you can enjoy seasonal flowers and glass objects, and a church with one of the world’s largest chandeliers. At the glass workshop, you can also try your hand at glass blowing and sandblasting.
Owakudani
https://shonanlovers.com/odwarahakone/oowakudani/
Owakudani is a crater area that was created during the last eruption of Mt. Hakone 3,000 years ago, and is still emitting fumes. Owakudani, with its white smoke and the smell of sulfur, is a spot where you can feel Hakone’s volcanic activity. If the weather is good, you can see the magnificent Mt. Fuji right in front of your eyes. It can be accessed by cable car and Hakone Ropeway. Owakudani is famous for its black eggs. Eggs boiled in sulfur springs have black shells, and it is said that eating them will extend your life by seven years.
The Pola Museum of Art is an art museum that displays modern Western paintings collected by Takeo Tsuchiya, the founder of Pola Cosmetics. The museum has a collection of approximately 10,000 works, including Impressionist paintings centered around Monet and Renoir, École de Paris paintings, and 20th century paintings. The museum was designed to blend in with nature, with gardens and terraces overlooking the Hakone mountains and Lake Ashi.
Sengokuhara Susuki Grassland is a wetland plant community that spreads across the Sengokuhara Plateau. In autumn, the area is covered with pampas grass, and the sight of it swaying in the wind is magical. Sengokuhara Susuki Grassland has been selected as one of Kanagawa’s top 50 scenic spots and Kanagawa’s top 100 flowers. From the pampas grass grassland, you can also enjoy views of Mt. Fuji and Hakone Somma. There are walking paths and observation decks, so you can easily take a walk.
Sengokuhara motorcycle parking lot
https://travel-review.info/bike/touring20171116
There are several motorcycle parking lots in Sengokuhara, but please be aware that some are paid and some are free. Paid motorcycle parking lots are attached to tourist facilities such as Hakone Glass Forest Museum and Pola Museum of Art.
Prices vary depending on the facility, but generally range from 300 yen to 500 yen.
Free motorcycle parking is available near the entrance to Sengokuhara Susuki Grass and Owakudani, but the number of spaces is limited, so we recommend getting there early. Also, please be aware that free motorcycle parking is at high risk of being stolen or damaged.
Summary
This time I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Sengokuhara.
Sengokuhara is a wonderful highland area where you can enjoy nature and culture. In autumn, the golden color of pampas grass is beautiful.
When you go to Sengokuhara, be aware of the difference between paid and free motorcycle parking.
Sengokuhara is called Sengokuhara in English. We hope this article will be helpful for your bike touring to Sengokuhara. Well then, it was _hiroyuki.ta.
[Kanto scenic tour] [Kanagawa Prefecture] Motorcycle trip to Sengokuhara! A solo trip on a Harley through golden pampas grass fields and a land rich in nature
