Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field

What to know

Stretching across the western slope of Mount Hakone in the Sengokuhara district, this vast field of pampas grass (susuki) is a seasonal highlight. Known as the Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field (仙石原すすき草原, Sengokuhara Susuki Kusahara), the tall grasses carpet the hillside for hundreds of meters, shifting hues with the seasons. The most spectacular time is autumn, when the grasses turn a shimmering silvery gold.

A single broad walking path leads into the field from the western base of the hill, providing sweeping views as it climbs to a dead end at a higher lookout. The path is used for both directions, and visitors are asked to stay on the trail to protect the grass.

Though autumn draws the biggest crowds, the field offers year-round beauty. In summer the grass is bright green, shifting to green and pale yellow around September, then brilliant whitish gold by early November. Winter sees the grass turn brown and die back, while in spring the field is cleared by controlled burning to keep other plants from taking over.

The pampas grass field is just a short walk from the Sengoku Kogen (仙石高原) bus stop, served by Hakone Tozan Bus Line T and Odakyu Bus. From Hakone-Yumoto Station, the journey takes about 30 minutes (1100 yen), or about 5 minutes from Togendai (390 yen). Buses run several times per hour, and the route is covered by the Hakone Free Pass.