Best Pizza Places in Hakone: Where to Go for a Proper Slice
Words by
Yuki Tanaka
Finding the best pizza places in Hakone might surprise you. This mountain resort town, famous for its onsen and views of Mount Fuji, has quietly built up a small but serious pizza scene over the past decade. I have eaten my way through every spot worth mentioning, and here is where to go for a proper slice in this volcanic hot spring town.
Hakone Pizza Guide: The Scene You Did Not Expect
Hakone sits about 90 minutes southwest of Tokyo, straddling the border between Kanagawa Prefecture and the edge of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Most visitors come for the ropeway, the open-air museum, and the black eggs from Owakudani. But the food scene has matured. Wood-fired ovens now dot the hillsides, and a handful of places serve pizza that would hold its own in Shibuya or Shimokitazawa. This Hakone pizza guide covers the spots I return to again and again, the ones locals actually talk about over dinner, and the hidden corners where a good margherita appears when you least expect it.
1. Il Mirai, Hakone-Yumoto
Il Mirai sits on a quiet side street just a five-minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station, tucked between a coin laundry and a small soba shop that has been there since the 1970s. The owner trained in Naples for two years before returning to Hakone, and you can taste that commitment in every pie. The oven is a custom-built wood-fired unit that runs at a steady 480 degrees Celsius, and the dough ferments for 48 hours before it ever hits the peel.
The Vibe? Intimate, almost cramped, with only eight seats at the counter and two small tables by the window. It feels like eating in someone's kitchen.
The Bill? A margherita runs about 1,400 yen, and the seasonal special (currently a porcini and fontina combination) sits around 1,800 yen.
The Standout? The Diavola, made with a house-ground Calabrian chili paste that the owner imports directly from a small producer in Tropea. It has a slow, building heat that lingers.
The Catch? They only seat about 12 people at a time, and on weekends the wait can stretch past 40 minutes. There is no reservation system, so you write your name on a clipboard by the door and wait.
The best time to go is a weekday lunch, ideally between 11:30 and 12:30, before the after-onsen crowd arrives. Most tourists walk right past this place because the sign is small and in Japanese only. Look for the red awning with a hand-painted pizza slice.
Local tip: If you are staying at a ryokan in the Yumoto area, ask the front desk to call ahead. Some ryokan staff have a rapport with the owner and can put your name down before you arrive.
2. Bakery & Table Hakone, near Lake Ashi
Bakery & Table is a chain concept run by the Sapporo-based company that also operates several Hokkaido-style bakeries, but the Hakone branch has something the others do not: a wood-fired pizza oven with a direct view of Lake Ashi on clear days. The restaurant sits along the road between Togendai and Moto-Hakone, and the terrace seating is the real draw. On a good afternoon, you can eat a margherita with the lake spreading out below you and the mountains rising behind it.
The Vibe? Casual, family-friendly, and slightly touristy, but the food quality keeps it from feeling like a trap.
The Bill? Pizzas range from 1,200 to 1,900 yen. The set lunch with salad and a drink adds about 500 yen.
The Standout? The four-cheese pizza, which uses a blend that includes a local Hakone-area camembert from a small dairy in Sengokuhara. It is creamier and slightly tangier than what you get in Tokyo.
The Catch? The terrace seats fill up fast on weekends and holidays. By 12:00 on a Saturday in autumn, you are looking at a 30-minute wait for outdoor seating, and the indoor tables feel like an afterthought with no view.
I usually go on a weekday afternoon around 14:00, after the lunch rush and before the dinner crowd. The light on the lake is better then anyway. Most tourists do not know that the bakery section sells a small, personal-sized pizza bread for about 300 yen, which is perfect for a quick snack if you are heading to the ropeway.
Local tip: The parking lot is small and fills up by 11:00 on weekends. If you are driving, arrive before 10:30 or take the bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station.
3. La Notte, Gora
La Notte is a small Italian restaurant in Gora, just a short walk from the Hakone Open-Air Museum. It has been operating for over 15 years, making it one of the older Italian spots in the area. The interior is dark wood and candlelight, and the menu leans heavily toward Roman-style pizza, which means a thinner, crisper crust than what you get at Neapolitan-focused places.
The Vibe? Date-night energy. Low lighting, quiet conversation, and a small wine list that leans Italian.
The Bill? Pizzas start at 1,300 yen and top out around 2,000 yen for the truffle and mushroom option.
The Standout? The Patata e Rosmarino, a potato and rosemary pizza that sounds simple but is one of the best things on the menu. The potatoes are sliced paper-thin and roasted until the edges curl and crisp.
The Catch? The restaurant is small, maybe 20 seats, and they do not take reservations for parties smaller than four. On Friday and Saturday evenings, expect a wait.
The best time to visit is a weeknight, Tuesday through Thursday, when the restaurant is quieter and the kitchen has more bandwidth. I have noticed that the pizza crust comes out slightly better on slower nights, probably because the oven is not being pushed to its limit.
Most tourists associate Gora with the Open-Air Museum and the funicular, and they eat at the museum cafeteria or grab convenience store food. La Notte is a five-minute walk from the museum entrance, but almost no one finds it unless a local tells them.
Local tip: The owner sources vegetables from a small farm in the Miyanoshita area. If you ask, the staff can tell you what is in season. The menu changes slightly every few months based on what is available.
4. Pizzeria TRATTORIA S, Miyanoshita
Miyanoshita is one of Hakone's older resort neighborhoods, a place that attracted foreign diplomats and wealthy Tokyoites during the Meiji era. Pizzeria TRATTORIA S fits right into that legacy of cross-cultural dining. The owner is Japanese but spent time working in a trattoria in Florence, and the menu reflects that Tuscan influence. The pizzas here are slightly larger than what you get at Il Mirai, and the toppings tend toward heartier, more rustic combinations.
The Vibe? Rustic and relaxed, with exposed brick and a visible kitchen. It feels like a countryside Italian restaurant that somehow ended up in the mountains of Kanagawa.
The Bill? Expect to pay between 1,500 and 2,200 yen per pizza. The house wine is reasonable at about 600 yen a glass.
The Standout? The Boscaiola, topped with sausage, mushrooms, and a drizzle of truffle oil. It is rich and filling, the kind of pizza you want after a long day of hiking the Old Tokaido Road.
The Catch? The restaurant is on a hill, and the walk from the nearest bus stop is about 10 minutes uphill. It is not ideal if you are carrying heavy bags or traveling with small children.
I recommend going for a late lunch, around 14:30, when the restaurant is nearly empty. The owner sometimes comes out and chats during the slow hours, and I have learned more about Hakone's food scene from those conversations than from any guidebook.
Local tip: Miyanoshita has several historic ryokan and a small shrine that most tourists skip. If you are already in the neighborhood for pizza, take the 15-minute walk to the Hakone Glass Forest Museum, which is nearby and far less crowded than the Open-Air Museum.
5. Cafe & Dining Tofuya, near Hakone-Yumoto
Tofuya is primarily known as a tofu restaurant, and yes, the tofu is excellent. But the pizza here deserves attention. The owner started offering pizza about five years ago as a way to use the wood-fired oven that was originally built for baking bread. The result is a hybrid style, Japanese-Italian, with toppings that sometimes include local yuzu, shiso, and house-made tofu cream as a base instead of tomato sauce.
The Vibe? Country-cozy, with wooden beams and a stone oven as the centerpiece. It feels like a mountain lodge.
The Bill? Pizzas are priced between 1,100 and 1,700 yen. The tofu course meal, if you want the full experience, runs about 3,500 yen.
The Standout? The yuzu and mozzarella pizza, which sounds unusual but works. The citrus cuts through the richness of the cheese, and the crust has a slight smokiness from the wood fire.
The Catch? The restaurant is popular with tour buses, and between 12:00 and 13:00 on weekends, the dining room can feel chaotic. Service slows down noticeably during this window.
The best strategy is to arrive at 11:00, right when they open, or after 14:00. I usually go for an early dinner around 17:00 on a weekday, when the tour groups have left and the atmosphere settles into something peaceful.
Local tip: Tofuya is located near the Hayashi Memorial Museum, a small museum dedicated to the history of Hakone's development as a resort town during the Meiji period. It is free to enter and takes about 20 minutes. Most visitors have no idea it exists.
6. Ristorante Pizzeria Il Sogno, Chokoku-no-Mori Area
Il Sogno sits in the Chokoku-no-Mori area, close to the Hakone Open-Air Museum but on a quieter side road that most visitors never explore. The restaurant has been here for over a decade, and it has a loyal local following that keeps it busy year-round. The pizza style is a hybrid, somewhere between Neapolitan and Roman, with a crust that is thin in the center and slightly puffed at the edges.
The Vibe? Warm and unpretentious, with checkered tablecloths and a small bar. It feels like a neighborhood spot in a small Italian town.
The Bill? Pizzas range from 1,200 to 1,800 yen. The daily pasta special is around 1,400 yen and is often just as good as the pizza.
The Standout? The Margherita D.O.C., made with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, and fresh basil. It is the simplest thing on the menu and the best.
The Catch? The restaurant closes on Wednesdays, and the hours are irregular during the off-season (January through March). Always check before you go.
I like going on a Sunday afternoon, after visiting the Open-Air Museum. The walk from the museum to Il Sogno takes about 12 minutes through a wooded path, and the transition from art to pizza feels natural in a way I cannot quite explain.
Local tip: The area around Chokoku-no-Mori has several small galleries and craft workshops that are free to browse. If you have time before your meal, stop by the nearby Hakone Art Museum's garden, which is beautiful in autumn and far less crowded than the main museum building.
7. Wood-Fired Pizza at Hakone Guest House, near Gora
This is not a restaurant in the traditional sense. The Hakone Guest House, a small lodging near Gora, offers wood-fired pizza nights on select evenings, typically Friday and Saturday, for both guests and non-guests. You need to reserve in advance, and the experience is communal, everyone sits around a large outdoor oven and watches the pizzas being made.
The Vibe? Backyard party meets Italian piazza. Casual, social, and slightly unpredictable.
The Bill? A set course with unlimited pizza and a drink is about 3,000 yen per person. It is one of the better values in Hakone.
The Standout? The communal experience itself. You meet other travelers, swap stories, and eat pizza under the stars. The owner makes a spicy salami pizza that disappears within minutes of coming out of the oven.
The Catch? It is weather-dependent. If it rains, the event is canceled with little notice. There is no covered seating area for the pizza nights.
The best time to go is during the warmer months, May through October, when the evenings are comfortable and the sky is clear. I have been three times, and the September visit was the best, cool air, low humidity, and a sky full of stars.
Local tip: The guest house is about a 15-minute walk from Gora Station along a road that has no streetlights. Bring a small flashlight if you plan to walk back after dark. Alternatively, the guest house can call a taxi for you.
8. Pizza and Craft Beer at Hakone Brewery, near Sengokuhara
Hakone Brewery is a small craft beer operation in the Sengokuhara area, known for its porter and a seasonal yuzu wheat beer. About three years ago, they added a wood-fired pizza oven to the outdoor seating area, and it has become one of the more popular stops for visitors exploring the Sengokuhara wetlands and the area around the Prince Hakone Hotel.
The Vibe? Laid-back and outdoorsy. Picnic tables, string lights, and the smell of wood smoke. It feels like a beer garden that happens to serve excellent pizza.
The Bill? Pizzas are 1,300 to 1,800 yen. Beers range from 700 to 900 yen for a pint.
The Standout? The smoked chicken and jalapeno pizza paired with the house porter. The bitterness of the beer against the smoky, spicy pizza is a combination I have not found anywhere else in Hakone.
The Catch? The outdoor seating is exposed to the elements. On windy days, the oven struggles to maintain temperature, and pizza quality can be inconsistent. The Wi-Fi is also unreliable near the back tables.
I recommend going on a calm, clear afternoon between 15:00 and 17:00. The light in Sengokuhara during the late afternoon is beautiful, especially in autumn when the susuki grass turns golden.
Local tip: Sengokuhara has a walking trail through the marshland that is free and takes about 40 minutes. It is one of the most underrated experiences in Hakone, and most visitors drive right past it on their way to Owakudani. Combine the walk with a pizza and beer stop for a perfect afternoon.
When to Go and What to Know
Hakone's pizza scene is small enough that you could hit four or five of these spots in a long weekend. The busiest periods are Golden Week (late April to early May), Obon (mid-August), and the autumn foliage season (mid-November). During these windows, expect waits at every location and consider making reservations wherever possible.
Most of these places accept cash only or have limited card acceptance. Carry at least 5,000 yen in cash when you head out for pizza. The exception is Bakery & Table, which takes all major cards.
Transportation in Hakone can be slow. The Hakone Free Pass, available at Odakyu counters in Shinjuku, covers most local buses, the ropeway, and the pirate ship on Lake Ashi. It is the most practical option if you plan to move between neighborhoods. Taxis are available but expensive, a short ride from Gora to Miyanoshita can cost 2,000 yen or more.
If you are visiting during winter (December through February), check hours carefully. Some locations reduce their schedules or close entirely for a few weeks in January. The mountain weather is also unpredictable, and road conditions can affect bus service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water in Hakone safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?
Tap water in Hakone is safe to drink and is sourced from the same mountain springs that feed the area's onsen. The water quality meets Japan's national standards, which are among the strictest in the world. Most restaurants serve tap water without being asked, and there is no need to seek out filtered alternatives unless you have a specific preference.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Hakone?
Vegetarian options are available at most pizza places in Hakone, with margherita and vegetable-based pizzas being standard menu items. Fully vegan options are more limited. Some locations can prepare pizza without cheese if requested in advance, but plant-based cheese substitutes are not widely available. It is best to call ahead and confirm, especially at smaller establishments with fixed menus.
Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Hakone?
There are no formal dress codes at any of the pizza restaurants in Hakone. Casual attire is acceptable everywhere. The main etiquette to remember is removing shoes if you enter a tatami-seated area, which applies to a few of the older establishments. Tipping is not practiced in Japan and can cause confusion. At onsen facilities near restaurants, follow standard bathing etiquette, washing thoroughly before entering the bath and keeping towels out of the water.
Is Hakone expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers?
A mid-tier daily budget for Hakone runs approximately 15,000 to 22,000 yen per person. This includes accommodation at a mid-range ryokan or hotel (8,000 to 12,000 yen), two meals (3,000 to 5,000 yen for pizza or similar dining), local transportation (1,500 to 2,500 yen with the Hakone Free Pass), and entrance fees to attractions (1,500 to 2,500 yen). Budget an additional 2,000 to 3,000 yen for snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Hakone is famous for?
The must-try local specialty is the black egg, or kuro-tamago, sold at Owakudani. These eggs are boiled in the volcanic hot springs and turn black due to the sulfur. Locals say each one adds seven years to your life. They cost about 500 yen for five eggs and are eaten on the spot at the Owakudani station area. The taste is similar to a regular hard-boiled egg with a slightly sulfurous aroma, but the experience of eating them with the volcanic steam rising around you is what makes it memorable.
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