Less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo, Hakone is the perfect weekend getaway if you want to relax and revel in natural scenery.

Known nationwide for its hot springs or onsen, Hakone is a sprawling area spread over hills and mountains, and liberally dotted with hot spring resorts, inns, and leisure activities for those hours when you’re not soaking in the revitalizing springs. Depending on the area, the water properties change and offer differing benefits. The sulfur springs of the Ashinoyu area, for example, are said to be good for those suffering from skin conditions like eczema.

For those seeking a more refined experience, many hotels have either “family baths” that can be reserved by the hour, or even private in-room baths, some with spectacular mountain views. And for day-trippers, a visit to a spa allows for the full experience, complete with rotenburo, or outdoor baths surrounded by nature. While a visit to Hakone’s hot springs is wonderful in any season, they are particularly tantalizing in autumn when the changing leaves creating a blazing scenic backdrop. Also in winter, when the bite of cold contrasts with the bone-deep warmth of the mineral springs.