The garden was established in 1976 specifically to protect and study endangered marshland plant species.
The site is located on the floor of the Sengokuhara basin, which was formed by the collapse of Mount Hakone's central cone.
The boardwalk system allows visitors to observe delicate plants without compacting the sensitive soil of the wetlands.
The garden contains specialized zones that mimic the unique environment of Mount Fuji’s foothills and high-altitude moors.
The collection includes rare alpine flora that are difficult to cultivate in typical lowland gardens.
The Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands is Japan's first botanical garden specializing in marsh and wetland vegetation. It displays approximately 1,700 species of plants native to Japan's highlands and wetlands, arranged in ecological zones. The site features a 1.7-kilometer raised wooden boardwalk that traverses various habitats, including swamps, alpine meadows, and grasslands. The garden showcases distinct seasonal transitions, highlighting flora such as the Japanese primrose, skunk cabbage, and autumn grasses. It serves as a living museum for rare wetland plant preservation. The grounds are situated in the Sengokuhara volcanic basin at an altitude of approximately 650 meters.
The elevated viewing points along the boardwalk that provide a wide-angle perspective of the mountain backdrop behind the marsh.
Walk the entire boardwalk loop to see the full transition from forest edges to open marshland.
Bring a magnifying glass or macro lens to better observe the small-scale detail of the wetland wildflowers.
Wear insect repellent, especially during the humid summer months, as the wetland environment attracts mosquitoes.
Do not attempt to forage or collect plant specimens; the area is a protected botanical research site.
Closed during the winter season from early December through mid-March.
Stay strictly on the wooden boardwalks to avoid damaging the fragile, water-saturated ground and rare plant life.
