社会｜紅葉シーズンの箱根大混雑 / Society | Hakone’s Massive Crowds During the Autumn Leaves Season

Summary

This year’s final three-day weekend has drawn a flood of tourists to Hakone, all eager to witness its stunning autumn foliage.

At many popular attractions, visitors are facing wait times of over an hour, and there were reports of severe traffic jams on regular roads, with some drivers taking as long as 80 minutes to cover just 1 kilometer. As the appeal of Hakone is being reaffirmed, the congestion is also increasing stress levels among tourists. Given that the autumn foliage season attracts large crowds every year, there will likely be a need for measures to address the congestion in the future.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Chako: Hey Log, it sounds like Hakone is really crowded right now! What’s up with it taking 80 minutes to go just 1 km?
Log: Yeah, it’s the fall foliage season, so tourists are flocking there. I hear some popular spots have wait times of over an hour.
Chako: Wow! You have to wait that long? I wonder why it’s so crowded.
Navi: Hakone is known for its beautiful autumn leaves, attracting many visitors every year. The congestion is a result of its popularity.
Log: That’s true; we definitely need to come up with some crowd control measures. But to enjoy the beauty of the fall colors, we might have to be a little patient.
Chako: I guess so! Still, I wish it could be a bit smoother to visit!

Admin’s Note

The autumn foliage season in Hakone is a special time for many, but the stress caused by the crowds cannot be overlooked. This article highlighted the issues of traffic jams and long wait times. While the appeal of the area as a tourist destination increases, measures to ensure visitors can enjoy their experience comfortably are needed. For example, better traffic management during peak times and information to help avoid congestion could allow more people to enjoy Hakone’s beautiful autumn leaves.