HAKONE

Hakone is the area surrounding Mt. Hakone-yama in the southwestern part of Kanagawa, and is part of the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. Hakone is a holiday resort with many renowned spas as well as Lake Ashino-ko, which was created by Mt. Fuji’s volcanic activity. Hakone spas are referred to as “Hakone Thirteen Spas” or “Hakone Seventeen Spas” which are distinguished from each other by their distinctive ingredients and healing effects. The Hakone Barrier was built on the Tokaido Highway in 1619 in order to fortify the capital Edo (later Tokyo) against foreign clans from the west and to maintain public peace. The Hakone Barrier used to terrify travelers as they were thoroughly inspected before they were allowed to continue on their way. For this reason, Hakone used to be called “the border between the east and the west.” The original barrier, which has been restored with related information, including armor and weapons, is open to the public. Rows of cedar trees stretch for 2 km along the old Tokaido road, and the group of stone statues of Buddha is enshrined in Hakone. Sites to visit include Onshi Hakone Park, where you can see Mt. Fuji reflected up-sidedown on the sur face of Lake Ashino-ko nearby. Hakone Museum houses a fascinating pottery collection. Hakone Sengokubara Shissei Kaen has a beautiful garden of hydrophytes, and the wetland plant colony is also worth a visit.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Hakone-Yumoto

Hakone-Yumoto, 1 hour 30 minutes by Odakyu Railways’ limited express from Shinjuku, is a main gateway to the Hakone Spa District. Yumoto Spa, the oldest in the district, sprang up at the confluence of the Sukumo River and the Hayakawa River, the outlet of Lake Ashi. Well-appointed inns are located in quiet settings along the picturesque gorge.

Miyanoshita

Miyanoshita, 25 minutes by rail from Hakone-Yumoto, is a thriving spa town in Hakone, with many excellent hotels and inns as well as souvenir shops. This spa is very popular with foreign travelers. It is a starting point for side tours to Lake Ashi, Gora Spa and the Sengokuhara Plain. Delightful walks and drives can be enjoyed through the wooded hills and vales.

Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi, 725 m above sea level, is a principal attraction of Hakone. It has a circumference of 21 km with an aquatic area of 680 ha. The lake abounds in black bass and trout, which makes angling the main leisure activity, along with boating. It is also well known for the inverted reflection of Mt. Fuji seen on a clear day. Regular pleasure boat service links Togendai or Kojiri on the north and Moto-Hakone or Hakone-Machi on the south, some with a stopover at Hakone-en Park en route.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum

The Hakone Open-Air Museum (Chokoku-no-mori- Museum) is the first open-air art museum in Japan. Set in the stunning landscape of Hakone, a 2-minute walk from Chokoku-no-mori Station on Hakone-Tozan Railway. Open: year round, 9:00-17:00 (enter by 16:30). Admission: ¥1,600 includes The Picasso Pavilion, which has a collection of over 300 works by Picasso.

Owakudani

Owakudani, 5-7 minutes by ropeway from Sounzan, lies in the ancient crater of Mt. Kamiyama. The entire gorge is permeated with sulfurous fumes. Clouds of steam rise from crevasses, and hot springs bubble out, some of which are tapped and piped far away.