basic information

Lake Ashi (Japanese: Ashinoko) was formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after the volcano's last eruption 3000 years ago. Today, the lake with Mount Fuji in the background is the symbol of Hakone.

The best views of the lake in combination with Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from Moto-Hakone, from the Hakone Detached Palace Garden and from the sightseeing boats cruising the lake.

Note however, that clouds and poor visibility often block the view of Mount Fuji, and you have to consider yourself lucky if you get a clear view of the mountain. Visibility tends to be better during the colder seasons of the year than in summer, and in the early morning and late evening hours.

Two companies, Hakone Sightseeing Boats and Izuhakone Sightseeing Boats, operate boats between Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi at the lake's southern shores and Togendai and Kojiri at the northern shores.

A boat cruise from one end of the lake to the other takes roughly 30 minutes and costs 970 yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on the pirate ship shaped Hakone Sightseeing Boats but not on boats operated by Izuhakone.

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how to get there

From Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto

Frequent buses connect Odawara via Hakone-Yumoto with Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi at the southern end of Lake Ashi. The one way journey from Odawara takes about 50 minutes and costs 1150 yen. From Hakone-Yumoto it takes about 35 minutes and costs 930 yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on Hakone Tozan buses but not on Izuhakone buses.

There is also a frequently served Hakone Tozan Bus line from Odawara via Hakone-Yumoto to Togendai at the northern end of Lake Ashi (covered by the Hakone Free Pass). The one way journey from Odawara takes about 50 minutes and costs 1200 yen. From Hakone-Yumoto it takes about 35 minutes and costs 1020 yen.

A slow and scenic way of approaching Lake Ashi from Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto is taking the Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora, followed by a cablecar and ropeway ride to Togendai at the northern end of of the lake. From Togendai one can continue by sightseeing boat to Moto-Hakone or Hakone-machi. The whole journey is covered by the Hakone Free Pass.

From Yugawara

There are buses from Yugawara Station to Hakone-machi and Moto-Hakone (operated by Hakone Tozan and Izuhakone). Each company operates about one bus per hour in direction of Hakone during mornings only and in direction of Yugawara during afternoons only.

The one way journey from Yugawara to Moto-Hakone takes 45-60 minutes and costs 1250 yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on Hakone Tozan buses but not on Izuhakone buses.

From Atami

There are buses (operated by Izuhakone Bus) from Atami Station to Hakone-machi every hour. The one way journey takes about 60 minutes and costs 1150 yen. The Hakone Free Pass is not valid on Izuhakone buses.

From Mishima

There are buses from Mishima Station to Hakone-machi and Moto-Hakone (operated by Numazu Tozan Tokai Bus) every hour. The one way journey from Mishima to Moto-Hakone takes about 50 minutes and costs 1000 yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on these buses.

From Gotemba

There are two buses per hour between Gotemba Station and the northern and eastern shores of Lake Ashi (operated by Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus). The one way journey from Gotemba to Togendai takes about 30 minutes and costs 990 yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on these buses.

How to get to and around Hakone

news and reports

Hakone Autumn Color Report November 4, 2009

travel community

Popularity of Lake Ashinoko:
Users who have been to Hakone: 691
Users who have been to Lake Ashinoko: 392

1st of 14 most visited sights in Hakone.
48th of 554 most visited sights nationwide.

Ratings for Lake Ashinoko:

japan-guide.com Rating:		outstanding
User Rating (by 235 users):	81/100	recommended

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hotels & ryokan

Kappa Tengoku A ryokan with onsen baths surrounded by trees. From 3300Yen. Located just above Odakyu Hakone Yumoto Station. Hakone Suimeisou An onsen ryokan on riverside. 3 min walk from Hakone Yumoto Sta. Internet connections in lobby. Check-out until 11AM. Hakone Senkei Choose from Japanese traditional ryokan, private guest residence and budget hotel. 10 min walk from Hakone Yumoto station. Tonosawa Ichinoyu Honkan Experience Hakone�fs hot springs at this traditional Japanese style ryokan with private open air baths in selected rooms. Lakeside Inn Charlotte A friendly pension, right in front of the beautiful Lake Ashinoko. Free breakfast and Internet. Checkout time is noon.

tours and packages

Mount Fuji and Hakone Tours Various tours and travel packages for Mount Fuji and surroundings.

english links

japanese links