Lake Ashinoko (芦ノ湖), also known as Lake Ashi, is a crater lake located in the Hakone area of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The lake was formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone, a volcanic mountain that last erupted over 3,000 years ago.
Lake Ashinoko is a popular tourist destination in the Hakone area, known for its scenic beauty and panoramic views of Mount Fuji. Visitors can take a sightseeing cruise on the lake aboard one of the iconic “Hakone Pirate Ships” (箱根海賊船). These unique vessels, modeled after various historical ships, offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the famous red torii gate of Hakone Shrine.
In addition to the boat cruise, Lake Ashinoko offers a range of other activities and attractions for visitors. The lake is surrounded by walking trails and hiking paths, providing opportunities to explore the surrounding forests and mountains. Several hot springs and resorts located around the lake make it a popular destination for spa and wellness tourism.
The Hakone Ropeway (箱根ロープウェイ) connects Owakudani and Sounzan, offering aerial views of Lake Ashinoko, Mount Fuji, and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also explore the Hakone Checkpoint (箱根関所), a reconstructed Edo-era checkpoint, or visit the historic Hakone Shrine (箱根神社) with its iconic torii gate that stands in the water. The area also boasts a variety of art museums, including the Hakone Glass Forest Museum, the Little Prince Museum, and the Pola Museum of Art.
Attractions of Lake Ashinoko
Nearby Attractions
Getting there
By Train and Bus
From Tokyo:
- Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station (85 minutes by Romance Car)
- Transfer to a Hakone Tozan Bus to Moto-Hakone or Hakone-machi (35 minutes, 1080 yen)
By Direct Bus
From Tokyo:
- Take the Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus from Shinjuku Station to Lake Ashi
- Journey time: About 2 hours
From Odawara
- Take a Hakone Tozan Bus to Moto-Hakone or Hakone-machi
- Journey time: About 50 minutes
- Cost: 1340 yen
From Mishima
- Take a bus (Numazu Tozan Tokai Bus) to Hakone-machi or Moto-Hakone
- Journey time: About 50 minutes
- Cost: 1280 yen
From Gotemba
- Take a bus (Odakyu Highway Bus) to Togendai
- Journey time: About 40 minutes
- Cost: 1080 yen