Lake Ashinoko

What to know

Lake Ashinoko (芦ノ湖, 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 lake's shores are mostly undeveloped except for small towns in the east and north and a couple of lakeside resort hotels.

The best views of the lake in combination with Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from Moto-Hakone (a few steps south from the sightseeing boat pier), 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 afternoon hours.

Two companies, Hakone Sightseeing Boats and Hakone Pleasure Cruise, operate boats from Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi at the lake's southern shores to Togendai and Kojiri at the lake's northern end (25-40 minutes, 1700 yen one way) and Hakone-en at the eastern shore (15-30 minutes, 1000 yen one way). The Hakone Free Pass is valid on the pirate ship-shaped Hakone Sightseeing Boats but not on the Hakone Pleasure Cruises, which serve Hakone-en and Kojiri.

Frequent buses connect Odawara via Hakone-Yumoto with Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi at the southern end of Lake Ashinoko. The one way journey from Odawara takes about 50 minutes and costs 1510 yen. From Hakone-Yumoto it takes about 35 minutes and costs 1210 yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on Hakone Tozan buses (bus line H) but not on Izuhakone buses (bus line Z).

There is also a frequently served Hakone Tozan Bus line from Odawara via Hakone-Yumoto to Togendai at the northern end of Lake Ashinoko (bus line T). The one way journey from Odawara takes about 50 minutes, costs 1620 yen and is covered by the Hakone Free Pass. From Hakone-Yumoto it takes about 35 minutes and costs 1330 yen.