Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi
Stroll around a section of this lake or sail across it on a pirate ship and, if you’re lucky, you might see a clear view of Mount Fuji rising up in the distance.

Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) is a forest-fringed lake within the ranges of Mount Hakone. The lake was formed within Mount Hakone’s caldera, after the volcano erupted 3,000 years ago. Today, it is a pristine area dotted with small villages, lakeside resorts, pleasant walking paths and dense forests.

Visit Moto-Hakone, a town on the lake’s eastern side that hugs the base of Mount Byobu. A leisurely 1-hour lakeside stroll will bring you to Onshihakone Park, Hakone Detached Palace and Garden, the Hakone Shrine and the village of Hakone-Machi. From the southerly end of this walk, you can catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji aligning with Lake Ashi.

Visit the Hakone Detached Palace, a former summer residence for the Imperial Family, to spot the red torii gates coming out of the water on the opposite bank, marking the entry to the Hakone Shrine. This stunning Shinto shrine is located a short walk from Moto-Hakone. Visit the shrine to experience its solemn spiritual atmosphere and traditional architecture. The shrine is located at the end of a pathway flanked with cedar trees and red lanterns. Snap a photograph of the lake framed through the striking red torii gates.

Take in the view of the lake’s silvery surface from aboard a sightseeing boat. Boats cruise across the lake in approximately 30 minutes and offer the chance to see Lake Ashi’s stunning wild escarpments and mountain vistas. You can ride on a ferry or a boat themed like a pirate ship. Hakone Free Passholders can enjoy free access to the fun-filled pirate ships. Boat trips operate between the southern villages of Moto-Hakone and Hakone-Machi to the northern towns of Togendai and Kojiri.

Lake Ashi can be reached by bus, rail and ropeway. Purchase a Hakone Free Pass to gain unlimited access to the scenic railway, cable car, ropeway and selected buses and boats. Traditional ryokan (inns) and lakeside resorts can be found in each town. Don’t miss the chance to soak in an outdoor hot spring bath (onsen) while visiting Lake Ashi. Take in views of the surrounding mountains any time of the year while relaxing in these Japanese-style spas.

hotel MONday Asakusa
ICI HOTEL Ueno Shin Okachimachi
Hotel MONday Haneda Airport
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit


Top Lake Ashi Hotel Deals

HESTA Hakone
HESTA Hakone
2.5 out of 5
Motohakone 159-205, Hakone-cho, Hakone, Kanagawa
HESTA Hakone
The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko
The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko
4 out of 5
144 Moto-hakone, Hakone, Kanagawa-ken
The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
4.5 out of 5
1297 Ninotaira, Hakone, Kanagawa
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
Ryuguden
Ryuguden
3.5 out of 5
139 Motohakone, Hakone, Kanagawa-ken
Ryuguden
Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
3.5 out of 5
160 Motohakone Togendai, Ashigarashimo-gun, Hakone, Kanagawa-ken
Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
Hotel de Yama, Hakone Lake Side
Hotel de Yama, Hakone Lake Side
3.5 out of 5
80 Motohakone, Hakone, Kanagawa-ken
Hotel de Yama, Hakone Lake Side
Hakone Hotel
Hakone Hotel
4 out of 5
65 Hakone Hakone-Machi, Kanagawa, Hakone, Kanagawa-ken
Hakone Hotel
Hotel Musashiya
Hotel Musashiya
3.5 out of 5
Motohakone 20, Japan, Hakone, Kanagawa
Hotel Musashiya
Hananoyado Fukuya
Hananoyado Fukuya
4 out of 5
Hakone 571-18, Hakonemachi, Hakone, Kanagawa
Hananoyado Fukuya
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.