Lake Ashi
芦ノ湖
A crater lake in Hakone. Cross the water on the flamboyantly styled pirate ship sightseeing boat, and on clear days you can see Mount Fuji and the vermilion torii of Hakone Shrine rising from the water all at once.
Lake Ashi is a crater lake formed after the Hakone volcano erupted about 3,000 years ago. At about 723 meters above sea level, its long, narrow surface can be seen from the south shore at Motohakone and Hakone-machi Port. The lake, cedar forests, the vermilion Peace Torii of Hakone Shrine, and Mount Fuji can all appear together, making this one of Hakone's signature views. The most famous experience on the lake is the Hakone Pirate Ship sightseeing boat, styled after old European warships. Its route connects Togendai, Hakone-machi Port, and Motohakone Port. The one-way trip takes about 25 to 40 minutes and costs about 1,200 yen, and the Hakone Free Pass is valid. The Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise also operates on the same waters. After disembarking, you can walk from Motohakone to Hakone Shrine, or visit Hakone-machi to see the Edo-period Hakone Checkpoint and the old Tōkaidō cedar avenue. It is recommended as the final leg of the Hakone loop. After the ropeway from Sōunzan through Owakudani to Togendai, take the boat to Motohakone, explore the shrine, and return to Hakone-Yumoto by bus. Note that Mount Fuji is often hidden by clouds in summer and rainy weather. Winds pick up in the afternoon, and the deck is cold. On autumn-foliage weekends, boat tickets have long queues.
Opening hours
Pirate ship approx. 09:30–17:00 (seasonal changes)
Nearby sights
- Hakone Shrine
- Hakone Checkpoint
- Owakudani
- Old Tokaido Road & Amazake-chaya
- Pola Museum of Art
- Hakone Gora Park
- Hakone Open-Air Museum
- Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields