Located in the Hakone area of Kanagawa Prefecture, Lake Ashi is a scenic crater lake overlooked by the dramatic Mount Hakone. Along with its stunning views of Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi is renowned for its surrounding hot springs, ancient landmarks and ryokans. You can also traverse the lake using the cruising boats and ferries.
As you explore the shoreline of Lake Ashi you’ll encounter a number of memorable attractions, particularly the historic Hakone Shrine, which dates back to the Nara period and has a small museum with antiques. You can also combine the tranquillity of the lake with verdant native flora at Hakone-en, a botanical garden that was founded in 1976.
Looking for a peaceful retreat on Lake Ashi? Head to Onshihakone Park, a former imperial palace complex with scenic walking paths, waterside picnic areas and an observation platform. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Narukawa Art Museum, which features Nihonga-style paintings, city views, a cafe and gardens.
Getting there
Lake Ashi is just over 1.5 hours’ drive from Tokyo, where you can fly into Haneda Airport. You can also use a combination of trains and buses to get out to the lake, which takes between 2.5 and three hours.