Hakone

Mt. Fuji from Hakone NP

Hakone (箱根) is a mountainous area west of Tokyo in Japan. The Hakone checkpoint on the historical Tokaido road marks the beginning of the Kanto region. Administratively, the town of Hakone (箱根町 Hakone-machi) is a part of the Ashigarashimo district in Kanagawa prefecture.

The volcanically active Hakone National Park, centered around Lake Ashinoko, is a popular tourist attraction well known for its onsen hot springs and its views of Mt. Fuji. Sights include the Great Boiling Valley (大涌谷 Ōwakudani) and Hakone Shrine nestled on the shore of the lake.

Hakone is best accessed from Odawara, the terminus of the Odakyu Odawara Line, 70 minutes from Shinjuku, Tokyo. From Odawara, the Odakyu Hakone-Tozan Line continues into various resort towns in Hakone. Owakudani can be reached by cablecar from Sounzan and the lake, while the lake is crisscrossed by disguised pirate ships.

When Japanese say "pirate" (or its translation "kaizoku"), they seldom conceive a negative image of feloneous robber. Pirates for Japanese children are at worst those in Disneyland and more often righteous hiroes. See also Captain Harlock and One Piece.

A popular "Hakone Free Pass", allowing unlimited use of most forms of transport for several days, is available.

External Link

• Hakone home page (in English)

Referenced By