Story
The story of Lake Ashi
Lake Ashi's name simply means 'lake of reeds'. It is a crater lake inside the caldera of Mount Hakone, a complex volcano that last erupted in 1170, at Ōwakudani. The historic Tōkaidō road, the main route linking Kyoto and Tokyo, passed this way, and large sections of the old road are preserved nearby.
Hakone Shrine, visited for centuries by shōguns, samurai and travellers, stands on the shore, and Onshi Park, set up in 1886 as a summer retreat for the imperial family, is now open to everyone. Curiously, the lake does not drain towards Odawara through the Haya River, but towards Susono through the Fukara Aqueduct, completed in 1670. On the water you will see sightseeing boats styled as pirate ships. The cruise service began in 1950, and each vessel can carry at least 500 passengers.
Crossing from Tōgendai on the north shore to the south shore takes 25 minutes, and a full loop of the lake about 90.
This story is compiled from Wikipedia and other open sources; dates and numbers are checked against the source. The text is shared under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Source ↗
Hear this story on the spot, in a natural voice
On Sightlore, the story of Lake Ashi is narrated in a natural voice in 5 languages. When you arrive, say "I'm here" and get your passport stamp.
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More highlights in Mount Fuji & Hakone
- Oshino HakkaiOshino Hakkai are the eight springs found in Oshino, Yamanashi, Japan. The aquifer water from Mount Fuji comes out to the ground to form these springs.
- Yamanashi Prefectural Fujisan World Heritage CenterYamanashi Prefecture's guidance centre in Fujikawaguchiko, opened in 2016 after Mount Fuji was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2013.
- Arakurayama Sengen ParkArakurayama Sengen Park is a block park located at 3353 Arakura, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Installed in October 1959. Located on the hillside of Mount Arakura, it covers an area of about 4.3 hectares.
- Hakone BarrierThe Hakone Barrier was a security checkpoint which was established by the Tokugawa Shogunate on the Tōkaidō highway connecting the capital of Edo with Kyoto in Edo period Japan. In 1923, the site was recognized as a National Historic Site.
- ŌwakudaniŌwakudani is a volcanic valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It was created around 3,000 years ago, as a result of the explosion of the Hakone volcano.
- Hakone Open-Air MuseumThe Hakone Open-Air Museum, opened in 1969, is Japan's first open-air museum. It is located in Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture.