LAKE ASHI

Lake Ashi Hakone is a popular tourist destination, famous for the pirate ships and picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and the floating torii of Hakone Shrine. Lake Ashi , often referred to as Hakone Lake, but formally known as Ashinoko Lake, is a scenic lake in the Hakone area of Kanagawa Prefecture in Honshu, Japan. Lake Ashi is a crater lake that lies along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mount Hakone, a complex volcano. Lake Ashi is known for the numerous Onsen (hot springs) in the area. Lake Ashi is also promoted for its views of Mt Fuji, however the chances of see Mt Fuji are low due to the frequent low cloud and mist. At best you will only see part of the Mt Fuji cone.

Several pleasure boats and ferries traverse the lake, providing scenic views for tourists and passengers. One of the boats is a full-scale replica of a man-of-war pirate ship.

There are a range of organised tours from Tokyo to Hakone and Mount Fuji. This is the easiest and most time efficient way to combine these two attractions.