Lake Ashi

#6 among destinations in Japan

Nature, Natural attraction, Top attraction, Lake

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Facts and practical information

Lake Ashi, also known as Ashinoko, is a scenic crater lake in the Hakone area of Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. Framed by the lush slopes of the surrounding mountains and offering postcard views of the iconic Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi is a symbol of natural beauty and tranquility in Japan. The lake is approximately 400,000 years old, a product of a volcanic eruption of the Hakone volcano, and it spans about 7 kilometers in length.

Visitors to Lake Ashi can enjoy a variety of activities such as sightseeing cruises on pirate ship replicas, which provide a unique vantage point for appreciating the serene waters and the picturesque landscape. The lake is also a popular spot for fishing, with a variety of fish species inhabiting its depths, including the prized Japanese smelt.

Cultural landmarks dot the shores of Lake Ashi, including the historic Hakone Shrine, which is nestled in the dense forest and appears as if floating when viewed from the lake. The shrine, with its iconic red torii gate standing in the water, is a serene location that draws both tourists and worshipers.

The area around Lake Ashi is known for its hot springs, with many onsen (hot spring) resorts offering restorative experiences for travelers. The combination of the lake's natural beauty, cultural significance, and recreational opportunities makes Lake Ashi a must-visit destination for those traveling to Japan.

Throughout the seasons, Lake Ashi offers a changing palette of colors, from the delicate pink of cherry blossoms in spring to the fiery hues of autumn leaves. In winter, the sight of Mount Fuji covered with snow, as viewed from the lake, is particularly breathtaking.

Local name: 芦ノ湖 Area: 2.78 mi²Maximum depth: 143 ftElevation: 2362 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 35°12'38"N, 139°0'22"E

Location

KanagawaJapan

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Day trips

Lake Ashi – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone Shrine, Hakone Barrier, Museum of The Little Prince in Hakone.

3.5 miNE
Open-air museum known for sculptures
Hakone Open-Air Museum, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
90 min walk • Nestled in the verdant hills of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the Hakone Open-Air Museum offers a unique blend of nature and artistry that is a must-visit destination for any traveler to Japan. Established in 1969, this pioneering museum has been captivating visitors...
1.2 miE
Shinto shrine and museum next to a lake
Hakone Shrine, Hakone
30 min walk • The Hakone Shrine is a Japanese Shinto shrine on the shores of Lake Ashi in the town of Hakone in the Ashigarashimo District of Kanagawa Prefecture. It is also known as the Hakone Gongen.
1.7 miSE
Museum
Hakone Barrier, Hakone
44 min walk • The 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.
3.9 miN
Museum, Specialty museum, Garden
Museum of The Little Prince in Hakone, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
100 min walk • The Museum of The Little Prince in Hakone is a museum in Sengokuhara, Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The museums is dedicated to the character in the story The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
4.3 miS
Park, Bridge, Scenic walking areas
Skywalk, Mishima
111 min walk • Mishima Skywalk is a pedestrian bridge officially known as the Hakone Seiroku Mishima Suspension Bridge that spans a valley on the southwestern rim of the Mount Hakone caldera in Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan. The primary function of the bridge is to provide visitors with panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay.
3.3 miN
Museum, Art gallery, National park
Pola Museum of Art, Hakone
84 min walk • Pola Museum of Art is located in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It opened in September 2002 within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
5.5 miN
Natural attraction, Mountain, Park
Mount Ashigara, Minamiashigara
140 min walk • Mount Ashigara, also known as Mount Kintoki, is the northernmost peak of the Hakone caldera, on the border of Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures, in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in Japan.
3.8 miN
Scenic gardens with a gift shop
Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands
98 min walk • The Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands is a botanical garden located within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park at 817 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Kanagawa, Japan. It is open daily in the warmer months; an admission fee is charged.
1.7 miNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Mount Hakone, Hakone
43 min walk • Mount Hakone is a complex volcano in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan that is truncated by two overlapping calderas, the largest of which is 10 × 11 km wide.
2.3 miN
Geothermal valley with hot springs
Ōwakudani, Hakone
60 min walk • Ōwakudani 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.
0.9 miNE
Aerial tramway
Hakone Komagatake Ropeway
24 min walk • The Hakone Komagatake Ropeway, officially the Komagatake Ropeway Line, is Japanese aerial lift line in Hakone, Kanagawa, operated by Izu Hakone Railway. The line, opened in 1963, climbs Mount Komagatake from the Lake Ashi lakeside.