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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu 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 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 cartoonishly decorated "pirate" ships for tourists.
Torii at Hakone Shrine on Lake Ashi
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) (http://www.kankou.hakone.kanagawa.jp/index_e.html)
Fuji from Hakone NP Torii of the shrine in Hakone, at the lake Ashi
The Hakone checkpoint on the historical Tokaido road marks the beginning of Japan's Kanto region, and the annual Hakone Ekiden at the New Year runs from Tokyo to Hakone and back over two days, partly in commemoration of the Tokaido road.
Hakone hosts substantial tourist activity, and many, both Japanese and international visitors come to Hakone to relax, for treatment at the health resorts, or to visit the parks and mountains.
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