Looking for a relaxing day in Hakone that combines lakeside scenery, historic shrines, panoramic views of Mount Fuji, and a soothing hot spring experience? This Hakone Lake Ashi itinerary takes you around the peaceful shores of Lake Ashinoko, from the iconic floating torii gate of Hakone Shrine to the scenic grounds of Onshi-Hakone Park and the breathtaking summit of Mt. Komagatake. Designed as a slower-paced hub day, this route is ideal for travelers staying near the lake and seeking a balance of culture, nature, and relaxation. Along the way, you'll discover sacred shrines, beautiful Fuji viewpoints, local dining options, and one of Hakone's most scenic lakeside onsen experiences.
Morning: Moto-Hakone & Hakone Shrine
Photos: PHOTO AC
Start with the walk from the hotel around to Moto-Hakone, arriving in time to see the lake at its calmest. The first stop is Hakone Shrine's lakeside torii, known as the "Peace Torii" rising out of the water — one of the most photographed spots in the whole Hakone area, and worth visiting early before the crowds build up. Away from the lakeshore, a path flanked by lanterns leads up a series of steps to the shrine buildings, tucked into the dense forest. If you are a fan of Japanese antiques or swords, the Treasure Hall is worth visiting — it houses numerous valuable treasures, including items designated as Important Cultural Properties.
A second shrine, Motomiya ("original shrine"), stands at the summit of Komagatake and is accessible by the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway from Hakone-en or via hiking trails — this guide's afternoon itinerary visits it in detail.
Midday: Onshi-Hakone Park
Photos: PHOTO AC
On the other side of Moto-Hakone Port, a small cape juts out into Lake Ashinoko — this is Onshi-Hakone Park. This cape used to be the site of an imperial detached palace (the former Hakone Detached Palace), which today offers the best combined view of the lake and Mount Fuji from the Benten-no-hana observation deck. The trees within the park are well maintained, with seasonal flowers such as Fuji cherry and mountain lilies dotted throughout. The white-walled Lakeside Observation Building stands out against the garden's greenery. From its second-floor lounge, Ryokushian (綠賜庵), and balcony, you're assured an impressive view of Mount Fuji, Lake Ashinoko, and the surrounding mountains.
Photos: PHOTO AC
Depending on how the morning has gone, the Hakone Checkpoint Museum and the Hakone Ashinoko Narukawa Art Museum are both nearby and worth considering as optional add-ons if there's time and energy left before lunch. There are plenty of options to enjoy lunch and afternoon tea at Moto-Hakone Port, including:
- Moto-Hakone Port
- Unagi Hasegawa (うなぎ長谷川) – A specialty restaurant where you can savor the rich, natural flavor of perfectly grilled eel.
- Hakone Hyakuyaku (箱根百薬) – A lunch spot known for its traditional tofu paired with an assortment of mushrooms, from a long-established Hakone establishment.
- Moto-Hakone Port (Afternoon Tea)
- Ryokushian (綠賜庵) – the café inside Onshi-Hakone Park's Lakeside Observation Building; a rich, aromatic coffee paired with sweet cookies, with a sweeping view of Mount Fuji through the window.
- Hakone Cheese Terrace (箱根チーズテラス) – Cheesecake made with rich, fresh milk from local Minami-Hakone dairies.
- Hakone Butter Sand SUN SAN D (箱根バターサンド SUN SAN D) – Butter sandwiches that capture the deep flavor and fluffy texture of premium butter.
- Coffee & Vista HAKONE (3rd floor of Bakery&Table 箱根) – Carefully hand-dripped house-roasted and specialty coffees, best enjoyed while taking in the view of Lake Ashinoko and the slow, relaxed pace of resort life.
Afternoon: Mt. Komagatake & Kuzuryu Shrine
Photos: PHOTO AC
After lunch, a walk or Hakone Tozan Bus ride takes you to the foot of Mt. Komagatake, where the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway climbs from the lakeshore to the peak, home to the Hakone Motomiya (the original Hakone Shrine). The summit offers a 360-degree panorama taking in Lake Ashinoko, Mount Fuji, Sagami Bay, and even the Izu Peninsula.
- Standard round-trip fare: ¥2,200, adult
- Guests staying at The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko or the Ryuguden get a discounted round-trip rate (around ¥1,800, adult).
- About 7 minutes from Hakone-en to the Komagatake summit.
Photos: PHOTO AC
From the Komagatake Summit Station of the ropeway, a steep stone staircase leads up to the Motomiya shrine buildings, once famous as a sacred site where mountain ascetics practiced rigorous training. Next to the torii gate, there is a large stone, which is said to be the place where a deity descended riding a white horse.
Photos: PHOTO AC
Northwest of the foot of Mt. Komagatake lies the Hakone Kuzuryu Forest (箱根九頭龍の森). The lakeshore path through this forest has a unique name, Kamiyama-dori ("Sacred Mountain Avenue"), reflecting the sacred myth of Hakone. Occupying the heart of this forest is Kuzuryu Shrine (Main Shrine), which worships the guardian dragon deity of Lake Ashinoko. It is said that visiting all three — Hakone Shrine, Kuzuryu Shrine, and Hakone Motomiya — in a single "three-shrine pilgrimage" (san-sha mairi) brings even greater blessings from the Hakone deity and the dragon god.
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Admission: ¥600, adult
- 20-min walk from Komagatake Ropeway Hakone Station to Kuzuryu Shrine.
Photos: PHOTO AC
Aside from the history, it's a mostly flat walking path with little elevation change, where you can enjoy views of the trees and the lake. A refreshing lakeside breeze passes over the lush green lawns, letting you slowly take in nature's changes and the shift of the seasons.
- Seasonal notes: especially scenic in autumn, when the hillsides around the lake turn color; the ropeway can be closed in high wind or fog, so it's worth having a backup plan for that leg
- Backup options: if the Komagatake Ropeway isn't running, the shrine and park walks can absorb more of the day instead; on a fully rainy day, consider swapping this stop for one of the indoor art museums in the Sengokuhara area (Hakone Venetian Glass Museum, Hakone Lalique Museum, Pola Museum of Art) as a substitute.
Evening: Onsen at Kohan-no-yu & Dinner
If you stay overnight at The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko, as we recommend, be sure to spend some time relaxing at Kohan-no-yu, the hotel's hot spring (onsen) and spa facility. The bath is fed by the hotel's own natural hot spring source, Takogawa Onsen, with beautiful views across Lake Ashinoko (see the hotel's onsen page for more details). If you'd rather unwind with a treatment than soak, the spa offers therapist-led treatments tailored to what you need that day. Kohan-no-yu itself is available exclusively to overnight guests.
There are several restaurants in and around the hotel offering a wide variety of dining options, including Japanese kaiseki cuisine, traditional French cuisine, buffet dining, and casual Japanese favorites such as ramen, soba, and curry rice. Alternatively, you may have dinner in Moto-Hakone, where many restaurants serve dishes prepared with local ingredients and offer regional desserts.
Before you go: The Hakone Checkpoint Museum and the Narukawa Art Museum are optional add-ons. Include them only if time and energy allow. Treat the midday and late-afternoon stops as flexible, and confirm current opening hours before relying on any single attraction.
- Viator has several guided tour options for the Lake Ashinoko area — browse them here.
- A guided tour like this one offers fully customizable 6- or 8-hour itineraries visiting 3 to 5 sites of your choice, so you can build the day around what matters most to you instead of following a fixed route.
Time-Block Itinerary
Start: The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko
End: The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko
| Time | Stop | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Depart hotel → Moto-Hakone | ~30 min walk |
| ~09:00 | Hakone Shrine, Peace Torii, Treasure Hall | About 1 hour |
| 10:00 | Walk toward P9 (photo spot, Hakone-machi branch office lot) | ~20 min walk |
| 10:20 | P9 → Onshi-Hakone Park | Benten-no-hana observation deck, ~10 min walk in |
| ~10:30 | Take a break | lounge in Lakeside Observation Building, About 30 min |
| 11:00 | Walk back to Moto-Hakone | ~30 min walk; optional stops: Checkpoint Museum, Narukawa Art Museum |
| ~12:00 | Lunch | Moto-Hakone |
| 13:00 | Moto-Hakone → foot of Mt. Komagatake | ~40 min walk |
| 13:40 | Hakone Komagatake Ropeway → Hakone Motomiya | ~7 min; ¥1,800 adult round trip for hotel guests |
| ~13:50 | Hakone Motomiya & summit views | About 40 min |
| 14:30 | Hakone Motomiya → ropeway back down | ~10 min |
| 14:40 | Foot of Mt. Komagatake → Kuzuryu Shrine | ~20 min walk |
| ~15:00 | Kuzuryu Shrine | About 30 min |
| 15:30 | Kuzuryu Shrine → hotel | ~20 min walk |
| ~15:50 | The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko | Hotel's onsen & spa |
| ~18:30 | Dinner in hotel | Hakone NADAMAN Garden (箱根 なだ万雅殿) |
Transport Notes
- Most of this day is spent on foot around the lake; the Komagatake Ropeway covers the one leg you can't walk, and the Hakone Tozan Bus is available as an option on any of the walking legs if you'd rather ride.
- If the Hakone Free Pass from the transfer day before is still within its 2-day validity window, it may cover some of this day's local transport; check the exact validity dates against when it was first used.
- The walk between the hotel and Moto-Hakone is flat and lakeside, but allow extra time if the weather is hot or wet.
Cost and Ticket Notes
- Hakone Shrine and Onshi-Hakone Park: free to enter.
- Hakone Komagatake Ropeway: around ¥2,200, adult, round trip (¥1,800 for guests of The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko / Ryuguden).
- Hakone Kuzuryu Forest / Kuzuryu Shrine (Main Shrine): ¥600, adult.
- Onsen at Kohan-no-yu: included for overnight guests of The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko.
- Budget for: lunch in Moto-Hakone, the ropeway ticket, hotel dining (kaiseki) or dinner in Moto-Hakone, and optional entrance fees if adding the Checkpoint Museum or an art museum.
This day pairs well with:
- Tokyo to Hakone Transfer Day — the day before, arriving at the same lakeside hotel
- Hakone to Yokohama Transfer Day — the day after, leaving Hakone for Yokohama via Odawara