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Lake Ashi

Lake · Hakone, 🇯🇵 Japan
Area 7 km²
Time zone Asia/Tokyo
Lake Ashi

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Featured Lists

Koichi Oda / CC BY-SA 2.0

Lake Ashi: The Absolute Essentials

Lake Ashi, a volcanic caldera formed 3,000 years ago, serves as the centerpiece for Hakone’s historical and natural landmarks. This selection includes the 8th-century Hakone Shrine with its iconic lakeside torii gate, the active sulfur vents of Owakudani, and the reconstructed Edo-period Hakone Checkpoint. The area is navigable via pirate-themed sightseeing cruises and the Komagatake Ropeway, which provides access to 1,356-meter summits overlooking Mount Fuji. Cultural sites such as the Yamanaka Fort ruins and the former Imperial summer residence at Onshi Hakone Park offer insight into the region's feudal and royal history.

12 places
PekePON / CC BY-SA 3.0

Viewpoints and Peaks

This collection features the most prominent vantage points around Lake Ashi. The Hakone Komagatake Ropeway ascends to the 1,356-meter summit of Mount Komagatake, offering views of the lake and Mount Fuji. Onshi Hakone Park, once the site of a summer residence for the Imperial Family, provides multiple observation decks and historical architecture like the Lakeside Observation Building. These locations offer a mix of natural summits and historical checkpoints overlooking the Hakone caldera.

6 places
Aimaimyi / CC BY-SA 3.0

Sacred Shinto Shrines

This collection highlights the spiritual landmarks surrounding Lake Ashi, centered on the historic Hakone Shrine complex. Significant sites include the Mototsumiya (Okumiya) situated atop Mount Komagatake and the Kuzuryu Shrine, dedicated to a legendary nine-headed dragon. These locations showcase traditional Shinto architecture, including iconic lakeside torii gates and mountain-top sanctuaries, many of which date back to the 8th century and have deep ties to the region's samurai and maritime history.

13 places
Ka23 13 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Hakone Ropeways & Stations

This collection features the two distinct aerial lift systems in the Hakone region: the Hakone Ropeway and the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway. The Hakone Ropeway connects Sounzan to Togendai, passing over the active volcanic valley of Owakudani. The Hakone Komagatake Ropeway runs from the shores of Lake Ashi at Hakone-en to the 1,327-meter summit of Mount Komagatake, home to the Hakone Mototsumiya shrine. Both systems serve as major transport links offering views of Mount Fuji and the surrounding Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

6 places
663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0

Hakone Museums & Galleries

Hakone’s cultural landscape features a diverse array of specialized museums and historical sites. The collection includes meticulously reconstructed Edo-period checkpoints, galleries housing Nihonga-style paintings, and educational centers focused on the region's volcanic geology. Visitors can explore the history of the Tokaido road, the traditions of the annual Ekiden relay race, and the spiritual significance of ancient stone Buddhist statues located along the mountain trails.

10 places

Lake Ashi — Map

Lake Ashi — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor
  • 6° (feels like 1°) · extremes -3°–10°
  • 1° at night
  • 6 rainy days
  • 15 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor
  • 7° (feels like 2°) · extremes -3°–12°
  • 1° at night
  • 7 rainy days
  • 13 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Poor
  • 10° (feels like 5°) · extremes -1°–15°
  • 3° at night
  • 11 rainy days
  • 12 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Fair
  • 13° (feels like 10°) · extremes 2°–18°
  • 7° at night
  • 11 rainy days
  • 11 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Good
  • 17° (feels like 15°) · extremes 8°–21°
  • 12° at night
  • 13 rainy days
  • 8 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in June

Good
  • 20° · extremes 12°–24°
  • 15° at night
  • 16 rainy days
  • 3 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Good
  • 24° (feels like 25°) · extremes 16°–27°
  • 19° at night
  • 17 rainy days
  • 3 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Muggy, humid air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in August

Good
  • 25° (feels like 27°) · extremes 18°–28°
  • 21° at night
  • 16 rainy days
  • 4 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Muggy, humid air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in September

Good
  • 23° · extremes 14°–26°
  • 18° at night
  • 15 rainy days
  • 5 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Humid air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Good
  • 18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 9°–22°
  • 13° at night
  • 12 rainy days
  • 9 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Fair
  • 13° (feels like 10°) · extremes 4°–18°
  • 8° at night
  • 9 rainy days
  • 13 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in December

Poor
  • 8° (feels like 4°) · extremes -1°–13°
  • 3° at night
  • 7 rainy days
  • 15 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 2 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency
Japanese Yen JPY ¥ · Card payments · Commonly accepted
Emergency numbers
118
Electricity
Type A / Type B
100 V · 60 Hz
Languages
Japanese
Tap water
Safe to drink
Driving side
Left
Calling code
+81
Learn more

Tours & Activities

Hakone Shrine
Drive
Owakudani
Drive
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise

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Hakone