2026 Lake Ashi Cool Stroll Full-Day Course

This is a day of cooling off in the cedar groves' shade and the breeze off the lake at Hakone's Lake Ashi (芦ノ湖), spread across a highland at an elevation of about 720 meters. Formed in a caldera and ringed by an outer rim of mountains, Lake Ashi stays cooler than the lowlands, and even from September into October, when the heat lingers, the lakeshore is wrapped in pleasant coolness. In the morning, start with the cedar-lined avenue on the old Hakone Highway. Lined with large cedar trees said to have been planted in the Edo period, the avenue is a cool tunnel of shade even in midsummer. Next, explore the history at the Hakone Checkpoint (箱根関所), a restoration of the Edo-period checkpoint (9:00-17:00, open year-round, adults 500 yen / children 250 yen). In the hot afternoon hours, it's finally time for a stroll along the shore of Lake Ashi. The breeze blowing across the water and the mountain greenery help you forget the heat of the city. Check the official websites of the Hakone Pirate Ship (箱根海賊船) and Hakone Sightseeing Boat (箱根遊船) for cruise operating hours. It's a course for touring Hakone's cool spots at a relaxed, family-friendly pace.