Lake Ashinoko

The lake is said to have been created about 3100 years ago when a phreatic explosion caused by volcanic activity caused the sediment from a large collapsed mountain to dam the river. In fact, most of the water is rainwater rather than spring water, which is the source of the river. It is a huge puddle of water.

There are many leisure facilities and souvenir stores along the lakeside, and sightseeing boats that cruise around the lake are very popular. There are also many historical spots such as Hakone Sekisho (Hakone barrier), cedar trees along the old Tokai Kaido road, and Onshi Park, which was opened on the site of an imperial detached palace. Mt. Fuji can be seen reflected on the surface of the lake from the southern shore.

It is also a famous fishing spot, where you can catch wakasagi (smelt), rainbow trout, black bass. Wakasagi caught on the opening day of the season, October 1, are presented to the imperial family every year.

There is also a mystical aspect. The lake was originally the sacred area of Hakone Gongen (now Hakone Shrine), where mountain priests performed misogi. Legend has it that a dragon with nine heads once inhabited the lake, but was subdued by Manmaki Shonin's prayers and enshrined as the Nine-Headed Dragon Myojin.