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The hotel is modern with lovely big rooms, comfortable beds, and private bathrooms. The pirate ship sightseeing boat takes you across Lake Ashi to the opposite south end of the lake. The boat first stops at Hakone-machi port and then continues to Moto-Hakone port before turning around and going back to its start, Togendai Port by Togendai Ropeway Station.
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The shrine was popular among samurai as they would pray for strength before battles. You will find the Lakeside Panorama Pavilion or Lakeside Observation Building right behind the ruins for the summer palace, which is said to have Hakone’s best view of Mt Fuji. Make sure to go up to the balcony on the 2nd floor to enjoy the lake view with Mt Fuji as a backdrop. After about a 10 min ride on the Hakone Ropeway, the ropeway will make a stop at the mysterious Owakudani Station at 1044 meters. As soon as you step out of the cable car, you will understand why it is also called “Hell Valley.” The volcanic smoke and strong sulfur smell hit you immediately. The volcanic valley landscape looks like something out of Star Wars.
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At Lake Ashi, a serene lake surrounded by mountains, a pirate ship cruise runs between the three ports of Hakonemachi-ko, Motohakone-ko and Togendai-ko. Three ships with different designs sail on the lake, and the visitors can enjoy the grand view of the ships passing by each other. During the cruise, there will be a spot where the passengers can view Mt. Fuji, the red torii gate of Hakone Shrine and the lake all at once, so have your cameras ready. The Hakone “pirate ships” ferry passengers between three lakeside piers, with the Hakone-machi dock being the closest to the old highway and checkpoint. Morning cruises depart from the Hakone-machi dock for the Motohakone docks, where it is just a short walking to Hakone Shrine and Onshi-Hakone Park.
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The entire round-trip will take approximately 55 minutes and is a must to do on your trip to Hakone. Another option is to take your time, get off at some of the stops for some sightseeing, making your way back gradually. Taking a sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi (芦ノ湖, Ashi-no-ko in Japanese), is one of the best ways to see the area and learn a bit about the lake itself. Shibayama recommends that passengers ride in the first-class cabin of the ship, an experience she insist is worth the extra fee. Located at the front of the ship, the first-class cabin is roomy and comfortable and has its own observation deck boasting an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape.
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If you spend a night or more in Hakone, check out our section Other Things To Do In Hakone below. If you happen to be in Hakone at the end of July and the beginning of August, you will be able to enjoy the fantastic Summer Matsuri Festival. Hakone Shrine’s floating torii gate should not be mistaken with the famous Itsukushima’s floating torii gate on the sacred Miyajima Island outside Hiroshima. The park has a criss-cross of walking paths perfect for a stroll. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms during spring in summer, the blooming lilies, and in autumn, the autumn colors.
There are limited tickets available so you get to enjoy the extra luxury without the crowds. So if you’re wondering which Hakone boat to choose, let me suggest the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise boats. The trip back to Togendai-ko is much like the ride out except seeing the same places again can actually help you notice things you might have missed the first time. Up on the top deck, you are afforded a 360 degree view of the lake and Hakone area.
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Hakone’s attractions are spread out over a big mountain and valley area. But it is easy to get around between the different areas of Hakone by bus, train, and ropeways. Nowadays, Hakone is all about the tourist industry, both domestic and international, with views of Mt Fuji and its many onsen/ hot spring resorts as its main attractions.
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There are 3 departure points for the Sightseeing Cruise, but most people primarily use the Hakonemachi Port, on the south side of the lake, and the Togendai Port on the north side of the lake. Hakonemachi Port is where most of the hotels and accommodation is, and is the town centre. Many visitors combine the cruise with other attractions in the Hakone area, such as the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone Shrine, and Hakone Ropeway. The Hakone Sightseeing cruise is definitely one of the top things to do in Hakone, and should be on your itinerary if you are in the area. From Odawara, you will have to use trains that are not JR (not covered by the JR Pass) and transfer to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
If you don’t have the Freepass, check this website for up-to-date prices. On at least one of the ship’s walls have ōkawakumiko latticework and other decorative elements. For an extra fee, you can choose the First class cabin or the “Special room”.
You will soon walk past Hakone Checkpoint, the old Edo checkpoint Hakone Sekisho marking the Kanto region border (greater Tokyo). Here you will find a replica of what this old checkpoint looked like during the Edo period, kind of like an open-air museum. After a stop at Owakudani, the ropeway will continue further up and take you to its end station – Togendai Station.
It is located southwest of Hakone-Yumoto and is reachable via a 40-minute bus ride from Yumoto station. That is Hakone’s popular sightseeing cruise, which takes you across Lake Ashi (also known as Ashinoko or Hakone Lake). The Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, commonly referred to as the Hakone Pirate Ship, is a must see attraction in Hakone. Departing from three docks around the lake, this sightseeing cruise is a perfect way to see the stunning scenery Hakone has to offer. All of the boats share a family-friendly pirate theme, but each one boasts distinctive facilities.
It is possible to do this itinerary as a day-trip from, for instance, Tokyo, if you start out very early. With two days in Hakone, you also get more time to enjoy this scenic mountain area, do some hikes, and explore its many attractions fully. Onboard, most people head immediately up to the top decks for the best views, thus those areas are always quite crowded. The advantage of staying in one of these rooms is that you are able to listen to some pre-recorded information about things you can see around the lake. These announcements are made in both Japanese and English and can be useful in learning about local landmarks such as Hakone Shrine and its torii gate located in the water.
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