Sight guide · Hakone · Japan
Visiting Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise
Mock pirate ships sail across Lake Ashi, a lake inside the Hakone caldera, between Tōgendai at the northern end and Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi in the south.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise is an experience in Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi, Hakone. Allow 40 minutes; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Experience
- Area
- Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi
- Time needed
- 40 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, views and couples
- Best months
- December–February
About Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise
Mock pirate ships sail across Lake Ashi, a lake inside the Hakone caldera, between Tōgendai at the northern end and Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi in the south. The crossing takes about 25–40 minutes and passes the red torii of Hakone Shrine.
Tip: Sit on the left side heading south from Tōgendai for the best view of Mount Fuji, and on the open upper deck for photographs of the shrine's torii.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 40 minutes.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi, lakeside villages at the southern end of Lake Ashi.
Best time to visit Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- February: 8°C (46°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- January: 7°C (45°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- December: 9°C (48°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-February the sun sets at about 17:26 local time (calculated for Hakone).
When to visit Hakone has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Hakone itinerary visits Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise on day 2, together with Hakone Ropeway and Hakone Shrine.
- No. 4 of the 18 sights in our Hakone things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- A family favourite in Hakone with kids.
Near Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise
Also in Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi, so you can walk between them:
- Hakone Shrine — 1 hour, free
- Old Tōkaidō road and cedar avenue — 1–3 hours, free
- Hakone Checkpoint — 45 minutes, low cost
If you like Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise
- Hakone Ropeway — Ōwakudani, 30–40 minutes
- Hakone Tozan Railway — Hakone-Yumoto, 40 minutes
- Tenzan onsen — Hakone-Yumoto, 1.5–2 hours
Staying near Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise
Stay in Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi ($$$) to walk here: lakeside villages at the southern end of Lake Ashi. All areas to stay in Hakone.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise?
Plan 40 minutes. With Hakone Shrine nearby, it fits a half-day in Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi.
+Is Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise?
December–February, the quietest of the good months. Sit on the left side heading south from Tōgendai for the best view of Mount Fuji, and on the open upper deck for photographs of the shrine's torii.
+Do I need to book Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Hakone. Hakone is a fun day out for children because the journey itself is the attraction: a zigzagging train, a cable car, a gondola over steaming volcanic vents and a pirate ship across the lake.