Hakone

Dreamy hot springs and the beaming Lake Ashinoko surrounding the formidable figure of Mount Fuji seem only to exalt its stark and simple beauty. Together, they constitute the recipe of the much-visited Hakone. Set in the far countryside to the west of Tokyo, Hakone thrives as a natural paradise away from the urban sprawl.

For your long-awaited shot of Mount Fuji, hop on a boat and sail on Lake Ashinoko. If the day is clear, you will have a chance to watch the picture-perfect snowy volcanic peak as its image falls over the serene waters. There are stops along the shore of Ashinoko that will give you insight into the cultural significance of the lake. Surrounded by enormous cedar trees, the Tokaido Checkpoint is one of them. It is a historical checkpoint that once controlled the traffic on Tokaido highway. Another monument spicing up the scene on Lake Ashinoko is the scarlet Hakone Temple. The shrine was a religious center during numerous periods in the history of Japan and today serves as a photography site with its picturesque torii sitting on the water’s edge.

The wonders of the national park were monumentalized in the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Sublime installments blend with the raw natural state of their surroundings perfectly, giving way to plenty of admiration and an exhilarating photographic experience. Several other art museums are available at Hakone, offering dazzling masterpieces from Japanese, Chinese, and Korean artists.