We were lucky to have a clear day to view Mt. Fuji from Moto-Hakone.
The Hakone Shrine is Shinto and dates from 1667 in its current form.
Lake Ashi also is known as Lake Ashinoko or Lake Hakone. The name Ashi is a shortened version of Ashinoko meaning "lake of reeds" - from the word "ashi" meaning "reed" and "ko" meaning "lake." Lake Ashi was formed about 3000 years ago within the collapse of land (a caldera) caused by the last eruption of the Mt. Hakone volcano.
The beautiful snow capped, cone shaped Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 12,390 feet. It is an active volcano having first erupted about 8000-10,000 years ago with it last eruption occurring in 1708. Mt. Fuji is a well known symbol of Japan and a common subject of Japanese art and photography. It is the holiest mountain in Japan and sacred to and worshiped by Shintoists and Buddhists. Its name is derived from the Buddhist fire goddess Fuchi. The shrine for the Shinto goddess Sengen-Sama is located at the top of Mt. Fuji. Until about 100 years ago Mt. Fuji was considered so sacred that only priests and religious pilgrims were allowed to climb it. Now anyone can climb it but just during July and August when there is no snow on it. The upper part of Mt. Fuji is made of loose volcanic ash without any vegetation or bodies of water. On a clear day Mt. Fuji can be seen from Tokyo. (See a few earlier photos showing Mt. Fuji from Tokyo.)
The Hakone area (including Moto-Hakone), famous for its natural beauty and hot springs, and Lake Ashi are visited by many international travelers and Japanese looking to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities, such as Tokyo.
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