What other travelers are saying about Hakone Shrine
We especially enjoyed walking among the massive cypress trees along the passage into the shrine, but the large line up/crowd of tourists at the iconic tori gate on the water was a real disappointment - even on a weekday morning!
Went here around the sun was going to set, and it was in the winter, so it was cold and not many people. There was one shrine maiden there who was selling the charms. It was worth a visit because it was less than a 5 minutes drive from the Hakone lake Fuji viewing spot. There is a big free parking lot at the front too with very clean restrooms. The Torii at the lake was closed though, not sure if it was because it was too slippery in the winter or something??
This is a beautiful shrine that, unfortunately, has been overrun by tourists, mostly the shrine on the water. The temple up the steps is gorgeous and the walk down the road is so scenic. I highly recommend visiting during off peak hours.
Probably the easiest way to get a photo with the shrine is from the water! Pirate ship ahoy mate! Don’t forget to strategically place yourself on the starboard side 😉
The lines were typically quite long and it deterred us from waiting. However, a little forethought led us to try something different. Enjoy the ride
If you’re visiting Japan, it’s a must to visit the shrine and/or temple to give your regards. I was fortunate to have a sunny day with no clouds covering to see the mountain Fuji. The Hakone shrine at can be packed especially with foreigners wanting to take a photo at the Torii (鳥居) however, forget the instagrammy photo and make a visitation to the shrine, eat at the restaurants, ride the duck boat on the lake, and have fun whilst of your stay!
