A 30-min pirate-ship crossing of the volcanic lake with views of Mount Fuji on clear days; ticket ~1.200 ¥.
Lake Ashi (Ashinoko), formed by volcanic eruptions 3.000 years ago in the caldera of Mount Hakone, is the geographical centre and the most photogenic spot in the whole region. A cruise on the famous pirate ships (kaizoku-sen) of the Hakone Kankosen company —replicas of historic galleons with three masts and square sails— crosses the lake from Togendai to the port of Moto-Hakone or Hakone-machi in 30-40 minutes. On clear days (best in winter and spring, with low humidity) the view of Mount Fuji reflected in the lake is one of the most beautiful in Japan. The ticket costs around 1.200 ¥ per leg (included in the Hakone Free Pass). At the port of Moto-Hakone you will find the Hakone shrine with its torii in the water. The ships depart every 30-40 minutes between 9:30 and 17:00. There are three ships with different designs; the most photogenic is the one named "Royal II".
