This guide covers the torii and shrine at Lake Ashi, the cedar avenue, Hakone Checkpoint, the old stone road and the Amasake-chaya teahouse, with the routes and fees you need.
At Moto-Hakone you can look out over Lake Ashi to a red torii in the water, walk beneath tall cedars on the old road, and see a rebuilt checkpoint with dark timber buildings. A thatched teahouse sits on the same old road, with benches and tables set out in front.
The notes below follow that order, from the shrine and the torii to the cedar avenue, the checkpoint, the teahouse and the old road, and then explain how to get there. Times, fees and closures sit in the tables at the end, so you can compare them at a glance.
The Torii and Hakone Shrine at Lake Ashi
Snow covers the distant peak beyond a wooded shoreline, and a red gate stands at the water's edge.
Hakone Shrine is the place to start, and visitors take the bus to Moto-Hakone to reach it. The shrine has a Treasure Hall that stays open all year, though it can close for a while when the exhibits are changed.
A vermilion gate stands in shallow water beyond a stone landing, with wooded hills across the lake.
The shrine also issues goshuin, and each carries a fee. When you have seen the shrine and the Treasure Hall, the route moves on to the cedar avenue and the checkpoint.
The Cedar Avenue and Hakone Checkpoint
Rows of straight trunks line a narrow earth path through green woodland.
Seen from above, the checkpoint's timber roofs sit among pines, with a boat on blue water behind.
From the Hakone Sekisho-ato bus stop it is a short walk to Hakone Sekisho, the checkpoint itself. From Hakone-machi Port it is also a short walk to the checkpoint. Admission is accepted until shortly before closing, so time the walk along the cedar avenue with that in mind.
The checkpoint has a standard visit time, which helps when you fit it between the cedar avenue and the teahouse. If you are travelling on a Hakone Free Pass, keep it to hand, because it brings the admission price down. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the checkpoint at no charge.
Amasake-chaya and the Old Stone Road
A big thatched roof covers the teahouse, and low benches and tables stand on the gravel outside.
The old Tokaido through the Hatajuku Yamane district is closed to walkers while repair work goes on. The mile marker cannot be visited and the stone pavement cannot be walked there, so walkers are asked to take a detour along a prefectural road.
Amasake-chaya is the place to sit down for a cup of amasake, a sweet rice drink. Chikara-mochi is on the menu too if you want something to eat with it. The teahouse takes its last order a while before closing time. During events the hours can run longer.
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Getting there
To reach the checkpoint, take a bus to the Hakone Sekisho-ato stop from Odawara Station. From Hakone-Yumoto Station a bus also runs to the same stop. If you start from Hakone-Yumoto Station, the Hakone Tourist Information Center is a short walk from the station.
From Odawara Station a bus also goes on to Moto-Hakone for the shrine and the torii. The Hakone Pirate Ship links Togendai Port, Hakone-machi Port and Moto-Hakone Port. The table below gives the time for every leg, with its starting point and end point, so you can put the day together in whichever order suits you.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Odawara Station by bus to the Hakone Sekisho-ato stop | about 55 minutes |
| Hakone-Yumoto Station by bus to the Hakone Sekisho-ato stop | about 40 minutes |
| Hakone Sekisho-ato stop on foot to Hakone Sekisho | about 2 minutes |
| Hakone-machi Port on foot to Hakone Sekisho | about 5 minutes |
| Hakone Pirate Ship between Togendai Port, Hakone-machi Port and Moto-Hakone Port | about 25 to 40 minutes |
| Yumoto by bus to Moto-Hakone | about 60 minutes |
| Odawara Station by bus to Moto-Hakone | about 75 minutes |
| Hakone Tourist Information Center on foot from Hakone-Yumoto Station | about 1 minute |
If you would rather have the day arranged for you, look at guided tours around Hakone.
New to rural buses and one-man trains? See how to ride them, step by step.
Hours, fees and closures
The table below brings together the times, fees and closures for the checkpoint, the shrine and the teahouse, with the old road closure at the bottom.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hakone Sekisho hours, March 1 to November 30 | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Hakone Sekisho hours, December 1 to the end of February | 9:00 to 16:30 |
| Hakone Sekisho last admission | 30 minutes before closing |
| Hakone Sekisho standard visit time | about 45 minutes |
| Hakone Sekisho admission, adult | 500 yen |
| Hakone Sekisho admission, child | 250 yen (elementary school students) |
| Hakone Sekisho admission with a Hakone Free Pass | 400 yen for adults, 150 yen for children |
| Hakone Sekisho wheelchair rental | free of charge, up to 2 units |
| Hakone Shrine Treasure Hall admission reception hours | 9:00 to 16:00 (normal times) |
| Hakone Shrine Treasure Hall admission, adult | 500 yen |
| Hakone Shrine Treasure Hall admission, child | 300 yen |
| Hakone Shrine amulet and goshuin reception hours | 8:15 to 17:00 |
| Hakone Shrine goshuin, each | 500 yen |
| Amasake-chaya hours | 7:00 to 17:30, last order 17:00 |
| Amasake-chaya, amasake | 500 yen per cup, tax included |
| Amasake-chaya, chikara-mochi | 600 yen for one plate of 2 pieces, tax included |
| Amasake-chaya, miso-oden | 500 yen for one plate of 5 konjac balls, tax included |
| Hakone Tourist Information Center hours | 9:00 to 17:45 |
| Old Tokaido in the Hatajuku Yamane district, closed to pedestrians for repair work | August 17, 2026 to January 15, 2027 (planned) |
| Ichirizuka mile marker and stone pavement during the closure | cannot be visited or walked; detour via Prefectural Route 732 |