Hakone
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Hakone (箱根町 Hakone-machi?) is a town in Ashigarashimo District in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 2010, the town had an estimated population of 13,339 and a density of 144 persons per km². The total area was 92.82 km².
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Geography
Hakone is located in the mountainous far west of the prefecture, on the eastern side of Hakone Pass. Most of the town is within the borders of the volcanically active Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, centered around Lake Ashi.
Surrounding municipalities
Kanagawa Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
History
Hakone is the location of a noted Shinto shrine, the Hakone Gongen, which is mentioned in Heian period literature. During the Gempei War, Minamoto no Yoritomo prayed at this shrine for victory over his enemies, after his defeat at the Battle of Ishibashiyama, which was also located with the borders of present-day Hakone. As with the rest of Sagami Province, the area came under the control of the late Hōjō clan of Odawara during the Sengoku period. After the start of the Edo period, Hakone-juku was a post station on the Tōkaidō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto. It was also the site of a major barrier and official checkpoint on the route known as the Hakone Checkpoint (箱根関所 Hakone sekisho?), which formed the border of the Kantō region. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, all travellers entering and leaving Edo along the Tōkaidō were stopped here by officials, and their travel permits and baggage was examined.
After the start of the Meiji Restoration, Hakone became a part of the short-lived Ashigara Prefecture before becoming part of Ashigarashimo District in Kanagawa prefecture in August 1876. Hakone attained town status in 1889. After merger with five neighboring towns and villages in September 1956, it reached is present boundaries.
Economy
The economy of Hakone is strongly dominated by the tourist industry. Hakone is noted for its onsen hot spring resorts, which attract both Japanese and international visitors due to its proximity to the greater Tokyo metropolis and to Mount Fuji. Sights include the volcanically active Owakudani geysers and Hakone Shrine on the shore of the lake, as well as the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands. In April the cherry blossoms (sakura) and in autumn the Miscanthus sinensis (susuki) are noted sights.
Hakone has a number of art museums, including the Hakone Open-Air Museum.
Major events include the annual Hakone Ekiden,a long distance foot race, held at the New Year, which runs from Tokyo to Hakone and back over two days, partly in commemoration of the Tōkaidō road.
One famous hotel in Hakone is the historic Fujiya Hotel in Miyanoshita, which was patronized by noted literii, politicians and foreign dignitaries in the Meiji and Taishō and early Shōwa periods.
A noted local handicraft is parquetry.
Transportation
Railway
Hakone is best accessed from Odawara and Mishima, the terminus of the Odakyu Odawara Line, 70 minutes from Shinjuku, Tokyo. From Odawara, the Hakone Tozan Line continues into various resort towns in Hakone. Odakyu also runs the Romancecar limited express between Shinjuku and Hakone-Yumoto. From Gora, the terminus of Hakone Tozan Line, the Hakone Tozan Cable Car funicular goes to Sounzan. Owakudani can be reached by Hakone Ropeway from Sounzan and the lake, while the lake is crisscrossed by cartoonishly decorated "pirate" ships for tourists. There is also Hakone Komagatake Ropeway, which goes to the top of Mount Komagatake.
A popular "Hakone Free Pass", allowing unlimited use of most forms of transport for several days, is available. You can buy this free pass in Shinjuku, Odawara, and any other chief stations along Odakyu Odawara Line.
Highways
Sister city relations
- Tōyako, Hokkaidō, since July 4, 1964
- Jasper, Alberta, Canada from July 4, 1972
- Taupo, New Zealand, from October 7, 1987
Gallery
 Hakone, hand-colored print 1860–1900 |
 Torii of the shrine in Hakone, at Lake Ashi |
 Yumoto Onsen, Meiji era |
 The summer festival in Hakone includes a bonfire in the shape of the kanji 大 (dai) and fireworks |
 Lake Ashi |
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hakone, Kanagawa |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hakone Open-air Museum |
- Hakone travel guide from Wikitravel
- Hakone Area Highlights from Kanagawa Prefectural Tourist Association
- Hakone Free Pass from Odakyu Electric Railway
- Hakone Open-Air Museum
- Hakone Theme Park
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