Mount Fuji And Lake Ashi From Hakone
About the Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi Camera
This camera looks across Lake Ashi in Hakone, Kanagawa, with Mount Fuji on the horizon beyond the northwest shore. The lake sits at roughly 720 metres inside the Hakone caldera.
Lake Ashi is a volcanic feature, not a natural valley lake. It formed around three thousand years ago when a collapse on the Hakone volcano dammed the drainage here. The same volcanic system is still active a few kilometres away at Owakudani, where steam vents continuously.
The view depends entirely on the air. When it is clear, Fuji sits directly behind the lake with the red torii of Hakone Shrine standing in the water in the foreground — one of the most recognisable compositions in Japan. When it is not, the mountain disappears completely. Autumn and winter mornings give the best odds; summer haze frequently hides it for days.
Highlights & Nearby
- •Watch for: Mount Fuji beyond the lake, the Hakone Shrine torii in the water, sightseeing boats crossing
- •Nearby: Hakone Shrine, Owakudani, Moto-Hakone, Hakone-machi
- •Note: Fuji is most visible on clear autumn and winter mornings; summer haze often hides it
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lake Ashi camera live?
Yes. Lake Ashi in Hakone, Kanagawa streams live 24 hours a day.
Will Mount Fuji always be visible?
No. It depends on the air. Clear autumn and winter mornings give the best chance, while summer haze can hide the mountain for days at a time.
How was Lake Ashi formed?
By volcanic activity. A collapse on the Hakone volcano around three thousand years ago dammed the drainage and created the lake.
What is the red gate standing in the water?
The torii of Hakone Shrine, set in the lake near Moto-Hakone. With Fuji behind it, it forms one of the most recognisable views in Japan.