Pix4Japan: Onshi-Hakone Park

Onshi-Hakone Park is located on the top of a small hill overlooking Ashinoko Lake in the mountain resort of Hakone, Japan.

Located about 97 km (60 miles) southwest of central Tokyo, Onshi-Hakone Park can be reached in about two and a half hours on an Odakyu Line commuter train, two hours and 14 minutes on the Odakyu Line Romance Car, or two hours if you take the Shinkansen bullet train. Regardless of which train you take, you will need to take an Izu-Hakone Bus at Odawara Station to the Onshi Koen Mae bus stop.

Maps and links to useful references below the photos below.

Ashinoko Lake and Mt. Fuji

Pentax KP + smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR

100 mm ISO 100 for 0.3 sec. at ƒ/22

#landscapephotography #torii #shrinegate #toriigate #peacetorii #Hakone #HakoneShrine #LakeAshi #AshinokoLake #MtFuji #MountFuji #Japan #Pentax #Pix4Japan

#風景写真 #鳥居 #平和の鳥居 #箱根神社 #芦ノ湖 #箱根 #富士山 #ペンタックス

This view of Mt. Fuji and the "Heiwa-no-Torii" (Gate of Peace) located on the shoreline of Ashinoko Lake in Hakone, Japan, is probably one of the most popular shots taken at this location due to its close proximity to the huge parking lot for tour buses in front of the lakeshore port. Although taken during the rainy season, I was lucky to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji when she still had a bit of snow on her peak.

Hakone View of Mt. Fuji

Pentax KP + smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR

100 mm ISO 100 for 0.3 sec. at ƒ/22

#landscapephotography #Hakone #LakeAshi #AshinokoLake #MtFuji #MountFuji #Japan #Pentax #Pix4Japan

#風景写真 #芦ノ湖 #箱根 #富士山 #ペンタックス

This view of Mt. Fuji was the clearest shot I could get on this cloudy, rainy morning in Hakone, Japan. I want to visit this area again in the middle of winter when I can catch a clearer shot with more snow on the peak. From the shore of Ashinoko Lake, Mt. Fuji is only 32.30 km (20.07mi) away due northeast.]

Japanese Sacred Gate

Pentax KP + smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR

40 mm ISO 100 for 1/20 sec. at ƒ/14

#landscapephotography #torii #shrinegate #toriigate #peacetorii #Hakone #HakoneShrine #LakeAshi #AshinokoLake #Hakone #Japan #Pentax #Pix4Japan

#風景写真 #鳥居 #平和の鳥居 #箱根神社 #芦ノ湖 #箱根 #ペンタックス

The "Heiwa-no-Torii" (Gate of Peace) is a torii gate located on the shoreline of Ashinoko Lake in Hakone, Japan. This is the first of several large torii gates that are located up the side of the mountain to the Hakone Shrine. This shot was taken from across the lake on a small foot path hugging the shore of the lake.

Hakone Peace Torii Gate

Pentax KP + HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

300 mm ISO 100 for 1/20 sec. at ƒ/11

#landscapephotography #torii #shrinegate #toriigate #peacetorii #Hakone #HakoneShrine #LakeAshi #AshinokoLake #Hakone #Japan #Pentax #Pix4Japan

#風景写真 #鳥居 #平和の鳥居 #箱根神社 #芦ノ湖 #箱根 #ペンタックス

A close-up view of the "Heiwa-no-Torii" (Gate of Peace) on the Ashinoko Lake shoreline in Hakone, Japan. Most visitors to Hakone Shrine will pose below the gate with the lake in the background. If you ever visit, be sure to arrive early to avoid the long line that will form as tourists take turns taking a shot below the gate!

Lakeside Walking Trail

Pentax KP + HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

70 mm ISO 100 for 0.4 sec. at ƒ/7.1

#landscapephotography #trees #moss #path #trail #hiking #woodland #OnshiHakonePark #Hakone #Japan #Pentax #Pix4Japan

#木 #森　#森林 #苔 #神奈川県立恩賜箱根公園 #箱根 #風景写真 #森の写真 #ペンタックス

From the observation deck overlooking Ashinoko Lake in Onshi-Hakone Park (Hakone, Japan), I noticed a small foot path that seemed to lead down to the lake. Wasn’t sure if I was entering a prohibited area, but I soon realized that there is a small, well maintained footpath that hugs the shoreline and offers wonderful views of the lake, Mt. Fuji, and the huge torii gate across the lake. If you follow the trail, it will take you all the way back to the parking lot.

Moss-Covered Fence

Pentax KP + HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

190 mm ISO 100 for 1/4 sec. at ƒ/6.3

#landscapephotography #trees #moss #path #trail #hiking #woodland #OnshiHakonePark #Hakone #Japan #Pentax #Pix4Japan

#木 #森　#森林 #苔 #神奈川県立恩賜箱根公園 #箱根 #風景写真 #森の写真 #ペンタックス

Parts of the footpath that hug the Ashinoko Lake shoreline in Onshi-Hakone Park (Hakone, Japan) have sturdy fences to keep visitors from falling into the lake. The abundance of moisture creates a haven for moss to grow on nearly every possible surface.

Border Collie on Ancient Highway

Pentax KP + HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

135 mm ISO 3200 for 1/80 sec. at ƒ/5.6

#bordercollie #dog #pet #landscapephotography #trees #moss #Tokaido #ancienthighway #Hakone #Japan #Pentax #Pix4Japan

#ペット #ボーダーコリー #愛犬 #犬 #木 #杉並木 #苔 #旧東海道 #箱根宿の杉並木 #箱根 #風景写真 #森の写真 #ペンタックス

After following me all over Onshi-Hakone Park (Hakone, Japan) during a warm and humid, early morning rainstorm, Dale-chan took a rest on what was once part of the Tokaido Highway--a major highway that stretched for 514 km (319 mi) connecting Kyoto with Edo (modern-day Tokyo). The quiet, giant cedar trees that were planted along the sides of the highway over 300 years ago provided us with refuge from the elements as they did for travelers dating back to the Edo Period.

Border Collie and Giant Cedars

Pentax KP + HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

120 mm ISO 3200 for 1/80 sec. at ƒ/5.6

#bordercollie #dog #pet #landscapephotography #trees #moss #Tokaido #ancienthighway #Hakone #Japan #Pentax #Pix4Japan

#ペット #ボーダーコリー #愛犬 #犬 #木 #杉並木 #苔 #旧東海道 #箱根宿の杉並木 #箱根 #風景写真 #森の写真 #ペンタックス

This avenue of giant cedars planted over 300 years ago is easily accessible as you cross the street at the Onshi-Hakone Park (Hakone, Japan) parking lot. There are historical markers along the trail, which was once part of the old Tokaido Highway linking Kyoto with Edo.

Ancient Highway Giants

Pentax KP + smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR

31 mm ISO 100 for 0.8 sec. at ƒ/16

#landscapephotography #trees #hydrangea #path #trail #hiking #woodland #Tokaido #Hakone #Japan #Pentax #Pix4Japan

#木 #森　#森林 #紫陽花 ##旧東海道 #箱根宿の杉並木 #箱根 #風景写真 #森の写真 #ペンタックス

Access to this section of the Old Tokaido Highway is right across the street from the parking lot located at the foot of the Onshi-Hakone Park (Hakone, Japan). Hydrangea typically start blooming when the rainy season starts. However, at this higher elevation, the ajisai flowers had not yet come out even though it was mid-June. Late June or early July might be the best time to visit this corridor of giant cedars planted over 300 years ago for travelers making the long journey between Kyoto and Edo.

References & Useful Links

Onshi Koen Mae Bus Stop

恩賜公園前（バス）

https://goo.gl/maps/KAdm6kQ2cupk3EHSA

If you drive, it can take between three and five hours depending on traffic if you avoid tolls. If you take an expressway, you can cut your time to about two or three hours.

Depending on traffic, you can reach the cape in about 2 hours and 40 minutes if you drive on Route 246 and Route 1, or reach the cape in about 1 hour and 40 minutes if you take the Shuto and Tomei Expressways.

P 10 Onshi-Hakone Park Parking Lot

P10 恩賜箱根公園駐車場

https://goo.gl/maps/KKtjxigC3Hxo2r7AA

The park offers numerous, well maintained foot trails that crisscross across the park offering beautiful views of Mt. Fuji, Ashinoko Lake, the Hakone mountains, the Peace Torii Gate leading to Hakone Shrine (across the lake), and flowers of many varieties that ensure floral blossoms regardless of the time of year that you visit.

Park Observation Deck

弁天の鼻展望台

https://goo.gl/maps/9JKkBBiDDddwNibt9

Museum and cafe

箱根恩賜公園湖畔展望館

https://goo.gl/maps/6Ym8Z9dkEduF4uJL8

Old Tōkaidō Road Ancient Cedar Avenue - East End

旧東海道箱根宿の杉並木

https://goo.gl/maps/cEJz2rVzdTK15Aix5

Old Tōkaidō Road Ancient Cedar Avenue - West End

旧東海道箱根宿の杉並木

https://goo.gl/maps/jG4g5tkb1z7MPNL3A

Useful References:

“History: Take a Trip back in Time. Onshi Hakone Park” is a well written article on the origins of the park. Learn how a German physician persuaded the Japanese government to establish the imperial retreat in 1886, and learn how the imperial retreat became a public park:

https://hakone-japan.com/discover/history/hakone-history/onshi-hakone-park-2/

Another article by “Japan Highlights Travel: Kanagawa Prefectural Park Onshi-Hakone Park” provides valuable access details on how to reach the park with fees and museum hours:

https://japan-highlightstravel.com/en/travel/odawara/030045/

You can also download a PDF of the park prepared by Kanagawa Prefecture, which includes a map, access details, shows all the trails, and directs you to the restrooms in the park:

https://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/documents/27832/onsi-e.pdf

Below is a list of the equipment I took with me on this photo shoot.

Camera Gear:

Pentax KP
https://amzn.to/2EbbLRZ
Standard zoom lens: smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL[IF] DC WR
https://amzn.to/2Ysz5lJ
Telephoto zoom lens: HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
https://amzn.to/3iNEsDF
Tripod: Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 (carbon fiber legs with quick locking clamps)
https://amzn.to/2Fqpghd
Ball head: Manfrotto Cloud XPRO Series Ballhead BHQ2 with 200PL locking plate
https://amzn.to/3g6WI9j

Video Gear:

Canon EOS Kiss M/M50 Double Zoom Kit
https://amzn.to/2Ef3mNg
SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary C017 (Canon EF-M Mount, APS-C Size, Mirrorless Only)
https://amzn.to/3axkn1w
PolarPro 67mm QuartzLine Circular Polarizer Filter
https://amzn.to/2FUTBVS
Zhiyun Weebill-S Gimbal
https://amzn.to/32c0FFL
RODE Road Wireless GO Wireless Microphone System WIGO
https://amzn.to/35lygz1

Filters & Filter Systems:

PolarPro QuartzLine ND 64 Filter - 67mm (ND64 6-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/2J9VSOM
PolarPro QuartzLine ND1000 Filter - 67mm (ND1000 10-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/39rwWwW
PolarPro QuartzLine ND100k Filter - 67mm (ND100K 15-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/3q7YHAm
PolarPro QuartzLine Circular Polarizer - 67mm
https://amzn.to/3fOwgCY
PolarPro Summit | Landscape Filter System Custom Kit (Core, Thread Plate, ND4-GR filter, ND8-GR filter, Circular Polarizer)
https://amzn.to/37hjkBv

Pack:

F-stop Tilopa 50L Adventure and Travel Camera Backpack (Essentials Bundle: backpack, rain cover, internal camera unit)
https://amzn.to/2XfjDIE
F-stop Tripod Bag (large)
https://amzn.to/3pXW57n

*Links to Amazon are affiliated links, which means that if you choose to purchase an item that I may get a small commission, which has no effect on your purchase price whatsoever.

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