Located in Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, Hakone Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine founded in the year 757, with a history spanning over a thousand years. It was originally established by the ascetic monk Mangan on the shores of Lake Ashi, serving as a key site for mountain worship and becoming a place for pilgrimage and spiritual training.
During the Kamakura period, the famous military commander Minamoto no Yoritomo was a devout believer in Hakone Shrine and established the tradition of “Nisho Mōde” (Two-Shrine Pilgrimage). Since then, Hakone Shrine has been a spiritual center for generations of samurai families, including the Hōjō clan and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who visited the shrine to pray for victory and protection. In modern times, with improved transportation, the shrine has become an important destination for popular religious worship, attracting numerous visitors seeking good fortune, protection from misfortune, the fulfillment of wishes, and traffic safety.
One of the shrine’s most iconic features is the Heiwa Torii (Peace Torii Gate), which stands in Lake Ashi. Reflected together with Mt. Fuji in the lake’s surface, it has become a popular spot for photography enthusiasts. Walking along the approach from the lakeshore, visitors are greeted by centuries-old cedar trees, some over 600 years old, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere. Behind the shrine lies a pure forest of Himeshara trees, designated a natural monument by Kanagawa Prefecture, adding a sense of natural spirituality to the surroundings.
The main deity enshrined at Hakone Shrine is the Nine-Headed Dragon God (Kuzuryū Ōkami), believed to govern fortune in areas such as wealth, investment, matchmaking, and good luck. The “Monthly Festival” held on the 13th of each month draws worshippers from all over Japan, who come to pray for divine blessings.
Seasonal Events and Summer Festivals
One of the shrine’s major annual events is the “Lake Festival” held every year on July 31st. Dedicated to the Nine-Headed Dragon God, this ritual involves priests boarding a symbolic “pirate ship” on Lake Ashi, where they perform ceremonies and scatter red rice into the lake to offer prayers. Under the glow of summer fireworks and lanterns, the lake surface shimmers with a sacred and romantic ambiance.
Additionally, during the “Lake Ashi Summer Festival Week,” the shrine hosts a variety of festive events, including Shinto rituals, traditional performances, and fireworks displays. Throughout the summer, the lakeside nights come alive with continuous fireworks shows, drawing large crowds to enjoy the vibrant summer atmosphere.
