Hakone Shrine

Famous for its huge torii on lake Ashi, the Hakone shrine is a very small temple hidden in a dense forest standing at the foot of Mount Hakone. What make this shrine stand out from many others, despite being small, is its disproportionately large front and gorgeous path leading to it surrounded by tall trees and lanterns. Also if you have the chance to visit the place early in the morning during the rainy season, the forest mist will turn this shrine into a true mystical venue.

Finally, like the Futarasan Chugushi Shrine near Nikko, you can find atop Mount Hakone, the Mototsumiya (meaning the ‘original shrine’) an extension of the shrine located at the foot of Mt. Hakone.