This post is still a work in progress
This post is a continuation of the previous post, Unfamiliar Hakone Trip (Part One). Last time, I briefly introduced a trip to explore the main parts of Hakone by using the Hakone Tozan Railway, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, and Hakone Ropeway, without using a car or bus. In this Part Two, I would like to continue from there. As we move on to the latter half of this post, I would like to introduce some less familiar aspects of Hakone, as well as some of the sights along the old Tokaido road from the Edo period, where cobblestones are laid in places.
If you take a sightseeing boat from Togendai Station (the terminal station of the Hakone Ropeway) on the northern shore of Lake Ashi and cross the lake from north to south (or vice versa), there are more sights to see on the eastern shore than on the western shore. Therefore, I recommend paying close attention to the eastern side of the lake while on board. Shortly after the boat departs, you will see a red torii gate on the eastern shore. This is the torii gate of Kuzuryu Shrine Hongu (also known as Nine-Headed Dragon Shrine), located in the Kuzuryu Forest on the eastern shore. This shrine (which will be described in detail below) has become very popular in recent years, especially among women, as a deity that grants wishes for success in love.
