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13. Lake Ashinoko
With its bright red torii gate, and its backdrop of the iconic Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashinoko is worth visiting if only for its postcard perfect appearance. Beyond this, however, the lake has many lovely onsen (hot spring) towns along its shores, as well as a range of boat tours via which its waters can be explored. Not far from Ashinoko’s main bus station, you’ll find Hakone Shrine – look out for martial arts practice taking place in the small dojo attached to it. Beyond this lies Hakone National Park, in which there are plentiful hiking trails, waterfalls and hot springs – plus, of course, those epic Fuji views.
14. Nijō Castle
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994, Nijō Castle was built in 1603 and extended over the years that followed, including with its five storey keep. Made up of three separate areas – two circles of defense and gorgeous traditional gardens surrounded by stone walls and moats – the castle’s most popular attraction, the Ninomaru Palace, is located within the secondary defense circle. It survives in its original form, complete with ‘nightingale corridors’ – so called because they squeak to warn of intruders – linking its separate buildings, plus beautifully decorated ceilings. The sheer variety of blossom trees planted in the palace gardens means that the season tends to last longer here than in other popular hanami sites; it’s gorgeously colorful in autumn, too, with maples and gingkos all turning with the season.
