Hakone Shrine's Lakeside Torii

Hakone Shrine, with its history stretching back over 1200 years, has been a place of worship and pilgrimage nestled in the lush mountains of Hakone. The shrine's first Torii gate, located on the shores of Lake Ashi, welcomes visitors to a serene and spiritual experience. The shrine was founded in 757 during the Nara Period, a time when mountain worship was common in Japan. People believed that the souls of the dead would go to the high peaks of Hakone when traveling to the next world.Over the centuries, Hakone Shrine has drawn shoguns, samurai, and countless travelers seeking blessings for safe travel and prosperity. Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first Kamakura shogun, sought refuge at the shrine in 1180. The shrine was burned down in 1590 during the Battle of Odawara and rebuilt in 1667. Today, Hakone Shrine is known for bestowing good luck, ensuring road safety, warding off evil, and fulfilling wishes. Many visitors seek romantic blessings at the shrine.The first Torii gate at Motohakone welcomes visitors arriving by boat. The red gate stands in Lake Ashi, creating a stunning image with the lake and Mount Fuji in the background. The path leading from the gate has 89 steps that pass stone lanterns and cedar trees.