Mount Komagatake Summit and Mototsumiya
Ascend Mount Komagatake for breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Ashi and, on clear days, the majestic Mt. Fuji.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best chance for Mt. Fuji views
Mount Komagatake Summit and Mototsumiya
Best Time
Best chance for Mt. Fuji views
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Ascend Mount Komagatake for breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Ashi and, on clear days, the majestic Mt. Fuji.
"Superb views of the lake and landscape from here. Great place for photography."
🧥 Dress in Layers
It's windy and cold at the summit! Pack a jacket, hat, and sunscreen.
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes
You'll be doing some walking and a bit of a climb to the shrine.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Mount Komagatake Summit Views
Summit of Mount Komagatake
Breathtaking panoramic vistas of Lake Ashi and, on clear days, the majestic Mt. Fuji.
Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine
Summit of Mount Komagatake
A serene mountaintop shrine dedicated to the deities of Hakone, offering a spiritual ambiance.
Lake Ashi Vista
Mount Komagatake Summit
Unobstructed views of the beautiful Lake Ashi, often dotted with pirate ships.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Ascend for Awe-Inspiring Views
Timing is Key for Fuji Views
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🧥 Dress in Layers
It's windy and cold at the summit! Pack a jacket, hat, and sunscreen.
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes
You'll be doing some walking and a bit of a climb to the shrine.
📸 Photography Paradise
The views are incredible, especially with Mt. Fuji. Great for photos!
☁️ Check the Weather
Fog can obscure views, so a clear day is crucial for seeing Mt. Fuji.
Need help moving around on a day trip to Hakone
Tips
from all over the internet
🧥 Dress in Layers
It's windy and cold at the summit! Pack a jacket, hat, and sunscreen.
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes
You'll be doing some walking and a bit of a climb to the shrine.
📸 Photography Paradise
The views are incredible, especially with Mt. Fuji. Great for photos!
☁️ Check the Weather
Fog can obscure views, so a clear day is crucial for seeing Mt. Fuji.
⏰ Cable Car Schedule
The cable car runs every 20 minutes, so factor this into your timing.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the spectacular panoramic views from Mount Komagatake Summit, especially the potential to see Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi. The journey via cable car is also highlighted as a scenic and enjoyable part of the experience. Some note that the shrine itself is modest, but the overall vista makes the trip worthwhile.
"This shrine on the summit of Mt. Koma honors the deities of nearby Mt. Kami or Kamiyama, the name of which translates to “mountain of the gods.” Local people and pilgrims alike worshiped the peaks of Hakone. You have to take the cable car to the top station and this shrine is a hill climb under a unsealed track. It can be windy and cold up here. Wear proper clothes, comfy shoes, hat, sunscreen, take water. Superb views of the lake and landscape from here. Great place for photography. Free entry here but the cable car needs tickets. Lots of locals, some tourists and pilgrims."
s vivekananda
"The shrine itself was nothing spectacular. What was spectacular were the views around the area of Ashi-no-ko, and Fujisan if the weather permits.
Do note the cable car runs in 20 min intervals."
BK
"This place is a must see, not just if you're in Hakone but if you're visiting Japan. Honestly a beautiful place to visit and so happy I stumbled across this place."
Tony Sambell
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The primary way to reach the summit is by taking the Hakone Ropeway from Togendai Station. You'll then transfer to the Hakone Cable Car which ascends Mount Komagatake.
Yes, the Hakone Cable Car is the public transport that takes you directly to the vicinity of Hakone Mototsumiya at the summit.
Private vehicles cannot reach the summit. You must use the Hakone Ropeway and Cable Car system.
A popular day trip involves heading to Hakone-Yumoto, then utilizing the Hakone Free Pass for the ropeway, cable car, and boat.
No, buses do not go to the summit. The Hakone Ropeway and Cable Car are the designated modes of transport.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the summit area and the shrine itself is free. However, you will need to purchase tickets for the Hakone Ropeway and Hakone Cable Car.
Ticket prices vary, but a Hakone Free Pass often offers good value if you plan to use multiple forms of transport in the area. Check the official Hakone Navi website for current pricing.
No, the Hakone Mototsumiya shrine is free to enter and explore.
It's generally recommended to purchase tickets at the station. The Hakone Free Pass can sometimes be purchased in advance.
Operating hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official Hakone Navi website for the most up-to-date schedule.
📸 📸 Photography
The entire summit offers incredible photo opportunities. Focus on the panoramic views of Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji, as well as the shrine itself.
On a clear day, the views of Mt. Fuji are spectacular and make for iconic photographs. However, weather is a major factor.
Early mornings often offer clearer skies and softer light. Late afternoons can provide beautiful golden hour illumination.
Photography is generally permitted outside the shrine buildings, but always be respectful of worshippers and any posted signage.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive landscapes. A telephoto lens can be useful for zooming in on Mt. Fuji.
🎫 🚶 Onsite Experience
Enjoy the stunning views, visit the Hakone Mototsumiya shrine, and take a short hike around the summit area.
There's a moderate amount of walking, including a short uphill climb to the shrine. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Visitors can typically access the shrine grounds, but entry into the inner sanctuary may be restricted.
Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and wear layers. A camera is a must for the views!
Crowds can vary, but it tends to be busier during peak tourist seasons and holidays, especially in autumn.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Dress everyone in layers as it can get chilly, and ensure children have comfortable shoes for the short hike. The main attraction for families will be the stunning views and the novelty of the cable car ride. While the shrine itself might not hold their attention for long, the overall experience of reaching a mountaintop and seeing such expansive scenery is usually a hit.
🚶 Solo Travelers & Adventurers
Don't be afraid to strike up conversations with other travelers or locals at the summit; many are happy to share their experiences or offer photography tips. The short hike to the shrine is a great way to stretch your legs and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Consider bringing a wide-angle lens to capture the expansive landscapes and a telephoto lens for detailed shots of Mt. Fuji. The Hakone Mototsumiya shrine provides a fantastic foreground element, adding depth and cultural context to your images.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Journey Up: Hakone Ropeway & Cable Car
It's important to note that the cable car operates on a schedule, typically running every 20 minutes. Planning your time around these intervals is crucial, especially if you have other activities planned in Hakone. While the ride itself is relatively short, the anticipation builds as you ascend, with glimpses of Lake Ashi and potentially Mt. Fuji appearing through the clouds.
Many visitors find the cable car journey to be a highlight, offering a sense of adventure and a dramatic reveal of the breathtaking scenery awaiting them at the summit. The efficiency and accessibility of this transport system make Mount Komagatake a feasible and rewarding destination for most travelers.
Hakone Mototsumiya: A Shrine in the Sky
The shrine itself, while perhaps not as architecturally grand as some of Japan's more famous temples, holds a deep cultural and spiritual significance for locals and pilgrims. The journey to reach it involves a short, uphill walk from the cable car station, which can be a bit of a climb but is well worth the effort for the views and the sense of accomplishment.
While you can't typically go inside the main sanctuary, the exterior and the surrounding grounds provide ample opportunity to appreciate the shrine's presence and its harmonious integration with the natural environment. It's a place where the spiritual and the scenic converge, offering a peaceful respite and a memorable cultural experience.
Capturing the Iconic Views: Photography Tips
Beyond Mt. Fuji, the panoramic vistas of Lake Ashi, with its distinctive pirate ships and surrounding mountains, are equally captivating. Consider using a wide-angle lens to encompass the vastness of the landscape. The Hakone Mototsumiya shrine itself also provides a beautiful foreground element for your shots, adding a cultural dimension to the natural scenery.
For the best photographic results, aim for early morning for clearer skies and softer light, or late afternoon to catch the warm glow of the golden hour. Be prepared for windy conditions at the summit, which can affect stability, so a tripod might be beneficial if you're aiming for long exposures or sharp shots in challenging light.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit