While many if not most people would not recgonise an image of the main complex, the Hakone Shrine is well-known for the iconic sight of its large red ‘torii’ gate sitting in the waters of Ashinoko (Ashi Lake). With Mount Fuji rising in the background, the distinctive red gate of Hakone Shrine ranks with the more photographed locations in Japan, and is easy to spot upon arrival to the lake.

The gate marks the point from where a staircase leads into the dense forest and the main shrine – one of two, along with the Hakone Motostumiya Shrine – in the vicinity. Though the main shrine will be locked at night, the surrounding grounds can be accessed at any time of day.