Hakone Yusen Sorakaze: A Floating Green Park over Lake Ashi
A Unique Experience While Exploring Lake Ashi's Natural Beauty
Hakone, a favored retreat near Tokyo, is renowned for its scenic beauty and therapeutic hot springs.
At its heart, Lake Ashi stands as a must-visit attraction, offering majestic views of Mount Fuji and a tranquil escape from urban life. It’s a place where culture, history, and nature intertwine, presenting foreign visitors with a serene and enriching experience.
Elevating this experience is the introduction of the “Hakone Yusen Sorakaze”, a novel ship that transforms the journey across Lake Ashi into an extraordinary adventure. This innovative vessel, described as a floating green park, provides a unique opportunity to explore the lake’s splendor in comfort and style, making it an unmissable experience for anyone traveling to Hakone.
In this article, I will introduce to you about the Hakone Yusen Sorakaze as well as share my experience riding this fascinating new ship.
What is Hakone Yusen Sorakaze?
The Hakone Yusen Sorakaze is a novel addition to Lake Ashi in Hakone, launched by Hakone Yusen Co., Ltd in February 2024. Born out of a vision to create a “floating green park” on Lake Ashi, the Sorakaze is designed to merge the experience of sailing with the elements of air and wind amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of Mount Fuji, the surrounding mountains, and the lake itself.
Named to embody the joy of exploring Hakone by Ship, the Sorakaze allows passengers to appreciate Lake Ashi’s ever-changing seasonal landscapes in a unique and immersive way.
The exterior design, created by Yasuyuki Kawanishi, harmonizes with the natural surroundings by featuring an outdoor deck carpeted with natural grass and the stern covered with natural ivy, offering passengers the sensation of sailing through a green park.
The ship also incorporates traditional Japanese motifs, such as cranes and knot patterns, which blend seamlessly with the views of Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi, and the serene torii gate of Hakone Shrine visible from aboard.
The Sorakaze’s creation was guided by three principles: pursuing the joy of fun and play, seeking unique and moving experiences, and respecting the natural beauty of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi.
About Lake Ashi
Lake Ashi (芦ノ湖) stands out as an essential destination for any visitor to the Hakone area. Known for its expansive views that beautifully showcase Hakone’s natural landscapes, Lake Ashi also bears historical significance, featuring landmarks like the ancient Hakone Checkpoint.
This area, contrasting with Hakone’s typically elegant and stylish ambiance, offers a mystical and historical charm, marking it as a powerful spiritual site. Situated close to Hakone, the lake is surrounded by rich nature and historical sites, including the famous Hakone Shrine, making it a captivating point of interest with its blend of history and natural beauty.
It is also one of the best places where you can have an amazing view of Mt Fuji.
My Experience on the Hakone Yusen Sorakaze
As I previously mentioned, I had the opportunity to take the round trip on the Hakone Yusen Sorakaze.
1. Arriving at the port
The port where we boarded was the Hakonesekisho Ato (箱根関所跡港) on the south side of Lake Ashi. This port is conveniently connected to a large gift shop called the Hakone Sekisho Tabimonogatarikan (箱根関所 旅物語館).
Here, you can find pretty much any kind of souvenir from Hakone and Lake Ashi, making this port the perfect place to start and finish your ship journey. It is also convenient because you can look at the souvenirs while waiting for the ship to arrive.
The place also includes a Soba restaurant.
2. Riding on the Sorakaze
Once the Ship has arrived, we are guided to board. You can immediately tell this ship apart from the rest. It is stylish and you can see glimpses of yellow that accentuate the predominantly white exterior.
The interior
The Ship underwent a significant interior renovation in 2023, transforming its space to enhance the passenger experience on Lake Ashi.
From spacious cabins, guests can enjoy changing lakeside views through the large windows. The ship offers free seating, allowing passengers to choose their spots and enjoy varying experiences.
A kid-friendly area where shoes can be taken off is available, and from certain seats at the front on the first floor, passengers can observe the captain navigating the ship.
Additionally, a shop on the first floor features original food and drink menus, as well as a selection of souvenirs.