Onshi-Hakone-Koen Park ［恩賜箱根公園］

Onshi-Hakone-Koen Park

Onshi-Hakone-Koen Park is a very big park made in 1886 (mid-Meiji era) on the site of Hakone Rikyu (vacation palace in Hakone).

It is located on Togashima, an island that juts into Lake Ashino. In the center of the park stands the western-style Observation Building which used to be a vacation palace for the imperial family where documents from those days are on display. From the balcony on the second floor, you can enjoy a breathtaking view that includes Lake Ashino and Mt. Fuji.

The hedge that circles the park is extremely well maintained with various types of trees and flowers planted, allowing visitors to have a pleasant time strolling through the area filled with seasonal features.

Mamezakura (Prunus incisa) and brightly-colored azaleas that bloom in mid-April and May respectively are very beautiful indeed. Additionally, the lush greenery with gold-banded lilies sending their elegant fragrance can be enjoyed during the summer while the crimson foliage coloring the mountains by the lake in autumn is breathtaking as well.