Old Tokaido Cedar Avenue

箱根旧街道杉並木

4.4Est. 30Hakone, Kanto

Local Pick

Overview

A preserved avenue of towering 350-year-old cedar trees along the original Edo-era highway, free and nearly empty.

This 500-meter stretch of the old Tokaido highway near Lake Ashi is lined with over 400 giant cedar trees planted in the 1680s to provide shade for feudal lords traveling between Edo and Kyoto. The massive trunks, some over 4 meters in circumference, create a cathedral-like canopy overhead. Despite its proximity to Hakone's main attractions, the avenue sees surprisingly few visitors.

Local tips

Walk the avenue early morning when mist clings to the cedar trunks. The filtered light and scale of the trees make you feel like a samurai era traveler.

Practical info

Japanese name: 箱根旧街道杉並木
Nearest station: Moto-Hakone bus stop (Hakone Tozan Bus)
Payment: Cards accepted

Good for

Families

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