Hakone Checkpoint
箱根関所
A historic site reconstructed to its Edo-period appearance based on old illustrations and archaeological surveys, marking the checkpoint the Edo shogunate established in 1619 at Hakone, a key point on the Tokaido road. Known for enforcing the strict "guns in, women out" policy, it played an important role in defending Edo for 253 years. Buildings including the main guardhouse, officers' rest quarters, foot-soldier station, and jail have been rebuilt in their original positions, while the adjacent Hakone Checkpoint Exhibition Hall introduces the checkpoint's history along with old documents and tools actually used there. Standing on the shore of Lake Ashi, it also offers views of the lake and Mount Fuji through the checkpoint grounds.
A key checkpoint enforcing "guns in, women out"
The Hakone Checkpoint was established in 1619 (Genna 5) by the Edo shogunate at Hakone, a key point on the Tokaido road. It played an important role in enforcing strict controls against smuggling weapons into Edo ("guns in") and against the wives of daimyo, held hostage in Edo, secretly returning to their home domains without authorization ("women out"). For 253 years, it stood as a pillar of Edo's defense, inspecting travelers passing along the highway.
A reconstruction based on archaeological surveys
The present buildings faithfully recreate the checkpoint's Edo-period appearance based on period illustrations and the results of archaeological surveys. The main guardhouse, officers' rest quarters, foot-soldier station, and jail have been rebuilt in their original positions, and mannequin displays recreate scenes of travelers being inspected as they passed through.
The exhibition hall and the view of Lake Ashi
The adjacent Hakone Checkpoint Exhibition Hall displays valuable materials related to the checkpoint, including old documents, tools, and travel permits. From the checkpoint, visitors can see Mount Fuji across Lake Ashi, conveying the very scenery that Edo-period travelers would have seen.
Seasonal Highlights
🍁 Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Visitors can enjoy the scenery formed by the lakeshore's autumn leaves together with the checkpoint buildings.
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
The air turns crisp, and on many days Mount Fuji can be seen clearly through the checkpoint grounds.
Visit Tips
- Suggested duration
- About 40-60 minutes to visit
- Crowd levels
- Crowded during sightseeing-boat arrival times and daytime during Golden Week and the autumn-leaf season
- Best time to visit
- Morning right after opening is relatively uncrowded
| Address | 1 Hakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00-17:00 (until 16:30 from December to February), admission until 30 minutes before closing |
| Admission | Adults ¥500, children (elementary/junior high) ¥250 |
| Official Website | Visit official website |
Access
- 42 min walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station (About 40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus or Izu Hakone Bus bound for "Hakone-machi Port" or "Hakone Sekisho-ato," get off at the "Hakone Sekisho-ato" bus stop, then a 2-minute walk)