Old Tokaido Cedar Avenue
箱根旧街道杉並木
An avenue of cedar trees stretching about 500 meters from Moto-Hakone to Kanagawa Prefectural Onshi-Hakone Park, retaining the atmosphere of the Edo period. Said to have been planted in 1618 (Genna 4) by order of the shogunate by Matsudaira Masatsuna, lord of Kawagoe Castle, it includes over 400 towering cedars nearly 400 years old. The avenue once sheltered travelers on the Tokaido road from summer sun and winter winds, and today is maintained as a promenade along the shore of Lake Ashi, still conveying the solemn atmosphere sung of in Takino Rentaro's song "Hakone Hachiri" as "a cedar avenue, dark even at midday."
400 years of cedars planted by Matsudaira Masatsuna
It is said to have begun in 1618, when Matsudaira Masatsuna, lord of Kawagoe Castle, planted trees along the Tokaido's Hakone route by order of the shogunate. Some towering trees remain with trunk circumferences reaching 4 meters, with ages of up to nearly 400 years. The trees functioned as shade and windbreak, protecting travelers from the strong summer sun and cold winter winds.
A leisurely walk along the old highway by Lake Ashi
The roughly 500-meter stretch from Moto-Hakone to Onshi-Hakone Park has little elevation change, making it a section that can be leisurely walked while enjoying lakeshore scenery. In contrast to the old highway's stone-paved path toward Hatajuku, with its many steep slopes, this section is easy to walk and popular with tourists.
A famous spot celebrated in "Hakone Hachiri"
This is one of Hakone's representative landscapes, appearing in the lyrics of Takino Rentaro's song "Hakone Hachiri" as "a cedar avenue, dark even at midday." The path, enclosed by trees, remains dim even during the day, evoking a sense of travel reminiscent of the Edo period.
Seasonal Highlights
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
The dazzling fresh greenery offers a beautiful contrast between the cedar avenue and Lake Ashi.
🌿 Summer (Jun-Aug)
The shade of the trees is cool, making it well suited to a stroll that doubles as a retreat from the heat.
🍁 Autumn (Sep-Nov)
A beautiful season with the contrast between the surrounding autumn leaves and the evergreen cedars.
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
The air turns crisp, highlighting the stillness of the tree-lined path.
Visit Tips
- Suggested duration
- About 15-20 minutes just for the walk
- Crowd levels
- The surrounding roads and parking lots tend to get congested on weekends during peak travel seasons
- Best time to visit
- Early morning or a weekday stroll offers a quieter experience
| Address | 561 Hakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open access for viewing |
| Admission | Free |
| Official Website | Visit official website |
Access
- 45 min walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station (About 40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus bound for "Hakone-machi," get off at "Hakone Shisho-mae," then a 5-minute walk)