Hakone (箱根) is a town in Japan, in Kanagawa Prefecture, in Ashigarashimo District, located on the eastern foot of Hakone Pass. The Ashigara Checkpoint at Hakone-juku on the historical Tōkaidō marks the beginning of Japan's Kantō region. Since the Edo period, Ashigara Checkpoint has been renamed Hakone Checkpoint. The annual Hakone Ekiden at the New Year runs from Tokyo to Hakone and back over two days, partly in commemoration of the Tōkaidō road. Like its close neighbors Odawara and Mishima, Hakone has many onsen (hot spring) resort areas. Hakone hosts substantial tourist activity, and many, both Japanese and international visitors come to Hakone to relax, for treatment at the health resorts, or to visit the parks and mountains. Lake Ashi from Hakone Ropeway, a major tourist attraction in Hakone. The volcanically active Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, centered around Lake Ashi, is a popular tourist attraction well known for its onsen hot springs and its views of Mt. Fuji. Sights include the volcanically active Great Boiling Valley and Hakone Shrine nestled on the shore of the lake, as well as the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands. In April the cherry blossoms (sakura) and in autumn the Miscanthus sinensis (susuki) are reportedly a very beautiful view in the parks - wikipedia.