"Ashigara Pass" is located at the border of Sagami Province (present-day, Kanagawa Prefecture) and Suruga Province (present-day Shizuoka Prefecture) on "Ashigara-Kodo", to the north of Hakone Mountains. "Ashigara-Kodo" was the main road to cross the Hakone Mountains. The altitude of Ashigara Pass is 759 meters. Since ancient ages, the mountains of Hakone have been a difficult place for people traveling between the eastern and the western regions.

Many people traveled on the "Ashigara-Kodo" through Ashigara Pass, since ancient times. Ashigara Pass was an important military location, with Ashigara Fort built on the pass.

In December 2011, I walked along the Ashigara Old Trail towards Ashigara Pass. It was one hour and forty minute walk from Ashigara Station at the foot of the mountain to Ashigara Pass.

As you approach Ashigara Pass, you can see a retaining wall on the north side of the paved road. This is Ashigara Pass. A bridge has been built over the pass. Ashigara Pass is located at the border between Shizuoka Prefecture and Kanagawa Prefecture.

It is said that the stone besides the monument was the place where SHINRA SABURO Yoshimitsu TOYOHARA Tokiaki "Sho".

After walking up the stairs of the retaining wall at Ashigara Pass, you will arrive at the main bailey of the ruins of Ashigara Fort. The area is well-maintained and has a large lawn.

To the south, the Hakone Mountain ridge continued and you will see Mt. Kintoki.

At the west end of the main bailey of Ashigara Fort, the monument is located. You will see Mt. Fuji from the monument.

Unfortunately, when I visited Ashigara Pass in December 2011, the summit of Mt. Fuji was covered by clouds. If the weather was clear, it would be a wonderful location to see a full view of Mt. Fuji, so I regretted not being able to see it, and returned in November 2017.

In 2017, fortunately it was a clear, cloudless day, and I could see the entire snow-capped Mt. Fuji.

Ashigara Pass is approximately twenty-five kilometers away from the summit of Mt. Fuji. The altitude of Ashigara Pass is one fifth of the altitude of Mt. Fuji. It is not that high compared to the height of Mt. Fuji, but since I was looking from a certain height, I was able to see it in three dimensions and could see that the base of Mt. Fuji is cone-shaped. Mt. Ashitaka could also be seen in the distance to the left of Mt. Fuji. This view is really spectacular.

In the past, many soldiers were stationed at Ashigara Fort. I imagine that they had a hard life at Ashigara Fort, with little food and drink available. However, the view of Mt. Fuji must have been a comfort to the soldiers stationed here.

After enjoying the scenery of Mt. Fuji, I crossed the bridge over the "Ashigara-Kodo" and headed to the east side of Ashigara Pass.

The east side of Ashigara Pass is the sites of Ashigara Fort baileys. There was an imitation gate of the former Ashigara Barrier there.

I walked down to the east into Kanagawa Prefecture. Seitendo Temple is located within a five-minute walk.

After visiting Seitendo Temple, I returned along the "Ashigara-Kodo" and headed towards Ashigara Station. Ashigara Pass has a particularly beautiful view of Mt. Fuji and is a recommended place for hiking.

How to get there
From Tokyo and Osaka, take a bullet train on the Tokaido Shinkansen to Mishima. Change to a local train to Numazu and take a train on the Gotemba Line to Ashigara Station. Ashigara Pass is approximately one hour and forty minute walk from Ashigara Station. Alternatively, take a train on the Daiyuzan Line from Odawara on Tokaido Shinkansen to Daiyuzan. Change to a bus bound for Jizo-Do Bus stop. Ashigara Pass is approximately one and fifteen minutes on foot from Jizo-Do Bus stop.

Other Historical Sites near by:
"Ashigara Kodo"
Gotenba Area
Mt. Hakone, Oowakudani
Lake Ashinoko
Atami