Photo spot in Hakone

The old Tokaido cedar avenue

A stretch of the old Edo highway between giant cedars four centuries old — shade, stillness and green light a few minutes from the lake.

About The old Tokaido cedar avenue

Get directions

Between Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi, a section of the old Tokaido — the highway that linked Edo and Kyoto — runs under an avenue of cedars planted in the seventeenth century. The trunks are huge, the path between them is soft and shaded, and the light comes down in green shafts.

It is a calm counterpoint to the shrine and the boats: long lines of trees for depth, a couple walking between them, and little traffic noise once you are inside. A short walk on, the reconstructed Hakone Checkpoint and the lakeside add variety.

The avenue is shaded all day, so it works at hours when the open lakeshore is harsh, and in light rain it turns dark and atmospheric.

Best time to shoot

Any time of day; soft and green in light rain

Tips

Save it for the middle of the day, when the light on the lakeshore is hard. The path is uneven — wear shoes you can walk in.

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Ryoji M

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I speak English+ Japanese, Chinese

Usually responds within a few hours

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Frame your memories with me! Let’s catch Japan light together!

I speak English

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Lassi P.

I was planning on proposing to my girlfriend and I wanted to propose to her while traveling. I wanted to get the proposal photographed. Arranging a surprise proposal photoshoot in a foreign country sounded almost too complex to come true.…

Ryoji M.

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Rolando R.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I can’t recommend Soh enough! He captured one of the most important moments of our lives—my surprise engagement at Tokyo Tower—and absolutely exceeded every expectation. From the moment we met, Soh made the entire experience feel…

Soh

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伊藤尚也

We had such a great photography experience with OKINI PHOTO TOUR! If you’re looking for an Osaka photographer, especially for a couple photoshoot in Osaka, I would definitely recommend them. The photographer made us feel comfortable from…

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Other spots in Hakone

The Peace Torii at Hakone Shrine

A vermilion gate standing in the water of Lake Ashi below Hakone Shrine — the Hakone picture, with a queue to match.

Onshi-Hakone Park

A wooded headland on Lake Ashi with lawns and lookouts over the water — on clear days, Fuji across the lake.

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Our concierge team will hand-pick 2-3 photographers who know The old Tokaido cedar avenue — free of charge.

The old Tokaido cedar avenue

About The old Tokaido cedar avenue

Best time to shoot

Tips

Recent work in Hakone

Photographers who shoot at The old Tokaido cedar avenue

Ryoji M

Shiina A

Hadi H

Real reviews from Hakone photoshoots

Other spots in Hakone

The Peace Torii at Hakone Shrine

Onshi-Hakone Park

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