[Kanto scenic tour] Bike trip to Lake Ashinoko Skyline, where even beginners can go on a motorcycle! A scenic solo trip through the mountains of Hakone
Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Hakone Ashinoko Skyline in Shizuoka Prefecture. I would like to introduce you to what kind of place Lake Ashi Skyline is, how to get there, and what kind of scenery you can see. Ashinoko Skyline is a scenic drive course that runs through the mountains of Hakone. For motorcyclists, this is a fun road with many curves. So let’s get started with the article.
Ashinoko Skyline is an approximately 20km toll road that runs from Kumona, Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture to Motohakone, Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture. The altitude reaches a maximum of 1,000m, and you can see spectacular views of the Hakone mountains, Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and more. The roads are well-maintained, with many curves and ups and downs, making it a rewarding ride. There are also observation decks, restaurants, and shops along the way.
Route to Ashi Lake Skyline
This time, we will introduce the route from central Tokyo to Lake Ashi Skyline. I rode on my favorite Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. This bike is a versatile bike that can be used as both a cruiser and a sports bike. The starting point is Chuo Ward. I went around in the following order.
Departure from Nihonbashi area, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Metropolitan Expressway Inner Loop Line/C1
Shuto Expressway No. 3 Shibuya Line/Route 3
Tomei Expressway
Odawara Atsugi Road
Seisho Bypass/National Route 1
Tokaido/National Route 1
Lake Ashinoko skyline
We used expressways throughout, but you need to be careful of traffic jams and construction. Also, there are many paid sections, so it’s a good idea to check the fares. I use an ETC card.
When you enter the Ashinoko Skyline, Mt. Fuji immediately catches your eye. On a clear day, the snow-capped Mt. Fuji stands out beautifully against the blue sky. It feels great to run while looking at Mt. Fuji. At Ashinoko Skyline, you can enjoy various views other than Mt. Fuji. for example,
Lake Ashi: This lake can be said to be a symbol of Hakone. There are hot springs, hotels, and tourist facilities along the lake. From Lake Ashi Skyline, you can see the sparkling water surface of Lake Ashi.
Hakone Mountains: The Ashinoko Skyline runs through the Hakone mountains. The mountains show different expressions depending on the season. You can enjoy cherry blossoms and fresh greenery in the spring, lush forests in the summer, autumn leaves in the fall, and snowy scenery in the winter.
Observation decks: There are several observation decks at Ashi Lake Skyline. From the observation deck, you can see a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and the mountains of Hakone. The observation deck also has benches and toilets. It’s also nice to take a break and enjoy the scenery.
There are several motorcycle parking lots at Ashinoko Skyline. for example,
Ashinoko Skyline Restaurant: You can park your motorcycle at the restaurant located along the Ashinoko Skyline. “Rest House Fuji View” and “Rest House Lake View” are equipped with a large parking lot, and you can visit them by motorcycle. It is free of charge. Here you can eat and rest while looking at Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi.
Summary
This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Lake Ashinoko Skyline. Lake Ashinoko Skyline is a driving course where you can see spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and the mountains of Hakone. The roads are well maintained, with many curves and ups and downs, making it a rewarding ride. There are observation decks and restaurants along the way. Motorcycle parking is also available free of charge. Ashinoko Skyline is a fun road for bikers. Please try running it once.
[Kanto scenic tour] Bike trip to Lake Ashinoko Skyline, where even beginners can go on a motorcycle! A scenic solo trip through the mountains of Hakone
