Hakone Sekisho

The ruins of the Edo Period Hakone Sekisho on the banks of Lake Ashi have been faithfully restored and opened to the public. (A sekisho was a facility located at main traffic points for inspection). The reproduction is not only of the facade, such as the sekisho building and the stone walls, but also of furnitures, weapons and armor. The accurate restoration was made possible by the existence of detailed reports on a complete renovation during the Edo Period. A look at the stone wall that skillfully utilizes the mountain slope gives you an idea of how advanced the technology of the days were. There are figures in the likeness of officials inside the building to give you the sense of going back in time to the Edo Period. Those who want to learn the history of Hakone may enjoy comparing the Hakone of today to the old Edo Period maps. To get to the sekisho, take the bus bound for Hakonemachi from Odawara Station on the JR and Odakyu lines, get off at Hakone Sekisho-ato bus stop (approx. 55 minutes) then walk for 2 minutes.