Hakone II
At the end of Lake Ashikogo is the Hakone Detatched Palace Garden.
The imperial palace on the grounds was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1920's and was replaced by a villa, in an odd amalgam of Western styles. 
From the villa are views of the lake.
This area is famous for its view of Mount Fuji on clear days. (Its appearance is rare during the rainy season--we only got a five minute peak at the peak). 
Hakone was a check point on the road from Kyoto to Edo during the Tokugawa Shogunate. There is a reconstruction of the post station. 
The Hakone Shrine in its current form dates to the late seventeenth century. 
We stayed at Shunkoso Hakone Ryokan in Hakone-Yumoto. A Ryokan is a traditional inn. This one sprawled up the side of the hill, and had an onsen (a bath supplied by a hot springs). 
Our room was tatami-matted, the beds were mattresses laid on the floor. The room had peaceful views of the greenery. 
Hakone-Yumoto is at the base of the valley leading into Hakone; it has shrines and pleasant views as well. 
