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The pirate ships from Hakone

By Muza-chan on Oct 9, 2009 | In Japan travel | 27 feedbacks »

As a child, I was fascinated by adventure books with explorers and pirates and I was dreaming of sailing away… I know, it’s unusual for a girl, but I even learned some sailing and navigation terms.
So, when I visited Hakone, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the pirate ships from the Lake Ashi.

Hakone Lake Ashi

Click on photo for higher resolution:

The pirate ships from Hakone belong to the Odakyu company and are connecting Togendai, the terminal for the Hakone Ropeway, to Motohakone-ko or Hakone-machi. Small travel tip, if you buy a Hakone FreePass, the boat ride is included in the price.

The 4 ships are replicas of real historical ships (but not actual pirate ships). I traveled with The Royal, inspired by a 17th-century French sailing warship named Soleil-Royal, colored in red, with a double-decker promenade and observation deck:

Click on photo for higher resolution:

Hakone Lake Ashi

During our sail we also encountered the three other ships:
The Vasa, painted emerald green and decorated with ornately sculpted woodwork, built after a ship from the 17th century that belonged to the Swedish King Gustav Adolph…

Follow up:

Click on photo for higher resolution:
Hakone Lake Ashi

Click on photo for higher resolution:

Hakone Lake Ashi

Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi

….The Victory, a replica of a famous 18th century British warship…

Click on photo for higher resolution:

Hakone Lake Ashi

…and The Frontier, built after a 19th century American paddle steamer from the Mississippi River in those days:

Click on photo for higher resolution:

Hakone Lake Ashi

It is steered with a stern paddle:

Hakone Lake Ashi

Click on photo for higher resolution:

Hakone Lake Ashi

The Lake Ashi is a very good place to admire Mount Fuji. However, even here, the mountain is not visible all the time. I was lucky and I’ve seen it for a few good minutes, then it disappeared in the clouds.

Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi

The ship ride is about 20 de minute, and the view is breathtaking. Soon after leaving the docks, you can see Hakone with its big red torii…

Click on photo for higher resolution:

Hakone Lake Ashi

… then the ship passes by the well known Hakone Shrine “floating” torii.

Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi

After the first torii disappears, a second, smaller floating torii appears, belonging to the Kuzuryu Shrine.

Hakone Lake Ashi
More photos:

Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi

The Royal’s steering room:

Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi

Obviously, there are also some pirates…

Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi
Hakone Lake Ashi
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 JapanSoc
The pirate ships from lake Ashi, Hakone
As a child, I was fascinated by adventure books with explorers and pirates and I was dreaming of sailing away... I know, it's unusual for a girl, but I even learned some sailing and navigation terms.
So, when I visited Hakone, I couldn't miss the oppor...
10/09/09 @ 14:13
 LuciF (Lucian Florea)
Twitter Comment
The pirate ships from Hakone [link to post] (via @Muzachan) - Posted using Chat Catcher
10/09/09 @ 16:35
 Gerrypap (Gerry Papenburg)
Twitter Comment
Nice :) RT @Muzachan The pirate ships from Hakone [link to post] - Posted using Chat Catcher
10/09/09 @ 16:36
 robertsavva (Rob K)
Twitter Comment
RT @LuciF: The pirate ships from Hakone [link to post] (via @Muzachan) - Posted using Chat Catcher
10/09/09 @ 16:37
 yonasu · http://yonasu.com
Wow those are some colorful ships right there! Also didn't expect you or any other Japan blogger to ever mention a Swedish king :D
10/09/09 @ 18:02
 julochka Email · http://julochka.blogspot.com
i think these pirate ships that you found are much nicer than the ones today's pirates are using in the gulf of aden. :-) beautiful pictures!
10/09/09 @ 19:21
 hikky Email · http://austrianotaku.com
Harrr, so you can be a pirate for 20 minutes in Japan? :D Interesting.
Great pics as usual. The scenery with Mt. Fuji in the background must be awesome.
10/09/09 @ 19:28
 whipcracker
RT @Muzachan: The pirate ships from Hakone http://bit.ly/nOp9E
10/09/09 @ 19:47
 whipcracker Email
What an an amazing story and breathtaking photos:thumb::photo: The only time my wife and I rode on these type of ships was at DisneyWorld. We rode on the steam paddle ship that took us to one of the parks. It was a neet feeling to be out on the open water in a vessele like that.
10/09/09 @ 19:52
 michelle · http://michelleonlinediary.blogspot.com/
WOW!! you take amazing photographs! and those ships were awesome. i wish i can ride on one of those and pretend to be a pirate
10/10/09 @ 00:23
 GoddessCarlie · http://www.goddesscarlie.com
I'm so jelous of your Hakone trip! When I went it was wet, cold and miserable. We didn't even get to see mt fuji. :(
10/10/09 @ 02:38
 TEFAfar (The Envoy)
Twitter Comment
Arrrr.....matey, hoist ye sails!: [link to post] - Posted using Chat Catcher
10/10/09 @ 09:24
 Ocean Girl · http://www.livehighlivemightyliverighteously.blogspot.com/
I've been to Lake Ashi, I've been on the ship. But I did not as good pictures as yours. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed them, though with mixed feelings.
10/10/09 @ 17:10
 Barbara · http://abirdinmyhand.blogspot.com
OMG! What a fantastic post. I feel like I've been there, now! Though I probably never will get there, the pirate ships! The mountain! Just beautiful. Thank you!
10/10/09 @ 18:25
 Dee · http://newenglandnanny.blogspot.com
Hi -- thank you for stopping by my blog!

You have a wonderful blog -- thank you for sharing your adventures and taking your readers along. Very cool pirate ships!
10/16/09 @ 02:45
 Nezzy Email · http://cowpattysurprise.blogspot.com
I just wanted to thank you for poppin' in my blog and jumping on. I hope you enjoy the ride. As we say here in the Ozarks hills and hollers, "ya'll come back now, ya hear!"

You have a wonderful blog here, I'm going to have fun poking around here.

Ya'll have a wonderful day filled with blessings!
10/20/09 @ 15:58
 Sam
i dont get it. If its not a pirate ship, why you call it a pirate ship?

Its just a ship, a very nice ship tho. But why dramatic about it?
10/21/09 @ 10:37
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://www.muza-chan.net
@Sam:
That's how they call those ships. They are also decorated accordingly.
A pirate ship is also a type of amusement ride. :D Read this: Pirate ship

10/21/09 @ 12:02
 Hortist Email · http://www.hortist.blogspot.com
Very very nice post on a very very nice blo........I'm really impressed, nice to meet you, keep it up :)
10/21/09 @ 14:53
 jean · http://bluebirdslivinginthemeadow.blogspot.com
ooo your photos are really lovely! looks like you had a grand time!
10/22/09 @ 15:46
 Peter Stone · http://www.cornerstonethefoundation.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the photos of the Japanese pirate ships, I've only seen artists' impressions of them before. Sugoi ne, they look fantastic!
10/24/09 @ 07:44
 keatsthesunshinegirl · http://keatsthesunshine.blogspot.com
Such a treat of lovely post of ships. Love them all. The fun was surely there on a pirate ship!!
10/24/09 @ 12:26
 Gaia · http://www.journeyofasinglemum.blogspot.com
Hey thanks for following my blog. I love Japan and you have recreated my interest in it. I have pic of a lake in my blog have no idea where it is. Well if you happen to pop back at my blog, let me know if you recognise that place. cheers.
10/25/09 @ 03:22
 seyma Email · http://seyma-erol.blogspot.com
OMG!!!!!! it's fascinating!!! they're kick-ass!!
10/25/09 @ 15:11
 Visual Vamp · http://visualvampblogspot.com
Will you please vote for me today Wed. Oct 28 - you have until midnight. Thanks xo xo

http://contests.apartmenttherapy.com/2009/color/main/faceoff/60
10/29/09 @ 01:09
 longnu
On Twitter:
The pirate ships from Hakone [link] this is so cool!
11/13/09 @ 22:28
 JNTOGermany
On Twitter:
Mit dem Piratenship den Ashi-See bei Hakone befahren [link]
12/09/09 @ 11:11

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