Hakone Tokaido, the land of excellent
water
Crossing Hakone was one of the most challenging parts of the Tokaido Way. Travelers faced extreme hardship on this path of Hachiri (approx.32km).
Here, travelers would have been offered drinking water on their way. This water from Hakone was always considered sacred, based on ancient mountain worship.
Along with the kindness of the innkeepers who reached out to support the travelers, make this water extra special.
As the first action of the “Hakone Yosebito” project, five water supply points have been set up along the Tokaido Way,
Water from Hakone will be offered to those who walk along the Tokaido Way with their bottles. No unnecessary plastic bottles!
We propose a trip that does not generate excess plastic waste.
We aim to convey “The inn culture of Tokaido, the preciousness of water resources, and the importance of forest resources” through this project.
About Hakone’s water
Hakone is a mountainous volcanic area that has been active for hundreds of thousands of years and still emits volcanic fumes, as seen in Owakudani.
Hakone has long been known for its hot springs, which are popular with tourists from Japan and abroad. As Hakone’s water and hot springs are both from underground water veins, it is necessary to explain the relationship between them to describe the uniqueness of Hakone’s water.
Hakone’s hot springs can be divided into two types: acid sulfate springs, which smell of sulfur and have a cloudy yellowish-white color, and chloride springs, which are transparent and colorless. These springs are influenced by geological and rock veins and their characteristics.
Similarly, Hakone’s water comes from the rain that falls on mountainsides and is characterised by the individual geological and rock veins through which the water filters. Water sources north of Mt. Soun and Owakudani are classified as medium-hard water with relatively high hardness (calcium, magnesium, etc.), while other water sources tend to be soft water.
Both of these waters are refreshing and pure. Unlike urban water, which requires a multitude of treatments, Hakone’s water is pure and of excellent quality. We are proud that it requires minimal rocessing. By carefully managing the underground water sources (spring and well water), we wish to preserve Hakone’s drinking water and hot springs as treasured natural resources for future generations.
Written by Katsuhiro Yamazaki
Hakone-machi, Environmental Maintenance Department, Water Supply and Sewerage Hot Springs Division, Chief of Water Supply and Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Water Supply Engineering Section (Water Supply Technical Supervisor)
*Mr. Yamazaki also provided us with notes on the water quality of each water supply point.
Project officials
In addition to stores and inns that provide water supply spots, people who love “Hakone’s excellent water” and “Hakone’s nature” are participating in the Hakone Yosebito Project. We would like to introduce them here.
Please click on the images to see them.