Hakone Shrine / Torii on Lake Ashi (Kanagawa)

#mytraveldiary The iconic red torii gate of Hakone Shrine, standing partly in Lake Ashi’s waters, was even more magical in person. Approaching through a forested path lined with ancient cedar trees, I felt the shrine’s sacred aura. The main hall, tucked away in the woods, was serene and less crowded than I expected. But the highlight was standing by the lake with the torii rising out of the water, Mt. Fuji faintly visible in the distance. It was a moment of pure harmony between nature and spirituality. #mytraveldiary