Hakone Shrine

The shrine at Hakone is almost magestic. It is a peaceful place, nestled amongst tall, ancient cedar trees, not far from Ashinoko Lake. Legend has it that the nearby area had been experiencing activity from the nearby volcano and people attributed this to an evil nine headed dragon in the lake. A monk dealt with the dragon and it became a protector instead and was enshrined here.

Is anyone surprised at this point to see a bunch of stairs on the way to the shrine?

Main building

Such vivid colors

Praying at the main shrine

Ema, plaques that people inscribe with their wishes 

Ema wishes

Ema wishes

Five heads of the nine headed dragon. There were nine but I didn't like the photo. 

One can drink from one dragon head, or any number, or there was a place where all nine were mixed together 

Little Torii gate leading to a little shrine

Maybe one day the little shrine will grow into a big shrine

Smaller shrine building off to the side

Path back down to town

Torii gate on the water, should you approach by boat