When you visit Lake Ashi in Hakone, you will see a unique sight. Large, colorful pirate ships sail across the beautiful volcanic lake. This leaves many international travelers wondering: why are there pirate ships in the middle of Hakone’s mountains?
Historically, Hakone had no real pirates. The pirate design actually started in the 1960s. At that time, the Hakone sightseeing boat company wanted a revolutionary idea to surprise their guests.
The company found inspiration during a trip to Disneyland in the United States. They saw how themed attractions created incredible excitement for visitors. Consequently, they realized that a sightseeing boat should not just be a regular ferry. They decided to turn the boat itself into an exciting theme park attraction!
The company had another profound reason for this choice. As you may know, mountain weather in Hakone changes rapidly. On rainy or foggy days, thick mist often hides the beautiful view of Mt. Fuji. Naturally, travelers feel very disappointed when they cannot see the scenery.
Therefore, they thought creatively: “If the fog hides the view, let’s make the ship the main scenery!” They believed that a grand pirate ship emerging from the thick white fog would look incredibly dramatic. It makes travelers feel like they are stepping into a movie scene. This brilliant strategy turned bad weather into a magical adventure!
Want to ride the legendary Pirate Ship?
Even though they are tourist attractions, these ships are highly authentic. Designers carefully modeled them after 17th and 18th-century European warships.
Today, JGL bus tours include this iconic cruise in the itinerary. We handle all the ticket bookings for you. Therefore, you can skip the ticket lines and hop straight onto the deck to enjoy your adventure, rain or shine!
Enjoy the scenic ropeway, volcanic valley, and the pirate ship cruise all in one day.
