Mr. & Mrs. Greenwood enjoyed hiking in Kojiri Area of Hakone in September 4, 1999. Hiking started at Kojiri water gate. He went south though a path in a forest along the Lake Ashinoko, a lake formed in a volcanic crater of Hakone.
Pink Route
After a walk of something a few kilometer from starting point, he encountered another water gate called Fukara-suimon. Substantial quantities of water is flowing out of this water gate and outflow water is swallowed into a tunnel drilled through a somma, the outer rim of a volcanic crater.
This irrigation water tunnel was drilled in 1666 for irrigation purpose of Fukara village outside of the outer rim of the Hakone volcanic crater. Fukara village stays in between Mt. Fuji and Mt. Hakone. There had been a vast land but no water. This is the reason why they drilled 1,280 meter tunnel. This tunnel was still in use after more than 300 years.
Kojiri water gate is a natural water out flow point of Lake Hakone. Normally, Kojiri water water gate does not allow water flow, as this water directly flows into ocean.
From the Fukara-suimon water gate, he climbed the outer rim of Hakone volcanic crater and reached a mountain pass called Kojiri-toge.
Kojiri-toge Pass
The Fukara irrigation water tunnel runs underneath the pass.
The road is Hakone skyline toll road.
Hiking course along the outer rim of Hakone volcanic crater was enjoyable.
After a walk passing one peak he reached the point where he met a natural field musician, Izanagi playing synthesizer. From this point he climbed down the hill. It was about 3 hours walk.
September 4, 1999
Rev. February 4, 2006