Two companies, Hakone Sightseeing Boats and Ashinoko Sightseeing Boats, operate boats from Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi at the lake's southern shores to Togendai at the lake's northern end (25-40 minutes, 1200 yen one way) and Hakone-en at the eastern shore (15-30 minutes, 780 yen one way).

The iconic Hakone Pirate Ships (Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) operate on Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. In 2026, the cruise continues to connect three primary ports: Togendai-ko, Hakonemachi-ko, and Motohakone-ko. A typical one-way trip between Togendai and the southern ports takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Togendai serves as the major transit hub connecting to the Hakone Ropeway, while Motohakone-ko is famous for being a short walk from the "floating" red torii gate of the Hakone Shrine. On clear days in 2026, the route offers one of the most famous views in Japan—the silhouette of Mount Fuji rising behind the lake. The fleet, which includes ships like the Queen Ashinoko and Royal II, is designed with elaborate 17th-century European man-of-war aesthetics, providing a whimsical contrast to the serene volcanic landscape and the ancient cedar-lined shores of the lake.