The Hakone Eki-den Museum

Dedicated to the thrilling annual university relay-race

Larry Knipfing Apr 27, 2013 - 1 min read

<p>The terrific annual Hakone Eki-den University Relay-Race</p>

<p>Entrance to the museum, situated at the bottom of the lake</p>

<p>It's a small museum that is actually not very dynamic</p>

<p>The musuem includes maps, photos, lists of records and stories</p>

<p>A collection of race posters from over the years</p>

<p>Medals, old running shoes, and other memorabilla</p>

If you happen to be in Japan during the New Year holidays, spend some time watching the annual university relay-race on TV, January 2nd-3rd. It starts in Tokyo and ends in Hakone the first day, then boomerangs back to Tokyo for the finish the second day, covering a distance of 108km. The race began in 1920, and is truly thrilling. The museum, located at the bottom end of Lake Ashino-ko, does not pack the emotional wallop that the actual race does, but might be interesting for fans of the race nonetheless, with photos, history, videos, mementos, and gift shop.

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...