's a town in Japan, in Kanagawa Prefecture, in Ashigarashimo District, located on the eastern foot of Hakone Pass. As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 13,679 and a density of 147 persons per km². The total area's 92.82 km². The Ashigara Checkpoint at Hakone-juku on the historical Tōkaidō marks the beginning of Japan's Kantō region. Since the Edo period, Ashigara Checkpoint has been renamed Hakone Checkpoint. The annual Hakone Ekiden at the New Year runs… (More on Hakone)