Every year on the 2nd and 3rd of January the Hakone Ekiden is held.  The event was started in 1920 and is a collegiate relay marathon race from Tokyo to the shores of Lake Ashi and back again the next day This is one of Japan’s most popular sporting events and it’s full of drama and excitement. In March of 2005 the Ekiden Museum was opened. This Museum displays famous scenes from this popular race and the museum also details some of the most dramatic moments of the race. The race is televised nationally but this museum documents the drama, sportsmanship, and the history of this popular sporting event. You can also buy various official goods at the store and the “Ashiato” sweet bean paste cakes are very popular.