I'm most impressed by Sadaharu's dessert creations and very much look forward to sampling the same myself one fine day... in 2010.
No matter where I go, I always find myself drawn to Japan as the one place I admire and adore, both food-wise and culture-wise.
Thank you very much for reviving fond memories of my past holidays there. Don't stop - this is a great TR in the making and an inspiration for others also!
The first thing to say is if you plan to stay in Hakone, get Hakone Free Pass.
It entitles you to all the public transport within Hakone. Not JR though.
Discounts are given if you buy it when you buy your Odakyu Romance Car tickets.
There is a surcharge when you travel on the Romance Car.
Hakone Yumoto - Gora
This is on a Hakone Tozan Railwayswitchback train.
Meaning the train zig zags its way up to Gora.
Twice it stops, tracks are switched, then it continues up on another track in reverse direction.
Get ready to get great scenic shot as the railway track crosses the river.
I missed it!!!!
You only get one chance!
The switchback train at Gora Station
On our way home...
Inside the train
Not much room for bags. The Japanese travel light!
On our way to Hakone, we couriered our bags to Hyatt Regency Hakone.
We had to drag our bags along with us on the way back ( to NRT ).
Scenic train ride
I missed getting a pic as train crosses river. Don't you...
December yet the autumn leaves are still stunning..
Gora - Sounzan by cable car
It's not a cable car. It's more like the Hong Kong Peak Tram.
What's more the Hakone Ropeway we catch to continue to the summit
and then down to Lake Ashi is a cable car not a Ropeway!
Gora Station.
Hakone Tozan Railway pulls in at right of picture
Souzan Cable Car on left ( above blue van )
Few shops around station close early. Don't expect night life in Hakone..
The Ropeway takes you to Owakudani, at the top of the volcano.
Then you have to change cable cars to descend.
Or you can first get off and try their black hard boiled eggs before continuing.
They are black because of the sulphur.
I wanted a shot of our shadow to show how sunny it was.
But it was so bright the shopping bag was caught in the reflection!
Looking East, Tokyo Bay can be seen in the distance.
On a good day, as you crest over the summit, Mt Fuji appears and the whole cable car goes "Waahhh!" Note steam vents at lower left side of pic
Look down and you see them mining sulphur from the volcano,
as well as steam vents. Smells like rotten eggs.
On the descent, Lake Ashi is on the left. Mt Fuji on the right.
Last edited by 9V-SIA; 23 December 2009, 12:20 PM.
At the Ropeway terminus, a short walk brings you to the ferry terminal at Togendai - ko.
Accessible by road too. Car park was full of tourist buses who missed the Ropeway ride.
Tis a pity to miss it. While you can catch the Ropeway from this end, better from Gora.
Then you get the dramatic appearance of Mt Fuji as you crest the top of the volcano.
The Pirate Ship.
We wait for the school kids to disembark and then it's our turn.
Surprisingly pleasant if a bit kitschy.
The views are superb and I have a lot thanks to digital photography and SD cards!
A look back at the ferry terminal as we leave
At the other end of the lake, the ferry stops at 2 points, Hakonemachi & Moto Hakone.
Lion of Venice
Strictly speaking the Venetians did not operate ships like these
However the Venetians were known to have state of the art technology..
Moto Hakone from pirate ship.
Peninsula
Separating Hakone Machi & Moto Hakone.
Look carefully. Peninsula in foreground by lake. Mountain in background.
There used to be a Shogun's castle sitting here
Now it is Hakone Detached Palace Gardens
Village of Hakonemachi
The modern building at the waterfront is Hakone Hotel.
Went in to look. I'd stay there if I wanted a lake view.
Finally time to get off the ferry. Look back for a view of Mt Fuji.
Last edited by 9V-SIA; 21 December 2009, 10:58 PM.
Aside from the interesting souvenir & snack shops that I like to browse,
we walked along the Cedar Avenue ( part of the old Tokaido trail ) from Hakonemachi to Moto Hakone. You could take the pirate ship between H machi & Moto H too but don't. It is a pleasant walk to Moto H and you will miss the shopping in H machi
Tokaido trail was the "highway" that links Tokyo to Kyoto during samurai times.
Close my eyes and I imagine ninjas jumping on me from the cedar trees.
They surround me... circling.
I stare at the ground and slowly draw my Masahisa made samurai sword..
At the end of the walk, there is a tea house serving hot, sweet rice wine & snacks but we were running late
( delayed by shopping in the 2 towns )
and decided to just lunch in Moto Hakone before heading back to the hotel by bus.
My Ramen
Dessert ( different restaurant )
Mt Fuji Views from Moto Hakone
Waahhh....
Bus ride back to Gora or Hakone-Yumoto
Even less room for bags than switchback train between Gora and Hakone-Yumoto.
Time to ski....
Last edited by 9V-SIA; 27 February 2010, 11:01 AM.
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