Today we did a circuit of Hakone which took us through and over mountains, across lakes and down meandering roads. I could live in a place like here it’s just so very peaceful and soothing. Saying that though a lot of the transport was crowded today with tourists from across everywhere including Japan.
Our circuit route was Tonosawa – Gora – Souenzan – Owakudani – Togendai – Hakone Machi – Moto Hakone – Hakone Yumoto.
Just to clarify this area is huge and spans several different transport links. We took the mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, pirate ship and finally bus which was all covered by the Hakone Free Pass.
Mount Fuji
The best views of Mount Fuji (short of going to the top of Mount Komaga-take) were taken at Owakudani on a clear day. We were really lucky that the day was so beautiful, clear and warm as the top of the mountain and at the lake the wind tends to blow a lot fiercer. Thank you Cotsworld for my wonderful mountain jumper!
The mysterious Black Egg is said to increase your life span by 7 years. I’m not an egg person but I had a nibble and it was really yummy! You can find out more about the eggs here.
Vince was the really nice lady who offered us the eggs as the place that sold them only sold them in batches of five. Thank you Vince! It’s also unwise to eat more than two by yourself! I wonder what she will do with the last egg…
Lake Ashi
When I first heard we would be taking a pirate ship I was wondering why there is a pirate ship on Lake Ashi. Then I saw it and I thought “this is really cool!’ and so it didn’t matter why so much. I always like to see fun stuff anyway!
The view across Lake Ashi is really stunning. That postcard photo of Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi and Hakone Jinja can be taken as the pirate ship goes from Hakone-machi to Motohakone. The wind was really cold though despite the warm sun and high temperatures. In winter it must truly be freezing!
At Motohakone we walked to Hakone Jinja and Hakone Torii where we climbed several flights of stairs (reminded me a bit of Kung Fu Panda) and had a look at the huge cedar trees, temple and dragon fountains.
This section of the trip was truly amazing though, I thought it would be and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. We’ll will be heading out to Osaka in a few hours time where we should hopefully be reunited with our couriered luggage.
Nikki wow what beautiful photos! The landscapes seem so stunning. Makes me wanna be there; an aspect of what good travel photography should be. Nice one. Hi to Jose. Sounds like yous are having a great time.
Thanks! The photos don’t do the landscapes justice, it’s so beautiful and you should go! Jose has his own blog http://joseguerra.co.uk if you wanted to read what he thought of the experience 🙂
Hi, amazing experience of your trip! How to get the Hakone free pass? Thanks.
🙂 You can find out more about the Hakone Freepass here http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
Hi, your photo is cool, make me wanna be there too!
At Motohakone we walked to Hakone Jinja and Hakone Torii where we climbed several flights of stairs! How long is the walk? Convenience to bring my active son 4 years old?
It’s a tough one, we did the whole thing in a day but it is a lot of walking overall. Your four year old will get tired quick I think!
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