Hakone to Tokyo

This morning we woke to the sound of rain and bird calls above the rush of the river. Mist hung low in the valley with little hop of lifting to see Mt Fuji. After breakfast the decision was made not to drive to the Mt Fuji fifth station but to visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum on Lake Kawaguchi at the foot of Mt Fuji.

What a magnificent museum displaying the fabric art of Itchiku Kubota in the form of kimonos. They are glorious! I was even tempted to buy fabric to remind me of his work as we were not allowed to take photos inside the museum. The garden and buildings (inspired by Gaudi) were also awe inspiring, especially as the autumn foliage colours were so intense.

 

 

To top off the whole visit, as if we hadn't already taken too many photos, Mt Fuji came into view just as we were about to leave. Quite breathtaking even though there was a bit of cloud hiding the summit.

Reluctantly we boarded the bus to go back to the lake for lunch. The view became even better and our lovely driver manoeuvred the bus so that we could get some amazing pictures.

Lunch was in a restaurant overlooking the lake and we had teppanyaki – fine slices of pork and vegetables to be cooked by us on the hot rock plates accompanied by rice, miso soup and green tea.

 

We then headed back through the mountains enjoying our last glimpses of Mt Fuji, to Odawara to catch our next bullet train to Shinagawa, a southern 'suburb' of Tokyo. While waiting on the platform two bullet trains when through at full speed and were incredibly fast. It was only a 20 minute trip but by the time we walked across the road to the hotel we were all so exhausted that we decided not to meet for dinner but just buy essentials and collapse.

Unfortunately the air conditioning in the room doesn't seem to work and it is extremely hot as it has been in every room we've had. At least last night we could open the balcony door for a bit of fresh air.

Robyn and I went out for milk and dinner supplies from 7-11 then had dinner in the room. I did my last washing and created our normal chinese laundry. We eventually worked out how to get the TV in English but got sick of US elections so spent time on emails before getting into bed. We also got the airconditioning working at last so were quite comfortable under our doonas.