Nagoya to Hakone

Off to the bullet train to catch the 9:24 to Odawara, just over an hour away. There we were met by our new guide Keiko who directed us to buy picnic lunch to take with us.

We then boarded our new bus and drove up the steep windy road to Harkone and enjoyed our lunch by Ashi Lake watching tour boats come and go and the locals fishing.

After lunch we boarded one of the tour boats that looked quite incongruous in the setting. This tour was very pleasant and dropped us at the far end of the lake where we took the cable car up to Owakudani Hot Springs. The smell of sulphurous fumes from the springs was quite noticeable. Eggs were being slow boiled in the hot water and came out as black eggs that are supposed to extend your life by 7 years when eaten. I chose not to do so but did enjoy the walk to the springs. Mt Fuji was supposed to be visible from there but the low cloud meant it was not.

By the time we were ready to leave the bus had arrived and drove us back down the very steep hill to the Yomoto Fujiya Hotel in Hakone. We had time to dump our things in our Japanese style room then headed across the river into town (one long street). After a walk to see the shops (mostly food shops) Robyn and I went back to freshen up and sort out.

Dinner was another fantastic Japanese meal with 8 courses, ending with tea. It was then time for our communal hot bath in traditional Japanese style. This was a most relaxing experience that 8 of us enjoyed.

By the time we came back to the room we were both well and truly ready for our hot drink and bed!