Hakone Things to Do

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This is the part of the trip where we were sure that we would see Mt Fuji! At every moment we expected a break in the clouds...but it just wasn't to be. We got out at Owaku-dani to change cars ( we elected not to visit the 'pits' because of concern for the baby re the sulpher), only to discover that the second half of our cable car had become a bus (closed for maitenance), so our last hope was gone! It was probably for the best given my fear of heights (if I could see where I was going I probably wouldn't have got on in the first place!). So! If you do the Hakone 'loop', be prepared for dissapointment....you won't always get the views you expect! if all else fails, look at photo's other VT'ers have taken!

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We did this as part of the Hakone 'loop'. (Train, funicular, cable-car,boat,hike/bus back to station). We caught the local train from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora and the funicular from there. The local train is a rattly old thing, but loads of fun for the kids. The funicular scared the pants off me (I have a fear of anything held up by a cable), but was an experience...the mountain is really steep! The trip is very pretty scenery-wise. We had a 'free pass' (see website below), so I don't know the cost on its own.

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Lake Ashi is beautiful (even on a miserable day when you don't get to see Mt Fuji), and the pirate ships are a 'must do' if you have kids. They run in both directions across the lake between Hakone-machi and Togendai. One way cost is 970yen, or free if you have the Hakone Free Pass(see website below). We did the trip as part of the Hakone 'loop', (train, funicular, cable car, boat and hike/bus back to station), and it was a great day.

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Beautiful scenery without a doubt, great for nature photography. When you've reached Owakudani you will smell that unmistakable stench of sulphur but climbing up the hill is really worth it! It's like watching the pools of witchcraft bubbling in the sulphuric pools... Be sure to stop by for some melon buns at the small shop before you go up.

Mount Fuji's 5th station during Autumn can get really cold even though it doesn't feel like it before you ascend... so bring some warm clothing. At the 5th station there's a little shop selling postcards with a postal service so you could write yourself a card from Mt Fuji and they'll mail it for you. :)

On a sunny, clear day Lake Ashi is gorgeous. Here is a photo of Mt. Fuji, taken aboard the lake cruise, peaking from behind the mountains. There is a nice cafe near Hotel de Yama which sits right on the lake with perfect views including a terrace. I didn't stay at the hotel but did walk through the lobby. It's quite beautiful. Check out the site:

http://www.odakyu-hotel.co.jp/yama-hotel/english/index.html

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Any guided trip through the Hakone region will include a long distance view of this castle, a reproduction of a building built in the 1400's and for a period of perhaps 100 years occupied by one of the ruling clans of Japan. With the rise of Edo (Tokyo) these lesser castles and the owners lost improtance. At one point, the Japanese government destroyed all the castles but many including this one were rebuilt after WWII to emphasize Japanese history and culture. For those on longer stays, the castle houses a museum.

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The crater formed when Mt. Hakone last erupted 3 centuries ago still emits hot vapors and sulphurous fumes, creating a scene that might be drawn from Tolkein's Mordor. Steam rises from the rivers flowing through this area.

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This elongated lake developed about 3000 years ago during the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Hakone. Extremely scenic, it is lined by dense forests, shrines, and luxury hotels and crisscrossed by passenger ferries, some oddly decorated as pirate ships. It is also popular with fishermen. These photos give an idea of how pretty the lake is. On clear days, which are not frequent, views of Mt. Fuji are supposed to be beautiful but we didn't see any.