Nippon- Out of the city- Hakone 箱根町

Three weeks ago exactly, I was at Hakone! Time flies... holiday throwback sickness T.T

*** some of the information I was extracted from http://www.hakonenavi.jp/

10 Sep 2016, Sat

Woke up in the early morning at 530am, we were taking Odakyu Limited Express "Romancecar" to Hakone which is just 85 minutes away from our stay at Shinjuku. Well, "Romancecar " isn't something lovey dovey exclusively for couple, it is just a normal express train. One day earlier, we already secured our transportation by paying ¥5,140  2-day Free Pass (traveling around at Hakone) with additional ¥890 for the limited express "Romancecar". Total  ¥6,030 cost approximate MYR241 (i changed my currency at ¥1000~MYR40).

Romance car VSE Bento ¥1,030 a train design bento pacakage :)

Along the way, we can see landed houses which we seldom see at Tokyo city. We were just saying these houses are those we saw in Doremon comics, Nobita's neighbouhood!

As soon as we arrived Hakone-Yumoto station, we boarded on Hakone Tozan train to enjoy the breezy weather and beauty of natural of the mountain area there.

After a retro-style journey, we boarded on Hakone Ropeway (cable car) at Sounzan station. Strolling through sky with an astonishing view of Owakudani (The Great Boiling Valley) with first time experience on volcanic zone.

 

Kuro-Tamago "black egg", local specialty of egg hard-boiled in the hot springs. The boiled eggs turn black and smell slightly sulphuric. (For me, it tasted like normal hot boiled egg) Eating one is said to add seven years to your life. ¥500 for 5 in a pack.

Along the sightseeing ropeway from Owakudani to Togendai station, we managed to spot Mount Fuji thanks to the nice weather! Omo, can you spot?

 

Yeah it is time to be fed again! Reaching Togendai-ko (a connecting point to the Hakone Ropeway and Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) , I had lunch on the best recommended Fluffy Rice Omelette in curry with the impressive lake view! Yummm :p

If you missed the Mount Fuji during the ropeway just now, here it comes the second chance to catch in on Hakone Sightseeing cruise! One of my friends claimed that is the pirate ship from One Piece!

Lake Ashinoko (芦ノ湖, Ashinoko), was formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after the volcano's last eruption 3000 years ago. Today, the lake with Mount Fuji in the background is the symbol of Hakone.

Hakone Shrine (箱根神社, Hakone Jinja) stands at the foot of Mount Hakone along the shores of Lake Ashi. The shrine buildings are hidden in the dense forest, but are well advertised by its hugetorii gates.

Here is the opposite of  Hakone-Yumoto station where we enjoyed the wonderful river view and chilling water experience at Ajisai-bashi.

We found stairs leading down to the river near Ajisai-bashi. There are pathways along the river, which are perfect for strolling on a sunny day, just like the day we went.

After that, we went back to our hostel, K's House Hakone to have a short break and our first outdoor onsen experience! I rented a Yukata (Japanese garment, casual summer kimono) to enjoy fully the Japanese onsen experience. First time, I got naked with my friends for a public onsen experience (*shy*)...

After onsen, we enjoyed the hotpot (steamboat) at a restaurant just few steps away from our hostel. Chilling weather plus hotpot- perfect combo yeah!

The next day, I was the first one woke up among my gang to enjoy the peace of mountain and have a cuppa of hot coffee before the new day started.

The public area of the hostel is crowded at night where people from different countries meeting each other, talking about their trips. I was so happy to make some new friends here, a gang of 3 girls from Shanghai who travel to Japan to explore onsen experience too, a Beijing guy who came to explore and study on Japan rail system which is work related and also a friendly British teacher having a bagpack around Japan after her working contract expired whom contributed a brilliant idea for our next stop of trip! Want to know more? Please wait for my next post about Kyoto! :p