During my trip to Japan, way back in Jan 2005, my friends choose Hakone as my first travel destination. Hakone is very popular among locals and foreign visitors. Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Famous for hot springs, natural beauty and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji. It was awesome experience. My friend Om did all the planning. Since he knew how to speak, read and write Japanese lot of things have become easier. He is master of the Japanese language.All of us were staying in Hino and decided to take the train following route
On our way we halted for an hour at Odawara (Kanagawa Perfecture). There are quite a few things to see at Odawara like Odawar Tenshukaku (Castle) , Rekishi-Kenbunkan, Tokiwagi-mon Gate, Akagane-mon Gate, Zoo/ Childern's playground. All these places are just 10 min walk from the Odawara station. We spend around 30 min at Odawara Tenshukaku at Honmaru as a symbol of castle. By the time we reached there it was already 8:30 AM and we had started at around 6am. Decided to have our breakfast (bread and butter) there itself. After the checking the other places we decided to get back to station to reach our final destination (Hakone).
From Odawara station, we boarded on Odakyu Rail to reach Gora. It was around 40-50 mins ride. It passed to desne valley and gains more than 300 meters. From Gora to Sounzan by Hakone Tozan Cable car, From Sounzan to Togendai by Hakone Rope way. It was my first experience in cable car and ropeway and I fully enjoyed this. Though it was raining and mountains were full of snow, I don't have words to describe the panaromic view from the ropeway. During clear weather, one can see the view of Mount Fuji.
It was around 11:30 AM when we reached at Togendai and to my surprise, there was a lake Ashi amidst mountains, which we had to cross on a pirate ship shaped boat. As I mentioned, it was a cloudy day and raining, that could not deter us to go to top floor of the boat and enjoy the scenic beauty and views of Lake Ashi. Took lots of pics as ell. Mount Fuji was still not visible due to clouds.
Hino --> Yokohama --> Odawara --> Hakone-Yumoto
Hakone-Yumoto --> Gora --> Sounzan -->Togendai -->Hakonemachi -->Moto-Hakone
On our way we halted for an hour at Odawara (Kanagawa Perfecture). There are quite a few things to see at Odawara like Odawar Tenshukaku (Castle) , Rekishi-Kenbunkan, Tokiwagi-mon Gate, Akagane-mon Gate, Zoo/ Childern's playground. All these places are just 10 min walk from the Odawara station. We spend around 30 min at Odawara Tenshukaku at Honmaru as a symbol of castle. By the time we reached there it was already 8:30 AM and we had started at around 6am. Decided to have our breakfast (bread and butter) there itself. After the checking the other places we decided to get back to station to reach our final destination (Hakone).
From Odawara station, we boarded on Odakyu Rail to reach Gora. It was around 40-50 mins ride. It passed to desne valley and gains more than 300 meters. From Gora to Sounzan by Hakone Tozan Cable car, From Sounzan to Togendai by Hakone Rope way. It was my first experience in cable car and ropeway and I fully enjoyed this. Though it was raining and mountains were full of snow, I don't have words to describe the panaromic view from the ropeway. During clear weather, one can see the view of Mount Fuji.
It was around 11:30 AM when we reached at Togendai and to my surprise, there was a lake Ashi amidst mountains, which we had to cross on a pirate ship shaped boat. As I mentioned, it was a cloudy day and raining, that could not deter us to go to top floor of the boat and enjoy the scenic beauty and views of Lake Ashi. Took lots of pics as ell. Mount Fuji was still not visible due to clouds.
Related Links
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html
