Day 5 Hakone

Leaving Tokyo today and heading to the lakeside resort town of Hakone famous for its hot mineral spring baths.
We had our first view of Mount Fuji with a sprinkling of snow on top, lucky for us we had a fairly clear view of this iconic mountain.
A lovely cruise on Lake Owakudani with more views of Mount Fuji. Lunch in Hakone was at a tiny dumpling restaurant and despite the language barrier we managed to order the most delicious dumplings and refreshing beer.
We enjoyed an interesting walk along the cedar lined passage of the old Tokaido and walked through a reconstruction of the Hakone Checkpoint.
Then it was a cable car ride on the Halone Ropeway seeing a crater that was created 3000 years ago and emits sulphur gas. The area is famous for the Black Eggs, which are eggs cooked in Sulphur, we didn't fancy trying them.

Finally made it to our beautiful hotel in Moto-Hakone, it is very quaint and old fashioned with beautiful views of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji.
We had a traditional Japanese bath experience at the hotel , before we bathed we had to understand and follow all the many rituals of bathing at the Onsen. The bath in the hot mineral spring bath was as so beautiful and relaxing - and in true Japanese tradition we bathed in our birthday suits - ladies only.Read more