Hakone Sightseeing

The second day in Hakone was to do the tourist loop - Gora for the Open Air Museum, the ropeway for the sulphur eggs, Lake Ashi for the trip to Hakone Shrine and the Peace torii gate, then home.

It was cool that we took so many modes of transportation this day: foot, windy mountain train, rope way (yes, this was part of the transit link), pirate ship (also transit), and bus! All of this was covered by a $30 Hakone Free Pass which made it super easy.

The Open Air Museum with its enclosed Picasso Pavilion was super cool. The whole setting was so peaceful and the art was inspiring and whimsical. It took us a bit over an hour to enjoy it. We then headed to the Hakone ropeway which took us to Lake Ashi with a fun stop at Awakudani for the sulphur mine and the sulphur eggs that are the specialty touted to add 7 years to your life. We were blessed with a fine clear day that gave us spectacular views of Mt Fuji. Reboarding the Ropeway, we ended at Lake Ashi, a beautiful volcanic lake. We had lunch there while waiting to board the ridiculous, but finely appointed galleons for the trip to Hakone Shrine with the torii “peace gate” in the shore of the lake. The line for photos was crazy, so we headed up to the Hakone Shrine in an old growth cedar forest. Gorgeous. We made it just in time for the last bus back to near our hotel and trudged up the hill to find dinner.Read more