Getting Out of Tokyo: Hakone

This weekend Ted and I decided to take a day trip to Hakone.  This is an easy train ride away from Tokyo and a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.  Hakone really reminds me of the hill stations in the Himalayas like Simla.  People leave the big cities in India to go to the mountains for an escape and it feels like the Japanese treat Hakone the same way.  Ted and I absolutely fell in love with this quaint town that sits under Mt. Fuji.  It has been so hot in Tokyo that it was nice to go somewhere a little (very little) bit cooler.  Since we were only going for a day we wanted to fit as much in as possible!

We started at Shinjuku station where we were able to buy a free pass.  This is the express train to Hakone...The ride only takes about 1.5 hours.  This ticket was actually a pretty sweet deal because it also included all of our transportation once we got to Hakone as well as discounted rates to activities.  After reaching Hakone we switched to a local train which took us to the Hakone Open Air Museum.  The train ride was absolutely gorgeous.  We climbed the mountain face in the train.  There was greenery on both sides and we passed through small cute neighborhoods.  Our end destination was the Open Air Museum which was the highlight of my day.  This museum is essentially a large park
which is used as a dramatic backdrop for incredible 20th century sculptures.  If you have the opportunity to visit I think it is a must do.

The seats in the the train automatically switched
directions depending on the direction the  train was going!

Hakone Free Pass which we used for all our transportation all day

Hakone Open Air Museum

One of many amazing views from the train

We then took a cable car to Sounzan to be able to take the gondola ride over the mountain and take in the beautiful scenery from above.  A little fun fact is that I have not even been on a cable car in SF so I had to take my first cable car ride ever in Japan.  The views from the gondolas were very pretty and it ended at Lake Ashi or Hakone Lake.  This is a huge lake surrounded by green mountain/hills on either side. We took a boat ride across the lake to get back to Hakone.  On a clear day you can get pretty dramatic views of Mt. Fuji and its reflection on the lake.  However, yesterday was pretty overcast so we were not able to see the mountain.  Guess that means I will have to go back!

Gondola ride

View from the gondola

Lake Ashi

Boat ride across Lake Ashi

We ended our day by treating ourselves to an evening at an Onsen.  Onsens are naturally occurring hot springs.  This was definitely a cultural experience.  Ted and I ate a traditional Japanese meal on the floor in our own little room of the restaurant.  Then men and women split up and have their own onsens.  From what I saw on the girls side there were about 6 different onsens with different temperature water in each.  The onsen was filled with mostly Japanese people looking for a little relaxation over their weekend.  This is one of the most peaceful and relaxing places I have ever been to.

entrance to the Onsen

napping room with a lush view onto a small ravine

our own little dinner room

traditional japanese meal

I had a lovely day in Hakone and definitely hope I am able to go back during my time in Japan.  It is a great little escape from Tokyo and I want to go back and see Mt. Fuji!