After such a long day, Dennis and I decided we would like to try our hand at some local cuisine. So we settled for a “pot dinner”. We walked a few blocks from the Ryokan, to what looked like somebody’s home.
Nobody was there yet, as we were pretty early (5pm ish). So, we stepped in the foyer and shouted “Sumimasen” a couple times. A few minutes passed and an elderly lady greeted us. She did not speak much English, but since we knew a few words in Japanese, we got along fine. (more…)
After the adventure to try and see Mt. Fuji this morning, we went to the Hakone Open Air Musuem. As you know, there is nothing better than seeing art in the rain! (more…)
On the Furnicular Train
The Conductor on the Furnicular. There are two trains using one track and halfway up/down the hill, there is a bypass. It looks like both trains are going to collide and at the last minute, they don’t!
On May 11th, we took a bus, a furnicular railway, and a cable car to Owakudani (where we were hoping to get a glance of Fuji). It was raining all day, but we went up there anyways on the off-chance weather might change. It didn’t-so we were treated to howling winds and horizontal rainshowers. The cable car ride was quite exciting, especially for those members of the tour who were fearfull of heights. (more…)
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From Nikko, we spent an entire day travelling back to the Shinjuku Eki (Station) in Tokyo, in order to take a train to Hakone-Fuji area. We’ll be in this resort area for a couple days now, and it looks to been an adventure! Hakone-Fuji is known for it’s onsens and for the health they bring. Unfortunately, I’ve managed to pick up a cold!
Our Ryokan, The Fuji-Hakone, has an outdoor family style onsen one can reserve, as well as an indoor single onsen! Our room, #8, has 10 tatami mats-quite spacious. The room to beg for is #7 as it sports a breakfast alcove and a sink with a mirror! (more…)
Next we go to Nikko (elev. 557 meters). It is beautiful, hilly area with lots of water. Our ryokan (the Turtle Inn) sports a family Onsen (Japanese spa) so I’m really excited! We are going to hike to the shrine dedicated to the first shogun of the edo era. Neat stuff Maynard!
By the time we got into Nikko on the 8th, it was time for dinner, so after dumping our bags into the “October” room, we checked back in with the group.
We went out to a local establishment for a FANTASTIC meal of Yakkitori. We all sat closeby, and it was quite an intimate setting. We had a small room to ourselves, and we did get a little roughty at times. The sake was flowing and we were a glowing.
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