Hakone Autumn Leaves Viewing

Note: You can click on the photos to enlarge them

Simon, my colleague, Yuki, a student, and Simon's friends Yoko, Matt, Chris and I journeyed South-West of Tokyo to Hakone. Hakone is very close to the infamous volcano, Mt Fuji, and is a volcanically active region, with geothermal vents, hot springs and a beautiful lake.

To get around, we took a train named a RomanceCar, a cable car, a ropeway, pirate ship and a bus!

On the ropeway/cablecar, there were stunning views of the orange trees, the Tokyo metropolis in the far distance, and of Mt Fuji himself. 

富士山/ Mt. Fuji

Owakudani, home of the sulphur-spewing vents, is home to the 黒たまご. They are black eggs cooked by geothermal method and are said to add 7 years to your life for every egg. We partook of one each!

Ｗe traversed Lake Ashinoko by pirate ship and came across a Torii gate after walking through the Ancient Cedar Avenue- a muddy path through cedar trees planted in 1618 to shelter travellers from sun or snow..

  

Mt Fuji to the left, and the mini floating Torii on the right

Finally, we took a bus which followed a windy, dark path down the mountains to the Tenzan onsen (hot spring). The boys and girls separated for nude public bathing, taking respite from the 15C outside temperature in 40-or-so Centigrade hot spring water. The water only had a slight smell, was quite an opaque colour, and was very, very relaxing!