Hiro came to pick us up really early today for our trip to Hakone. Ivee and I were still not fully awake but we managed to finish our breakfast, check out from the hotel and scramble into Hiro's car.
Toll (can't escape them even in Japan)
We slept during the first part of the journey and only woke up when we took a toilet break at a rest area along the way.
Hakone is situated in Kanagawa prefecture, is part of the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park and is less than 100kms from Tokyo. The trip there kinda reminded me of going up to Cameron Highlands.
Hakone is a popular resort town among Japanese and international tourists. It's well known for its hot springs and communal baths.
Rest Stop Parking Lot
Rest Stop Area
At the rest stop, Ivee and I quickly headed for the 'Ladies' only to be met by a long queue waiting for their turn in the wash closet.
While waiting, something caught our eye. Take a look at the photo below.
See that little board on the wall?
Take a closer look.
Look even closer :-D
Fascinating isn't it? Yellow light means its OCCUPIED and Green means its VACANT. And it also shows which type of toilet it is: Asian (which means you squat) or Western. It's also very convenient for mothers with children in tow. Ingenious! The Japanese think of everything! (Judy's favourite quote) ;-)
We hung around the area a while, took some random photos and then headed off again on our way to Hakone.
Is this a new dance?
Judy's 'photo face'. Honestly, it's almost impossible to get a bad picture of this woman ;-)
When I caught my first glimpse of Mt. Fuji, it was partially covered by mist. Like a shy lady hiding behind a veil. It had been a week of rainy days and the highlands were laden with water vapour, so we never really got a very clear sight of the mountain.
Even so, when I first saw it, it blew me away! I can still feel the mixed emotions it stirred within me as I write about it now.
There are no appropriate words to describe it: Magnificent? Majestic? Awesome? Commanding? Imposing presence? All of that and more! It was at once real and surreal. The mountain that I've read in books and seen in photos is now before me. And it took my breath away.
Hakone
The Hakone Prince Hotel.
The most expensive hotel with room rates of several thousand ringgit per night's accommodation. Double WOW!!
When we reached Hakone, Hiro drove us around Lake Ashi and stopped by several spots in town. We couldn't check into our hotel until 4pm so we had lots of time to wander.
Our ride this time was a BMW
In the background: Tents and lanterns for Hanami (the tradition of viewing Sakuras in full bloom)
Because the weather here is cooler, sakuras are still blossoming
Lake Ashi and Mt Fuji in the background
At noon, we stopped for lunch at a cute little restaurant just beside the lake.
Restaurant 'Lake Side Cabin' where we had lunch
View from the restaurant
After lunch, we took in some ice cream :-) It's called soft cream ice cream and it's really soft and creamy and yummy. You getting the picture? Kinda like A&W ice-cream (if you've tried it), but even softer and yummier. And it comes in flavours you wouldn't think of: like sesame ice-cream anyone? It's grey in colour ;-)
Let's go grab some ice cream
Ivee's ice cream's flavour is sesame. Notice it's grey.
Then we stopped by a little hotel where Hiro wanted to check out there ballroom as he's planning to hold a line dance event there later in the year.
Whither my Prince Charming?
Clowning around
And its a..1, 2, 3,...1,2,3
One for the album
We also stopped by resort club house and a small tucked-away cosy cafe up in the highlands where we took more photos (hehe).
Lovely wedding setting at the club
My Prince Charming still hasn't showed up
Maybe this pose will help
As still had a bit more time to kill, Hiro drove us to a the Hakone Checkpoint Museum (Hakone Sekisho).
Entrance to the museum
Bird's eyeview of the compound
During the
Edo Period, Hakone was an important checkpoint to control traffic along the Tokaido, the highway which linked Tokyo with Kyoto.
Going up to the lookout tower
Mei Ling: 'Hiro...'
Hiro: 'Yes?'
Mei Ling: 'It's a long way down.'
Hiro: 'I know'
In spring 2007, the reconstruction of the Hakone Checkpoint was completed after three years of construction work. The checkpoint now appears true to its original form, including gates, fence, housing for officers and foot soldiers, a prison chamber and lookout tower.
Checking for lice? No! Checking for contraband that may be hidden in the lady's hair. Notice the sad expression of the kneeling lady?
Those found guilty were thrown in this cubicle (jail)
And also made an example of by securing them to the post
A servant preparing the stove in the kitchen quarters
Bathing area
Armoury
A small museum (Hakone Sekisho Shiryokan) with various related exhibits stands nearby (http://www.japan-guide.com/)
Finally, it was time to head up to our lodgings. Can't quite remember where it is located, but I do remember Hiro driving uphill a lot.
Harvest Club (our lodgings)
The front entrance
The entrance as seen from within the building: The door seems almost camouflaged as part of the wall that we walked past it the first time
Hiro checked us in, but we had to settle for a room facing a basketball court as the ones facing the lake were fully occupied.
Catching a power-nap while Hiro checks us in.
I didn't really mind as long as they could provide me a comfy bed on which I could plonk my tired self.
After getting into our room, all three of freshened up, unpacked and then agreed on who will sleep where. Ivee and Judy were to sleep in the bedroom and I would sleep Japanese style on tatami (straw mat) in the 'lounge'.
