Life's Little Pleasures....and those that are not.: Japan Day 8 - Free&Easy

*Photo intensive post*

If you think the past posts were photo intensive, wait till you see this post..haha..

Hakone was one of the places in Japan that I had wanted to visit on this trip.

People advised that I should spend at least 1 night there but due to time constraints, I could only make it a day trip.

Armed with the Hakone Free Pass, waking up at 6:45am we made it for the 7:58am train to Hakone-Yumoto station on the Odakyu Railway.

Hakone Free Pass can be purchased at the Odakyu Railway at Shinjuku Station for 5,000 Yen.

The free pass is valid for 2 days with only 1 return trip on the Odakyu line and unlimited rides within Hakone itself.

We took the normal express Odakyu train and not the romance car (which costs more).

The whole journey took about 2 hours on the express train so we arrived at Hakone-Yumoto at around 10am.

Next, we took the Hakone Tozan Railway (covered in the Hakone Pass) to Gora.

I think all the transportation (railway and bus are timed to leave when the other arrives) so once we got off at Hakone Yumoto station, the cable car was already waiting to leave.

Does this looks like a postcard?

Next, to change to the Ropeway at Souzan.

Think there are lots of China visitors so there's a LNY message in every car.

It wasn't misty outside but snowing.

Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, it's one of the most popular destination not only amongst tourist but also among locals.

We arrive at Owakudani.

Owakudani is the area around a crater created during the last eruption of Mount Hakone some 3000 years ago. Today, much of the area is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced.

We can't even see the ropeway station from the bottom of the stairs.

That's how heavy the snow was.

A short walking trail up the stairs leads from the ropeway station into the volcanic zone to a number of steam vents and bubbling pools.

That's the bubbling pool with steam behind us.

Maybe it was really cold (or my nose wasn't working) some of the tourists mentioned that the sulphur smell up there was unbearable. I didn't really find it that bad..

These eggs that can be bought at the top of the trail or at shops near the ropeway are cooked in the hot water from the volcano. They are very hot when they are sold.

Their shells are blackened by the sulphur which are said to prolong one's life by seven years.

One packet has 5 eggs. Yong and I had 2 and a half each. The other 2 was given to 2 Jap ladies who helped us take a photo. They were elated!

There's no special taste to it but the after taste, you could taste the sulphur in your mouth.

Walking back to the ropeway.

We saw this gorgeous spot and starting self snapping.

This Jap uncle walked past and offered to take for us.

So nice of these Jap people.

They are also really polite and helpful.

I asked Yong if this happen in SG will he help, he said he will but than again, how often do we go tourist attractions in Singapore lei?

This is a bald spot with no snow cause there's steam rising from the ground.

Probably means that its a hot spot lor...

Since Owakudani is famous for its black eggs - there's hello kitty in the shape of the black egg!

Really cute so I bought a charm for Ami, Michelle and myself!

Heading down on the ropeway to Lake Ashi.

Lake Ashi (Japanese: Ashinoko) was formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after the volcano's last eruption 3000 years ago.

Waiting to board the Hakone Sightseeing Boat at Togendai.

We didn't venture out as it was really, really cold.

Sat indoor for the 45 minute ride.

We met this old Japanese lady who was wearing a kimono.

Initially, she had her backside in my face as she was packing her bag.

When she turned around, she apologised profusely.

As the boat started it's journey, she was pointing out and explaining to us the places in Japanese.

She even offered us rice crackers.

When we were done, she collected back the plastic wrapper to help us dispose.

After that, she took out a can of sweets and offered it to us again.

When the boat reached Hakonemachi, she stood up and said 'Goodbye'.

We stole a photo of her from the back.

Then when we alighted, I ran up and asked her to take a photo with me.

She also took out her instant camera and wanted to take for Yong and me.

After that she took out a piece of paper and asked me to write something.

When I finally comprehend the words 寄信 - she was asking me for my address to send the photo to me.

In turn, I got her address and will be sending this photo to her.

Moving on, we walked to Moto-Hakone as I wanted to see some sights found between the 2 ports.

First up, Old Tokaido and Hakone Checkpoint.

Hakone used to be an important checkpoint to control traffic along the Tokaido, the highway which linked Tokyo with Kyoto during the feudal Edo Period.

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 a lookout tower. The Hakone Sekisho Shiryokan, a small museum with various related exhibits, stands nearby.

I had a vast interest in the history of Japan during the Edo period.

They were ruled by the Tokugawas who was managed to stay in power for hundred of years.

At the gates of the Hakone Checkpoint.

The exhibits showed the life of the officials living at the checkpoint.

It also explained how the checkpoint worked in the olden days.

Walking on the trail to museum which depicted details in the Edo period.

It showcased many exhibits depicting the feudal period and how people lived.

They did not allowed any photographing in the museum so no photos there.

I've used my imagination for past books so it was really an eye opener for me to see these relics.

For those not really interested in such historical moments, you can give this a miss.

It was really snowing and everything was white so we kinda missed the detached palace.

I've read that it was a great place to see Mt Fuji.

Since it was so foggy, I doubt we'll see it so we decided to pass it.

Old Tokaido with Cedar trees lining the walkway.

As mentioned, Hakone was part of the old highway for travelling into Tokyo.

To make travelling more comfortable, Cedar trees were asked to be planted so as to give shelter for travellers.

It was really like Winter Sonata there.

Hahaha..I turned into a small kid playing with snow and kicking around.

It was just so beautiful there.

Seriously my photos are not doing the place justice!!!!

Reached Moto-Hakone!

See the buses behind?

We were supposed to take the express bus but we took the normal bus.

So I missed Amazake Chaya, a tea house serving amazake (hot, sweet rice wine) and also the Tokaido Museum, a small museum which features life size reconstructions explaining the purpose of and life along the long road to Tokyo.

Well, next time than.