Mon 22 Tokyo / Hakone

 Hakone Yumoto, ropeway, accommodation

Left our apartment in Tokyo early to catch the 7:37am Romance Car train from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yamoto.  Hakone (箱根) is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than one hundred kilometers from Tokyo. Famous for hot sprints, natural beauty and the view across Lake Ashinoko of nearby Mount Fuji, Hakone is one of the most popular destinations among Japanese and international tourists looking for a break from Tokyo.

We had 3 day Hakone passes that included a range of transport options including ropeway, train, bus and boat.  Our day started with a stroll around the town of Hakone Yumoto and then on to our accommodation to dump the bags then a hike up some seriously steep stairs to the nearby town of Gora.  

From here we jumped on a cable car and then a ropeway to get to the active volcanic zone of Owakudani full of sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers.  

It was then a backtrack to our accommodation for our obligatory game of 5 crowns, a 7- Eleven dinner and a relaxing onsen before grabbing an early night.