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Japan: Ōwakudani sulphur springs, views of Mt. Fuji — and last night in Tokyo

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Aug 11, 2016
/
Japan, Travel

Date: 31 March 2015

After a very relaxing bath at the Hotel Green Plaza onsen, I moved on to my next stop — the host springs of Ōwakudani. But these hot springs are not safe to soak yourself in due to high sulphur content.

Lake Ashi from Hakone ropeway — Lake Ashi, from the ropeway

Hakone ropeway Owakudani station — Ōwakudani station was the very next stop

Owakudani mountain Hakone Japan — This was the view from the ropeway station

Owakudani sulfur wells Hakone — There is a lot of volcanic activity deep underground

Steam production well Owakudani Hakone — But they are making the most of it

Owakudani trekking trail Hakone — This was a hiking trail

Owakudani hiking trail Hakone mountain — But I did not venture far as I saw no one trekking… plus I had no time for trekking

Owakudani natural hot springs Hakone — So I walked towards the hot springs

Qwakudani mountain height Hakone — 1050 metres above sea level

Owakudani sulphur warnings Hakone — The sulfur content is too high so there were signs asking people not to touch the water

Owakudani hot springs Hakone — Before walking towards the sulphur springs, I went inside the building housing the restaurants and souvenir shops

Black egg Owakudani Hakone Japan — I was curious to find out the significance of this black egg was

Black eggs Owakudani Hakone — Inside, you can buy eggs. You take the egg and boil it in the sulphur-rich water and the shell turns black it seems.

Owakudani sulphur hot springs Hakone — You could feel the heat as you got near to the sulphur pools… and you could smell it too!

Mount Fuji viewing point Japan — The other reason why Owakudani is a popular draw is for the viewpoint

Mount Fuji from Owakudani Japan — A view of Mount Fuji being the main draw, of course

Planes flying over Mount Fuji peak Japan — I swapped lenses to catch these two airplanes flying over Mt. Fuji

Man photographing Mt. Fuji Japan — Unfortunately, from this distance, you can’t really get a good photo of yourself with Fuji-yama in the background especially with clouds in the way

One thing I have experienced time and time again on my travels is that, when fellow tourists see me with a DSLR, they assume that I’m better at them at photography and ask me to take their photos using their cameras. I oblige sometimes but the problem is, when one reacts positively and compliments me for taking a good photo, then other tourists hear that and approach me with the same request. This went on for a while here. Continue reading “Japan: Ōwakudani sulphur springs, views of Mt. Fuji — and last night in Tokyo” »

Japan: Hakone ropeway; onsen at Hotel Green Plaza

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Jul 21, 2016
/
Japan, Travel

Date: 31 March 2015

After the cruise across Lake Ashi on a pirate-themed ship, next I was going to take the Hakone Ropeway (cable car) to get to Ubako Station.

Hakone Ropeway Togendaiko station Japan — The ropeway is one of Hakone’s main attractions

Hakone Ropeway queue Japan — The Hakone Pass I was holding covered the ticket fares for the ropeway

If you would like to know how much the one-way and round trip fares for Hakone Ropeway are, click here.

Cable car Hakone ropeway Japan — This would be be my 3rd cable car experience, after Langkawi and Hong Kong

Inside cable car Hakone Ropeway Japan — It’s definitely not as impressive an experience as the one in Langkawi or Lantau Island (Hong Kong), but I guess maybe it’s because the ‘wow factor’ has been lessened after being on other cable car rides now

Hakone ropeway cable car Japan — The views are alright

Views from Hakone ropeway Japan — You get decent views of Mount Fuji along the way up

Hakone machi ropeway tower station — My stop was the very next one

Green Plaza Hotel Fuji view Japan — I walked to Hotel Green Plaza which is very close to Ubako Station

The lady who sold me her half-used Hakone pass recommended the onsen at Hotel Green Plaza, for its splendid views of Mount Fuji as you bathe in the hot springs. Continue reading “Japan: Hakone ropeway; onsen at Hotel Green Plaza” »

Japan: Getting to Hakone; Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Jul 05, 2016
/
Japan, Travel

Date: 31 March 2015

The second to last day on Japan soil. I had to make the most of it and accomplish a few more things. Experience a proper, natural outdoor onsen (hot spring), see Mount Fuji from closer up, — and eat sushi at a proper sushi restaurant.

Today I was going to be spending the whole day at Hakone, a popular getaway for Tokyo’s residents. Famous for offering great views of Mount Fuji, many hiking trails, resorts and many natural hot springs.

Yesterday, I bought a Hakone pass off a hostel mate who had purchased a two-day pass but only used the benefits of the pass yesterday. I could make use of the pass to avail buses and local trains within Hakone today. But first I had to get to Hakone from Tokyo station.

Tokyo station Odawara platforms — At Tokyo station, platforms 9 and 10 have trains going to Odawara (Tokaido Line)

Tokaido line Okachimachi eki Japan — I forget exactly which stations I had to get down at and transfer trains, but eventually I had to stick to the Tokaido line to get to Odawara station

View from train to Odawara — It was time leave the urban sights of Tokyo

Shinagawa station platform Japan — I think this was Shinagawa station, the second station I had to switch trains from

Odawara station Japan — It took just over an hour because of all the transfers

Bus depot Odawara station Japan — But from Odawara station, I now had to take a bus to get to the docks at Lake Ashi from where the sightseeing cruise departs

Odawara river stream Japan — You could see right away why city-dwellers come here

Continue reading “Japan: Getting to Hakone; Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise” »