posted by Traveller on Aug 3

After seeing all the skyscrapers in the city of Tokyo, it is time for me to relax back and enjoy some nature in Japan. One of the nearest lakeland and mountain area is the Hakone National Park. Hakone Park is located 90km west of Tokyo. As I did some research on Hakone National Park to see what are the popular Hakone sightseeing, I found out that there exist a well-established Hakone day trip tour, that comprises of rides on several trains, buses, funicular, cable and pirate ship cruise. In addition, at the Hakone National Park area, there are also onsen and art museums. But exactly how to get to Hakone? Well, this will depends whether how adventure you are? If you want to strike it out on your own, you can take the Bullet Train (Shinkansen), normal train (Romance Car), Express bus or drive yourself. However, if you want to free yourself from all navigations, just follow an organized day tour which I did.For simplicity, just follow the well-established traditional Hakone day trip route. You will start off at Hakone-Yumoto. Take the Hakone-Tozan train and enjoy the first part of the Hakone National Park. You can stop at the Chokoku-no-Mori Station and visit the near by Hakone Open-Air Museum. The next top is at Gora. Transfer to the Funicular Tram. This tram ride will take about only 10 minutes going up a steep slope to Sounzan. This is the start of the cable car that will cross Mount Soun. Click here to see more photos on Hakone National Park.

From Sounzan, take the Hakone ropeway (cable car) and you will cross the ‘boiling valley’. Stop at Owakudani and see the constant boiling valley formed by a volcanic eruption three thousand years ago. To experience the boiling, walk up the valley through the lava formations to the bubbling pools. Over there, they use the bubbling pools to boil eggs until they are black. It is said that if you eat one of the egg, you will live seven years longer. Believe it or not…. Well, I did not eat any! Click here to see more photos on Hakone National Park.

 

Next, you can either take the cable car or motor coach to the Togendai terminal where you will find yourself at the northern edge of Ashino-ko or Lake Ashi. Over here, you can do the ‘Pirate Ship’ cruise over Lake Ashi. From Togendai, the cruise will take about 30 minutes to reach Hakone-machi where the ‘Pirate Ship’ dock. Across the lake, you will spot the red color vermilion torii gate standing in the water. Click here to see more photos on Hakone National Park.

When you reach Hakon-machi, you can take a bus to Odawara to catch a motor coach or train back to Tokyo. When you reach Odawara station, you can pick up some sandwiches to eat before you make trip.

Hakone hotels can be found at Miyanoshita. You can check out the Fujiya Hotel and Motonamikan. Hakone hotels at Gora area to consider are Fuji-Hakone Guest House and Hakone Sengokuhara Youth Hostel. Check here to search some Hakone Hotels.

Well, do you think I like this Hakone day trip? I must say, certainly yes. It is a new experience for me to appreciate the Lakeland and mountain of Hakone National Park Japan. Finally, don’t forget, Click here to see more photos on Hakone National Park.