Went downtown Hakone Yumoto after check-out to store our luggage so we can go sightseeing at ease. The process of storing the luggage was hilarious yet frustrating. It seemed to me that they ppl there cannot speak English at all. Us on the other hand has absolutely zero Japanese vocabulary. So the whole thing became a mass charade session.
Shoppin downtown for goodies is fun. The packaging are really amazing. They have samples on the goods sold as well. Making it easier to choose what to buy. We found another addiction the sour Japanese plum. My mouth is watering thinking bout it now.
Taking the train up to the Gora Station has to be one of the worst ride in my life. The train is slow, old and stuffy! Should have just took the dizzy bus. At least I can sit and it has better air circulation. The moment we reach Gora I was so relieved. The ride on the funicular up the mountain was alright. We were surrounded by trees so there is really nothing to be seen. When we finally arrived at the cable car station, the sunny weather suddenly became all gloomy and windy. Becos of this my hope of taking a pic of the Mount Fuji with me in it was dashed. Guess I'll jsut have to come back in the future. Lol.
The cable car ride to Owakudani was kinda scary. The wind was blowing so strong that our car is swaying side to side. There was this gal whu is so scared that she was frozen. :p The view from the cable car was quite good though.
It was so cold at Owakudani. Not only it has high elevation but also due to the thick thick fog plus the ever strong blowing wind. All photos were taking in super lightning speed while we were tryin to run into buildings for shelters. Lol.
Contemplated very long before deciding to buy the black egg. It is so expensive like a dollar for an egg. But they say eating it will make one live longer. Of course I don't believe in it. Haha. No wonder the call Owakudani sulfur valley the smell is so strong that I bet one can smell it miles away. *Overstatement, oops*
There is supposed to be a Mount Fuji vantage point here. Thanks to those fog all I could see is errrr fogs? Lol. We took the cable car down to Lake Ashi next. Boarded the pirate ship sightseeing cruise around the lake. Pretty cheesy design. They should have make it more Japanese instead. Took some photos at the town where the boat docked while waiting for the bus to take us back to Hakone Yumoto.
I wanted to get back to Tokyo so badly that time. We paid the extra surcharge this time around to get a better train. No more uncomfortable seats. Yeah! Slept all the way back. Upon reaching the hotel for check-in, we were told that they have to change out room as the one we were assigned to need to be fixed. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The room was 1.5 times bigger than our initial room. And of course no more supra tiny toilet! Happy!!!!!
We only explored round Shinjuku that night for more food and shopping before heading off to bed. Guess I still luv the city better. Hehe.
