Sunday 8th June
- Today was my overnight stay in a ryokan in Hakone. I checked out after a quick breakfast and forwarded my luggage to Tokyo.
- I took the Shinkensen to Odawara, then changed for the local line to Hakone-Yumoto. Unfortuntely I started off badly as the wait at Starbucks Osaka at 8am on a Sunday morning was over 20 minutes! So I coulnd't have my morning caffine fix making me very grumpy for the rest of the day.
- After getting to Hakone I took a bus to the Amasake Tea House. I was very nervous about getting on the right bus but luckily there were other tourists going to the same place! After getting seated in a beautiful old room, I ordered their speciality amazake and mochi.
- When I fininished I hiked about 2 miles up the port. This started off with a very tough climb, then short descent. Near the top there's a small shrine which looks like it's not been touched for decades!
- Upon reaching the port I grabbed a quick ice cream and honey toast snack at Bakery and Table while I waited 20 minutes for the pirate ship. I upgraded to First Class which IMO was well worth it and I could get a seat at the front and go outside for spectacular views of the famous Torii gate.
- Tonight I'm staying at Ryuguden ryokan. It's a bit hard to get to as I was confused as to which bus to get at Togendai, as some buses don't have numbers
. Eventually I got on the correct one!
- I was nervous about staying here but at dinner I spotted a lot of foreign tourists and the staff speak excellent English. The room is nicely appointed but a bit worn around the edges. It does have amazing views of Mt Fuji today! During dinner the futon was made for me. I booked a room with a private onsen bath, but wierdly it's in a different room across the hall, so I have to get dressed, lock my room, walk across the corridor, open the private bath, then lock that behind me. Such a faff! The room as a grassy smell to it which I think is the tatami (maybe it's new?).
- The dinner was sevred at 6pm with a traditional kaiseki course meal. First, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. This was delicious!
- I had a wonderful nights sleep on the futon, the only issue being some of the small lights around the room which I couldn't tape over.
Miles walked = 4.3
Spending:
- Train Umeda - Shin-Osaka ¥240
- Bakery&Table curry pan ¥432
- Bakery&Table ice cream ¥540
- Pirate Ship 1st upgrade ¥700
Last edited by GodAtum; Jun 21, 2025 at 11:45 am