Japan - Hakone

The next stop was Hakone. 

Day 1

Hakone welcomed us with even more rain - more then we expected. Right, and we had to take a public transportation into the heart of the district. So completely wet first we took the train, and then the bus, and then over the mountains into the valley. (Somehow google maps denied the existents of buses and suggested the more exotic route to the hotel, included 2 cable cards, 1 tram, 2 trans and about 30 min of walking) 

Completely tired (try to sit in a crowded bus with 3 kids and have all your luggage there at the same time), we have arrive at the hotel. 

So upon arrives, the girls hit the gym... NOOOO! The girls hit the hot springs. Oh, yes

So an onset is a term for hot springs. As being close to volcanically active place, we had the hot springs right in our hotel. There are both outdoors and indoors baths. They are a major attraction in Japan drawing thousands of people who want to get away form the hectic life and relax. In Japanese these baths more often called "naked communion" for breaking down barrios and getting to know people in the relaxes homey atmosphere. Traditionally, men and women bathed together at the onset but gender separation has been enforced since the opening of Japan to the West. And another interesting details about many onset bath is the people with tattoos, even when tattoos are small and "peaceful" are banned from using the baths. In Japan the tattoos are connected with a badge of criminality and despite of your reasons, the rules are the rules, strictly enforced against all.

So why the boys were doing... God knows what.... the girls hit the baths. Hot springs, sauna, lotions, cremes, and finally, we were ready for dinner.

While finding a suitable place just next to our hotel, we were ready for the next treat. 

We ended up to have a treat of waguy (literally "Japanese cow"). The meat from such waguy cattle is know for its quality, and demands a high price. Le me explain you something, because of Japan's isolated areas, different breeding and seeing techniques were used such as massaging (yes, you heard me right) and adding beer (yes, guys) or sake to their feeing regimen. This was done to aid in digestion and induce hunger during humid seasons, but it appears to have no effect on the meat's flavour. Massaging have been introduced to prevent muscles crampon on small farms in Japan where the animals did not have sufficient room to use their muscles. 

I must admit, the best meat I have tried. Could be my cattle was massaged more then usual, could be the effect of the spring baths but we all went to bed happier then ever. 

Day 2

Even more rain. Oh dear, right, we are from Denmark, we will not melt. So off we go, with 3 children again.                                             Luckily our hotel was pretty close to Lake Ashi, or Hakone Lake. It is a scrater lake that lies along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mt Hakone.  Several boats, designed to be sailing warships provide with a beautiful view of the surrounding. However, I believe marketing hasn't been the strongest in this part of the world. We all know that naming a boat "Titanic" probably the most wisest idea. So how about naming one of the ships "Vasa", you know after a Swedish warship build in 1626 and foundered and sank after sailing less than a nautical mile (1.5 km) into her maiden voyage on August 10th, 1628? 

Anyway at least during our sailing trip none bothered anyone with the safety instructions, so we could enjoy the scenery, a bit grey and foggy at times, but in the dry conditions. 

 Finishing with the ship we decided to try out the suggested route of Google maps and took a trip on the Hakone Ropeway to the Great boiling Valley, and then slowing going down with Hakone Tozan Cable Car funicular railway. I can only imagine us with 3 bags, a stroller and 3 kids on that route to the hotel... (I don't say it is not possible but I am grateful that Morten was able to find an alternative route) 

And then.... right in the mountains... the discovery of the trip...

HOT CAFFE LATTE AND FRENCH HOT-DOG! 

If you don't live in North America, you will not understand me. French hot-dog, that crunchy pork (yes, non-kosher) hot-dog. It just felt right, after the whole day when it was raining cats and dogs we got us a treat. 

Day 3

We woke up with the sunshine and right out of our window there is was...

Mt. Fuji - the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776.24 m (12,389 ft) and it is an active stratovolcano. It has exceptionally symmetrical cone. It is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is more a "sculptural" rather than a "natural" heritage site. And then you thing, wait a minute, where is the snow? Well... We asked ourselves the same question. The snow is there, but only several months a year, so the pictures we see on numerous postcards and calendars is there just not in October month. 

 The lake and the surrounding looked much more picturesque then the day before.

And now it was a time to visit the Great boiling Valley. Owakudani is a volcanic valley with active sulphur vents (smells like rotten eggs) and hot springs in Hakone. The smoke that you can see are not, as one our friends thought, clouds but volcanic activity. 

The boiled eggs turn black and smell slightly sulphuric but taste as a regular egg. Consuming the efts is said to increase longevity. Eating one, according to Japanese legend, is said to add seven (7!) years of your life (the children were informed about the circumstances of this meal). One may eat up to 2 and a half for up to 17 and a half years (YES!!!!) but earring a whole third is said to be highly unadvised.

So insuring that we will be around additional 17 and a half years, and at the same time deducting those years by breathing the "lovely" sulphur, which quickly deadens the sense of smell and with increasing quantities can quickly lead to death...

We enjoyed to the full the scenic views of the valley, lake and mount Fuji.