Travelogue
Japan 2015 Part IV
18:49Finally on part IV *phew* One last part to go! Great job sy. Thank you everyone who spend their time to read this travelogue. *bow* 谢谢您的捧场. Part IV will be covering on Day 12 to Day 14 in Tokyo.
Day 12: 26 March 2015
We started our day super early because we were heading out to Hakone! Hakone (箱根) is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo. They are famous for hot springs, natural beauty and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji. We took Odakyu Railway from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station with the Hakone Free Pass (around 5,000 YEN). The whole journey was around 2 hours, and requires one transfer at Odawara Station. After finished our bento, we slept all the way to Odawara Station.
We took a bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station to Moto-Hakone which is a 35 minute bus ride by Hakone Tozan Bus by bus line H (4-5 buses per hour, covered by the Hakone Free Pass), to explore Hakone Shrine then to take Hakone Sightseeing Boat. Hakone Shrine is five minute walk away from the Moto-Hakone boat pier. The shrine buildings are hidden in the dense forest, but are well advertised by its huge torii gates, one standing prominently in the lake and two others over the main street of Moto-Hakone. (fyi I googled the above information so all information written here are accurate. For more you can visit here.)
Me with the Torii Gate
We were late to board the boat at Moto-Hakone then we fast-walked to Hakonemachi-ko to take the boat. This beautiful lake in the photo is Lake Ashinoko which we can see Mount Fuji when the weather is clear. Guess we were very lucky to have this magnificent view. Visibility tends to be better during the colder seasons of the year than in summer, and in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
It can't comprehend the real beauty of Mount Fuji
From Togendai, we took Hakone Ropeway (covered by Hakone Free Pass) to Owakudani. Owakudani is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced. Additionally, Owakudani has good views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Also, please check the condition before heading to Hakone because right now (13 November 2015), Owakudani is closed due to increased volcanic activity in the area.
A short walking trail (about ten minutes one way) leads from the ropeway station into the volcanic zone to a number of steam vents and bubbling pools. Here they sell eggs cooked in the naturally hot water, whose shells are blackened by the sulfur and which are said to prolong one's life by seven years.
I ate 3 of them, extra 21 years
This is how they transport the eggs to the shops
Did you see the Mount Fuji behind me?
We rushed over to Gotemba Premium Outlets located in Gotemba City at the base of Mount Fuji, not far from Hakone. This Premium Outlets is Japan's most popular outlet mall, featuring over 200 stores. I left my favourite Snidel bag there. Sigh I should have bought it. It was selling for SGD 60 which is super cheap for Japan brand. ):
We took Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus back to Shinjuku Station as the last train left before we could reach there. The one way journey costs about 2000 yen and under good traffic conditions takes about two hours. We reached Shinjuku around 10pm and we headed to Gyu-kaku 牛角 at Shibuya (omg they are available in Singapore too) for dinner. They offer Wagyu Beef but people like me will never know how to appreciate it. With fulfilling dinner, we went back to sleep. Anyway if you have the time, please visit Hakone!
Day 13: 27 March 2015
Last two days in Japan we spent it to cycle to explore Tokyo. We wanted to go Ueno Zoo but it was closed for the day so we walked around Ueno Park to see Cherry Blossom. It is cheap and convenience to cycle in Tokyo. What I love about their bicycles is that they have lock on the wheels which save us a lot hassle from putting the ugly chain into the wheel then to bicycle and cycling with an ugly lock in the basket (you know what I mean). People should bring them into Singapore to free my eyes from the ugly lock. I didn't took many photos because I am suck at cycling with one hand so I have to stop at the roadside, balancing my bicycle with my two legs and take a photo therefore please appreciate all the photos below. Hahaha
I really love how the half boiled egg complement with the tempura. Please go try it! Singapore should have this too.
We cycled to the tallest building in Japan, Tokyo Skytree but we refused to pay $20 to go up.
"Should we go up?"
"No lah go up for what? Go up see ants still need to pay $20" #auntymode
After returning the bike, we headed to Fu unji ramen 風雲児 also known as Best Ramen 2013 at Shinjuku but we were so disappointed. 45 minutes of queuing totally not worth. They are right about 2013, in 2015 they weren't the best ramen anymore. Okay that is mean. Maybe the ramen is not to my liking. I still prefer Ichiran or Ippudo.
Day 14: 28 March 2015
Our last day in Japan, we went shopping at Shibuya and Takeshita Street. We walked along the Shibuya street where Jon bought his Onitsuka Tiger sneaker while I roaming around Forever 21 and Disney because everything in Japan is expensive. Trust me, international brands are cheaper than their local brands. Their street label tops are priced around SGD 100 can you believe that?
Takeshita Street is one of the popular tourists destination in Tokyo, selling a lot of beautiful clothing, accessories and yummy food. If there is one dessert you have to eat in Japan, that will be crepes. Their crepes are sooooooo delicious with tons of toppings such as fruits, chocolate and even cheesecakes.
I can eat this forever.
My strawberry crepes with chocolate cake
I almost buy all of them back.
For the rest of the day, we spent it on eating, chasing for bus and plane and do our last minutes shopping at Shisui Premium Outlet located at 10 minutes drive from Narita Airport. Bring me back to Gotemba Premium Outlet where I can buy my Snidel handbag )': There are shuttle bus available from JR Tokyo Station to Shisui Premium Outlet. Please check the bus schedule and be early for the bus as it will leave on dot.
This pretty much sum up my fun-filling 14 days in Japan. Sorry for taking so long to write this travelogue and thank you Jon for planning this long trip and tolerating me. Japan is a very beautiful place, and everyone should go Japan at least once in the lifetime. I am planning to go Okinawa in 2017 but it has to depend on my financial situation hahahahaha. Come back here and read other stories okay? Till then.
Read other parts here
Day 12: 26 March 2015
We started our day super early because we were heading out to Hakone! Hakone (箱根) is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo. They are famous for hot springs, natural beauty and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji. We took Odakyu Railway from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station with the Hakone Free Pass (around 5,000 YEN). The whole journey was around 2 hours, and requires one transfer at Odawara Station. After finished our bento, we slept all the way to Odawara Station.
We took a bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station to Moto-Hakone which is a 35 minute bus ride by Hakone Tozan Bus by bus line H (4-5 buses per hour, covered by the Hakone Free Pass), to explore Hakone Shrine then to take Hakone Sightseeing Boat. Hakone Shrine is five minute walk away from the Moto-Hakone boat pier. The shrine buildings are hidden in the dense forest, but are well advertised by its huge torii gates, one standing prominently in the lake and two others over the main street of Moto-Hakone. (fyi I googled the above information so all information written here are accurate. For more you can visit here.)
Me with the Torii Gate
We were late to board the boat at Moto-Hakone then we fast-walked to Hakonemachi-ko to take the boat. This beautiful lake in the photo is Lake Ashinoko which we can see Mount Fuji when the weather is clear. Guess we were very lucky to have this magnificent view. Visibility tends to be better during the colder seasons of the year than in summer, and in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
It can't comprehend the real beauty of Mount Fuji
From Togendai, we took Hakone Ropeway (covered by Hakone Free Pass) to Owakudani. Owakudani is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced. Additionally, Owakudani has good views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Also, please check the condition before heading to Hakone because right now (13 November 2015), Owakudani is closed due to increased volcanic activity in the area.
A short walking trail (about ten minutes one way) leads from the ropeway station into the volcanic zone to a number of steam vents and bubbling pools. Here they sell eggs cooked in the naturally hot water, whose shells are blackened by the sulfur and which are said to prolong one's life by seven years.
I ate 3 of them, extra 21 years
This is how they transport the eggs to the shops
Did you see the Mount Fuji behind me?
We rushed over to Gotemba Premium Outlets located in Gotemba City at the base of Mount Fuji, not far from Hakone. This Premium Outlets is Japan's most popular outlet mall, featuring over 200 stores. I left my favourite Snidel bag there. Sigh I should have bought it. It was selling for SGD 60 which is super cheap for Japan brand. ):
We took Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus back to Shinjuku Station as the last train left before we could reach there. The one way journey costs about 2000 yen and under good traffic conditions takes about two hours. We reached Shinjuku around 10pm and we headed to Gyu-kaku 牛角 at Shibuya (omg they are available in Singapore too) for dinner. They offer Wagyu Beef but people like me will never know how to appreciate it. With fulfilling dinner, we went back to sleep. Anyway if you have the time, please visit Hakone!
Day 13: 27 March 2015
Last two days in Japan we spent it to cycle to explore Tokyo. We wanted to go Ueno Zoo but it was closed for the day so we walked around Ueno Park to see Cherry Blossom. It is cheap and convenience to cycle in Tokyo. What I love about their bicycles is that they have lock on the wheels which save us a lot hassle from putting the ugly chain into the wheel then to bicycle and cycling with an ugly lock in the basket (you know what I mean). People should bring them into Singapore to free my eyes from the ugly lock. I didn't took many photos because I am suck at cycling with one hand so I have to stop at the roadside, balancing my bicycle with my two legs and take a photo therefore please appreciate all the photos below. Hahaha
I really love how the half boiled egg complement with the tempura. Please go try it! Singapore should have this too.
We cycled to the tallest building in Japan, Tokyo Skytree but we refused to pay $20 to go up.
"Should we go up?"
"No lah go up for what? Go up see ants still need to pay $20" #auntymode
After returning the bike, we headed to Fu unji ramen 風雲児 also known as Best Ramen 2013 at Shinjuku but we were so disappointed. 45 minutes of queuing totally not worth. They are right about 2013, in 2015 they weren't the best ramen anymore. Okay that is mean. Maybe the ramen is not to my liking. I still prefer Ichiran or Ippudo.
Day 14: 28 March 2015
Our last day in Japan, we went shopping at Shibuya and Takeshita Street. We walked along the Shibuya street where Jon bought his Onitsuka Tiger sneaker while I roaming around Forever 21 and Disney because everything in Japan is expensive. Trust me, international brands are cheaper than their local brands. Their street label tops are priced around SGD 100 can you believe that?
Takeshita Street is one of the popular tourists destination in Tokyo, selling a lot of beautiful clothing, accessories and yummy food. If there is one dessert you have to eat in Japan, that will be crepes. Their crepes are sooooooo delicious with tons of toppings such as fruits, chocolate and even cheesecakes.
I can eat this forever.
My strawberry crepes with chocolate cake
I almost buy all of them back.
For the rest of the day, we spent it on eating, chasing for bus and plane and do our last minutes shopping at Shisui Premium Outlet located at 10 minutes drive from Narita Airport. Bring me back to Gotemba Premium Outlet where I can buy my Snidel handbag )': There are shuttle bus available from JR Tokyo Station to Shisui Premium Outlet. Please check the bus schedule and be early for the bus as it will leave on dot.
This pretty much sum up my fun-filling 14 days in Japan. Sorry for taking so long to write this travelogue and thank you Jon for planning this long trip and tolerating me. Japan is a very beautiful place, and everyone should go Japan at least once in the lifetime. I am planning to go Okinawa in 2017 but it has to depend on my financial situation hahahahaha. Come back here and read other stories okay? Till then.
Read other parts here
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