December 31, 2006

Trip to Hakone & Mt. Fuji


It was the first day of the new year holidays and we decided to go to Hakone, a beautiful place about 1.5 hrs by train ride from Tokyo. The climate on the day (30th Dec 2006) was perfect, our moods were on high and we looked forward to an exciting day and this is just what we got to experience; i would call it as our most memorable trip til date. The events throughout the day follow.......


6:10 am - We got out out of our cozy beds, brushed and bathed and got ready

7:20 am - 10 min taxi ride to Nishi-kasai station (660 Yen)

7:35 am - 30 min train ride to takadano baba station (230 Yen)

8:10 am - 5 min train ride to Shinjuku station (130 Yen)

8:25 am - boarded the "Romance Car" train for Hakone. Journey took about 90 min to reach Hakone Yumoto station (5,500 Yen free pass + 1000 Yen express ticket that is valid for 3 days unlimited travel)

10:15 am - reached hakone yumoto, had breakfast (sandwhiches, apple pie and cake about 1500 Yen) and took a train to go to "Gora"

11:00 am - cable car ride to go to Souzan

11:30 am - 15 min rope way ride from Souzan (provides fantastic view of Fuji and the surrounding landscape and hot springs)

12:10 pm - time to relax and get a taste of eggs boiled in hot spring water! the taste is no different from a ordinary boiled egg only thing is the egg cover is black in color, it is believed that eating such eggs will increase ones life by 7 years!

2:10 pm- boarder 20 min bus to reach "Ashi" Lake

2:45 pm - boarded a 30 min cruise to go to Hakone- moto machi

3:35 pm- had lunch! at a cafe (shrimp piraff, pizza abt 2200 Yen)

4:10 pm - 40 min bus ride to hakone yumoto

5:20 pm - boarded "Romance Car" train to return to Shinjuku

6:45 pm - Arrived at Shinjuku and took Yamanote line to go to Yurakucho (190 Yen)

7:45 pm - Dinner at a Thai restaurant in Bic Camera building (the soup was fantastic, the yellow curry was delicious though a bit sweet, total aout 4000 Yen)

8:30 pm - took a 10 min taxi ride to Kayabacho (the taxi driver lost his way in between and we decided to get down at Monzen-Nakacho, he charged us only 660 Yen instead of 1300 Yen!)

8:45 pm- 10 min train ride back to Nishi-kasai (160 Yen)

9:00 pm - 5 min taxi ride back to our SWEET HOME! (660 Yen)


The whole day was filled with fun, enjoyment, excitement, and content in all aspects and would reamin as an unforgettable trip for many many years to come.







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