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Well we've had a busy few days in Hakone so far. We're staying at the Hakone hotel which is in a great location right on the edge of lake Ashi looking out towards the mountains. On a clear day the hotel has a prime view of Mt Fuji but so far it's been too cloudy. The tops of the mountains have been covered in fog meaning no Fuji, nevertheless there's been plenty to do and we've been having a great time. We bought the Hakone free pass whilst in Tokyo which gives is unlimited free use of boats busses and cable cars in addition to free entry to a number of museums and gardens. Because we're on the edge of the lake, we're only a very short walk from where you can catch the sightseeing ships which take you across the lake to Togendai port. The ships that you catch are modelled on famous 16th century ships like HMS Victory and the Vasa and you're treated to fantastic views of the surrounding mountains on your journey across. 

Whilst here we've completed a loop starting from the hotel in Hakone Machi travelling across the lake by ship and up into the mountains by cable car. Up in the mountains was particularly cloudy on the first day with the cable cars seeming to disappear into the clouds. At the top of the mountain in Ōwakudani visibility was quite poor. The area is an active volcanic valley with sulphur vents and is well known for its black eggs which apparently add 7 years to your life so of course we bought 5 (followed by another 5 the next day).

We bought a few souvenirs before continuing the loop back down the mountain by funicular railway stopping at a at Goes Gyoen (garden) which was fantastic. We particularly enjoyed the glass craft shop and workshop which was giving demonstrations and appears to run classes. The loop finishes with a bus ride back to the hotel, though we stopped at Moto Hakone which is a port around the bay from the hotel for a few supplies from the seven eleven shop. We walked back on the first day discovering a park which lies between our hotel in Hakone Machi and Moto Hakone. Seemed worth a visit so we went back there today.

The park we had discovered and visited today Onshi Hakone park was fantastic. There were some great viewing points for looking at Mt Fuji which was sadly still missing in action (summer is the worst time to see Mt Fuji and statistically the most unlikely time to see it) There was also a range of topiary trees mossy pathways and huge stalks of Lillie's. To explore. The park was very quiet and seemed so etching of a hidden gem. We leave here for Kyoto tomorrow catching the bullet train from Odawara station it should only take about 2 hours and we can use our Japan Rail passes. Have a look at the photos, let us know what you think.

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UPDATE

On the day we were leaving we had the best table for breakfast overlooking the lake. Quite typically the weather was was looking much clearer and as we sat there eating breakfast, the clouds quite literally parted and there was Mt Fuji. Amazing, what a superb end to our time here!

Well we've just about finished our time in Tokyo before we head off tomorrow to Hakone (Hak-on-ey). We've had a pretty busy few of days trying to fit in as much as possible. On Saturday we went to the Tsukiji fish market which starts around 5 am if you want to see the fresh fish auction bug continues as markets selling fresh produce into late in the afternoon. There was a lot to see and we had s great time walking around, trying a few bits and bobs. From there we headed to the Royal palace gardens on the metro. You can see the palace surrounded by a sort of most and high on a hill connected by bridges. It looked quite splendid. We saw some of the gardens which were a bit of a walk away from the palace itself and stayed until closing. Feeling quite tired we went to a local Japanese restaurant that was only a few minutes from the hotel. We had to queue outside as there was only seating for about 8 people in doors but we're in soon enough. We both had the special which was a large pork and noodle dish. Very tasty but there was a lot of it and some of it managed to make a few blobs on my tshirt.

On Sunday we went to Asakusa to see the shrine and multi story pagoda that we had seen pictures of. Unfortunately the pagoda was closed for renovation and was completely covered. There was still however a great deal to look at as on the way to the shrine you walk through a corridor of small market stalls selling a variety of toys, clothes and souvenirs.

We spent quite a while there before heading on to Ueno park on the metro. Ueno park was vast again with lots to see including a Jazz band and a baseball match not to mention a number of shrines and a fairly spectacular multi storey pagoda.

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We stopped off at Starbucks in the park for a drink and a bite to eat before heading back via the palace for a few more photos as the sun wad setting and the Shibuya for another look at scramble junction. We finally got back to Shinjuku at about 9 and feeling quite hungry went for tea at a pizza place near the station. It was very nice. Got back to the hotel about 10 feeling very tired after our long day

Today was the last day in Tokyo and we had a big to sort out. The first stop was the station to change our Japan rail voucher into the actual tickets. We then sorted out the Hakone free pass and train tickets for the trip tomorrow. Around midday after dropping off the tickets back at the hotel, we decided to head for the Tokyo port. We went to a park close to the port. The park was really quiet and tranquil. There was a nice sea water lake fed directly from the sea with a number of bridges crossing it. There were also some traditional Japanese tea houses though we didn't go in. At the back of the park we caught a water bus which took us on a 45 minute trip back to Asakusa providing some fantastic views of the Tokyo skyline. Finished off the day with a curry before heading back to do a bit of packing. On to Hakone!

Today we bought ourselves metro passes from the BIC camera store. We decided to go for the 72 hour unlimited passes to prevent us having to mess about paying for individual tickets. The passes were 1500 yen each which isn't bad considering short journeys start at 170 yen each way. So with our newly bought passes in hand we set off to explore a little further afield starting with Shibuya which is about a 6 minute metro ride from the station. 

As you come out of the station at Shibuya, you immediately face a huge cross roads known as the Shibuya scramble. We went for a drink in the Starbucks which offers a prime view over the junction and spent some time watching as hundreds of people crossed the road at once. It wad racing a bit so everyone had umbrellas up and it was really quite a sight. Decided to come back later to see about some night shots before heading on to our next destination the Meiji Jingu shrine. On route we stopped off at Tokyo hands which is another huge store spanning 7 floors and selling a variety of home, craft and stationary items. It took a little walk up to the shrine entrance but the rain had given up and it had turned out nice.

As you enter the site of the shrine you pass under a huge wooden gate that towers above you. It's a pleasant walk round to the shrine but when we got there we were a little disappointed to find the gate house which is quite a focal point was under repair so totally clad in scaffolding. Had a wander nonetheless and watched as some prayers were under way with occasional gongs ringing out. On the way back out we stopped for a walk around d the gardens we which had a small entrance fee. They were very tranquil and whilst there encountered some very friendly birds that were landing on people passing through. We had some dinner in Shibuya before heading back to the hotel for a rest. Headed back out again later back to the busy junction for a few night shots.

Hope you like the pictures.

We arrived early afternoon yesterday and managed to get to the hotel relatively easily on the express train from the airport. The hotel let us check in early which was fantastic as we both fell asleep almost as soon as we had dropped our stuff in the room. The jet lag had caught up with us and we slept through until late in the afternoon. The room is nice and the hotel is pretty close to shopping, restaurants and transport which is great.

That makes today our first proper day. We had the included buffet breakfast in the hotel which was great before heading out. We had decided to visit one of the most popular attractions in Tokyo; the Shinjuku Gyoen national park. It was only a short walk from the hotel and we spent a few hours looking around. It split into a French formal garden an English landscape garden and a traditional Japanese garden. One of the more popular sights are the Japanese cherry trees which blossom during spring but it was nevertheless a great place to spend the day and a bargain costing about £3 for the both of us.

After the park we headed for a view at the Tokyo Government Building which allow you to go up to their observation towers, free of charge. The view was spectacular and you could see the vast sprawling landscape. On a clear day you can apparently see mount Fuji although it was a just a little too hazy to see that far today. It's cooled down a bit now but stayed pretty toasty so far at around 30 degrees, although I think it's about that at home at the moment too!

I've uploaded a few photos to the Tokyo album linked below. Let us know what you think.