Owakudani

heehee.... Ultraman Victory was on TV while I was having breakfast in the hotel room~ Also, at that time, I happened to be texting T san regarding the Ultra Fest.

Owakudani was seriously one of the highlights of this trip. I really wanted to bring mum there as the area had been closed off to tourists for almost a year and it just opened back a few weeks before mum arrived.

While the rope way wasn't in operation the day before, it was finally in operation on the day that we were leaving. Luckily, we had light luggages with us.

The view was pretty~

For our trip back home, I had planned for us to make good use of our 3 day Odakyu pass. Hence, we changed to different mode of transportation many times that day.

Oooo....can't see a thing~

I remembered having these black eggs that were supposed to increase your life  for 7 years back in 2005. 

There's 5 in a bag~

No worries, the egg shell turned black due to a chemical reaction with sulphur, but the egg inside is completely normal.

Nyan~

Sulphur pits~

From there, we continued our journey on the ropeway.

From Souzan onwards, we took the cable car down the hill~

Then from Gora we transferred to the Hakone Tozan train back to Hakone-yumoto, where we transferred into a normal train to Odawara. From Odawara, we took another train back to Shinjuku! 

What a day!!!

Kazamatsuri

The next morning, we took the bus to Togendai Port, hoping to catch a ride on the cable car to Owakudani. Unfortunately, due to the bad weather and possible thunderstorms, the cable car was not in operation that day.

So we hopped onto the Hakone sightseeing cruise again.

It was a different cruise ship this time.

Once at Hakone-machiko, we changed to a bus for Kazamtsuri, which is an area famous for kamaboko.

This is the super machine in all buses that dispenses tickets, collets money and gives change!

We arrived at the Suzuhiro Kamaboko Museum which offers an interactive class where you can make Kamaboko.

All the kids concentrating hard on their kamaboko~

The grilling process~

Next, we headed to the Suzunari Market. 

Mum and aunt were especially happy with all the kamaboko on display that were free for all to try. We bought food one of the restaurant there.

 Their summer only special- which was an assortment of vegetables with kamaboko (1,200 yen) and a kaisen okonomi (720 yen). 

The kaisen okonomiyaki is my favourite~!!! Springy kamaboko!

After that we ordered desserts too.... We had a pumpkin gelato (380 yen) and a peach gelato (410 yen). I guess the peach one was slightly more expensive because it was in season during that time.

Lol~ and also some little red bean manjyus to try. These were good as they were filled with red bean paste!!

Apparently, Kazamatsuri is famous for their kamaboko because of their beautiful water which makes delicious kamaboko~

After that, we went on the Hakone Tozan Train~

We had to take a transfer.....

 .......before we arrive at Gotemba Outlet Mall.

From here, it was another direct bus back to the hotel~

Hakone Shrine

At Moto-Hakone Port

We walked towards the Hakone Shine

Nice~

So as usual, you wash your hands and mouth before entering the shrine to make your prayers. As this shrine is very powerful, after I made my prayers, I went and got myself an omikuji too. Really happy with the outcome, hopefully everything will come true.

This here is a popular tree for those who wants to have a child. Maybe I will revisit this tree again in the future when I have found a special someone.

Finally at the tori that we saw from the cruise

After that, we slowly walked back to the port again

Unfortunately, the last cruise had already left and our only option are buses.

Took a bus which took us to Hakone-Yumoto and the view is so pretty~

Maybe next time I will get a hotel in this area as it is nearer to most of the tourist attractions

Togendai View Restaurant

Togendai View Restaurant

Website: http://www.hakone-kankosen.co.jp/foreign/en/restaurant/togendaiview/index.html

Decided to grab early dinner as we waited for the next ride from Togendai Port to Moto-Hakone Port.

Aunt had the hot soba with tempura shrimp

I ordered the pork curry

Mum had the cold soba with tempura shrimp

Beautifully presented

We sat at the counter table which offers a nice view of Lake Ashi and you can actually see the cruise.

After that, we went on board the Hakone sightseeing cruise which is free again with the free pass.

I highly recommend the free pass to anyone who's travelling to Hakone as it really saves you a lot of money on transportation. We paid 5,640 yen each for a 3 day pass from Shinjuku.

Website: http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/

Hey there! You must be the Captain!

The cruise is free seating. You can opt to stand too....

As we leave the port~

Bye bye~ Togendai Port~

The weather was gloomy and cloudy most of the time we were in Hakone and hence, no Mount Fuji view for us!!!

The trees in Hakone are really beautiful~

It's amazing how beautiful nature is and how peaceful it makes you feel~

Another cruise passing by~

Here's we can see the tori of Hakone shrine

This is a popular picture spot for locals and tourists