Quiet Relaxation

The beauties of Japan are found everywhere! The stunning skyscrapers, all lit up at night, the adorable children donning their school uniforms heading for the train station, the centuries-old cemeteries, to name a few. Then, on the outskirts of town there are the quiet towns like Hakone, Miyanoshita and Gora. These quaint towns were the next stop on our travels while Brent was in Tokyo. These are all towns surrounding the majestic Mt. Fuji! Although the mountain was a bit illusive and managed to stay hidden behind the deep cloud cover, we had an glorious time her shadow.

We arrived at our hotel, the very posh Fujiya -- a room gifted to us by Linda through some very valuable certificates -- and dropped off our luggage before beginning our exploration of the surrounding areas. We boarded a cablecar bound for Gora at Miyanoshita, but not before photographing the stunning hydrangea plants. So vibrant and lush!



Once in Gora we discovered a western-style garden/park which was Plan B, since the moss-covered Japanese Garden and Museum was closed that day. We barely missed the Japanese garden, however, once we explored the trails and hidden tea houses of the western garden, The water fountain, flower displays and the overgrown trails were beautiful.





Tired from our exploring and ready for some food, we stupidly thought we could find lunch back at the Fujiya. Everything on the menu was outrageously priced!! Since we were already seated ... even though severely underdressed ... we decided to order something anyway. We went with a garden tomato salad and bread ... for more than 2000 yen for both meals we got the smallest salad I think I've ever seen and a small selection of breads. Probably not the best choice, especially considering the fact that we were starving! Later that afternoon we stumbled across a bakery that also served a delicious beef stew in a bread bowl that really hit the spot! And only 600 yen!

Checking into our room was a treat. A dutiful Bell Hop escorted us to our room, indicating all the amenities -- outdoor pool, gardens, restaurants (haha), onsen/spa, museum, etc... Then we entered the room to find our luggage waiting for us. He offered a quick tour of the room and was off. The room was quite large, with a huge picture window looking out onto the green hills where the occasional cablecar would sputter by.



The twin beds looked so inviting, but one quick bounce proved that the Japanese prefer very, very firm mattresses! Not so comforting to aching muscles ... but I guess that was what the massages and onsen (natural hot springs bath house) were for! It didn't take us long to sign up for a foot reflexology therapy session and time in the onsen!

The bath houses, onsens being those with water from a natural spring and sentos being a city version where the water is heated by fuel, were a true cultural treat! Although some foreigners often wouldn't dream of exposing themselves (literally, ha!) to an onsen, they are truly missing out on a relaxing, completely Japanese experience.

(This sign is actually advertising an onsen on the Chuo Expressway on the way to Kyoto ... earlier in the trip ... but thought it appropriate for this post.)



Hoping to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji, we took the cablecar up to the ropeway where we boarded a gondola and floated through the clouds on the mountain opposite Fuji. But the clouds were so thick we could barely see the vegetation surrounding us, let alone get a peek at Fuji. We also passed over an area called Hell's Valley ... a sulphur mine that also has an onsen further up the mountain. At the top we shopped our way through the souvenir stores and found some lunch ... Ebi Tendon -- breaded shrimp on rice -- with Miso Soup. Quite tasty. Then back down the mountain and to the hotel to collect our luggage for the journey home.



Enjoying the onsen so much, before leaving Hakone, we found another Onsen/Begonia Garden. After wandering through the vibrant collection of colorful flowers -- more than just begonias -- we entered the onsen. Unlike the Fujiya, this onsen had both indoor and outdoor pools! Even though it was so hot and humid outside, I particularly enjoyed the outdoor pools! The heat of the water, however, makes it awfully difficult to soak longer than 15 minutes or so. The pools were surrounded by lava rocks and the brilliant green of the gardens. I couldn't help but wonder how amazing it would be to soak outside during the frosty winter months! The onsen was a wonderful, relaxing way to end our Hakone/Mt. Fuji experience.