A beautiful view of our garden and fabulous breakfast to start the day…
Everything runs like clockwork – our preferred meal times were locked in when we arrived, and we were allocated the same table for dinner and breakfast on day 1, and then the same table for dinner and breakfast day 2. It’s actually quite odd to unexpectedly find yourself at the same table for a completely different meal, so each time Andrew and I swapped seats to get a different perspective. It was intriguing to watch every other couple or group stick to the same seats… it’s like people just become part of this well oiled machine.
Today’s breakfast was another feast for all senses… a silken tofu dish, some delicious sweet pickled vegetables, miso with tiny clams/ pippies, egg with mushrooms, fish cake, squid, sausage and a Saba fish with rice. At the end of the meal we had collected 12 dishes and 2 lids… I really pity the dishy in this place!
Yesterday was all about modes of transport, and today we stuck to one… on foot. I’d mapped out an adventure that involved a bag drop and run from Hakone-machi to a little tea house along the old highway out of town, then some sightseeing and domestic duties.
Our agility was tested straight away when we realised the highway wasn’t an ideal running route. In our search for something more appropriate we managed 3ks of hopscotch style prancing on these uneven cobbles before giving our ankles and brains a break by heading to the waterfront! The paths around Lake Ashi are beautiful, and looked so different to yesterday since the wind had picked up.
Onshi-Hakone park offered a quick lap of some gardens, views of Mt Fuji and a few (a lot of) stairs. Once again, my attention was drawn to the quirky signage. The map is based on the perspective of where you’re standing at the time and was weirdly disconcerting! I’d never really thought about the fact that maps in Australia tend to face North, or at least retain the same perspective in any given location.
The quirky signage extended to the Main Street of Hakonemachi. You know you’re in a geologically unstable part of the world when there are permanent signs in place for an earthquake. The safety evacuation area directed everyone to the waterfront – not sure if that was in the event of an earthquake, volcano, or just a meeting point to get people out. I have no idea what role the fish will play in the whole expedition!
Meanwhile, my fascination with plastic packaging and convenience foods continue. The soft serve ice cream is an innovative solution, and the chopped smoothie fruit in a cup is a great idea – ready to blend. The freshness, quality and range is so impressive.
The Old Tokaido Way is part of the original highway network and was the subject of some of the maps we saw in the Tokyo National Museum. It was built in the Edo period, connecting Tokyo and Kyoto, and Hakone provided an important checkpoint along the way. The section from Hakone to Hatajuku is some of the best preserved, with cobblestones underfoot and cedar trees providing shelter. It’s hilly and uneven, and hard to imagine how difficult it would have been to travel.
A couple of km along the highway, the Amazake Chaya has served travellers for 13 generations. Their special amazake is hot, sweet non-alcoholic rice wine – it’s a bit like a more liquid rice pudding, and perfect as the clouds started to roll in.
Back to Lake Ashi, and the Hakone Shrine. It dates back to the 8th century and was favoured and made famous by military commanders. It also attracted travellers who came to pray for a safe trip.
Hakone is also famous for the ‘Hakone Ekiden’, a relay marathon held each January. This one from Tokyo to Hakone and return is hotly contested by 20 university teams of 10 runners, who travel the 217km over 2 days. If one runner pulls out, the whole team is retired. Despite the intense pressure it sounds like a really cool event,
The reality of packing light is the need for frequent laundry visits – they’re just absorbed in the day, and often provide an opportunity to catch up on the blog. We’d incorporated a visit to ‘Laundry Happiness’ in our day as it seemed to be the only one for miles around. It deserves a mention… the promise of happiness was delivered in a clean and efficient package. Ahhh… love it when things work!
The weather turned cold and wet, and we were glad to be packed like sardines into our bus back to the hotel. A great day of literally running around!!!
love M and A xx
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