Yesterday's weather gave way to a glorious spring day for our visit in and around the mountain resort town of Hakone. Mt. Fuji was in her glory, though like Danali, one can go months without seeing her! We are now at an ideal vantage point for viewing. Hakone is in a huge crater from which we rode a gongola up to the side which spewed fumerals of steam. Cameras clicking, we hiked a path up to the point where we could boil eggs (turning the shells black) to confirm the temperature. There are 5 volcano-formed lakes surrounding Fuji and we took a leisurely crossing of the largest one, Lake Ashi, to another resort town where we first visited a famous wood craftsman's workshop for a demonstration of his fine craft inlaid art. Lunch at a fancy hotel by the lake was followed by an optional visit to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which displayed acres of magnificent outdoor modern sculpture and a Picasso Pavillion.
Back at our ryokan, some are soaking in the spa while we await our last Traditional dinner here. So much unfamiliar to us Westerners here at the inn, but by the second day we are feeling more comfortable, even running around in our yakuta bathrobes.
Pic 1: Mt. Fugi from the trail; Pic 2: On Lake Ashi; Pic 3: Hakone-Zaiku Wooden Handicraft Workshop
No comments:
Post a Comment