Monday, November 28, 2011

Hakone 2011

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It's that time of year again in Tokyo where people take the Odakyu sen Romance Car and flock to Hakone to view the autumn leaves. We went yesterday and it was just beautiful! The colours of the leaves are just breathtaking!


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This year we took the Hakone Ropeway to Ashinoko.

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We could clearly see Fuji-san from the ropeway.

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Everyone made an 'oooooooooo!!!' when we spotted Fuji san and the sound of all the cameras clicking was so Japan.

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It was so tempting to take a ride on the Swan Boats, but do you know the legend? Some say that if you ride on these boats with your boyfriend of girlfriend you will break up.

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Lunch time beers and Nabe yaki udon with an incredible view of the lake.

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We stopped off Hakone Museum to wonder around the museums gardens. The mix of the fresh air, the cool weather and the beautiful leaves was just lovely.


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On the way back down to Hakone we felt heat coming up from our feet. When we glanced down we saw we were standing over a drain with hot onsen water flowing through. Along the road side the hot water trickled down the hill and we stood watching the steam rising. I enjoyed putting my hand in the water to feel its natural heat which is really quite incredible.

If you're in Tokyo during Autumn one day, I recommend a day trip to Hakone. Or better still, stay overnight in a local Ryokan and enjoy an onsen.

Last year I made a movie of our trip to Hakone. You can see it here.



Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

22 comments:

  1. wow, it's beautiful! and romancecar? too cute! i wonder what it's like in march/april, i'd like to see it when i visit then. i've been to japan twice but fujisan has always been hiding in the clouds!

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  2. Thank you for this inspiring video, it has put a smile on my face today!

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  3. Wow. These are so beautiful. I have always dreamed of visiting Japan.

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  4. wow!! just gorgeous!! i haven't been back to hakone since i was little but seeing your trip photos made me want to go back. thank you for sharing! esp. loved the photo of the nabeyaki udon & your cute socks peeking through. ;)

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  5. great video!
    we were there last weekend and the weather was awful! Luckily the rain stayed off on the Friday so we had a good day at the open air museum and met the artist Yamamoto
    http://jojoebi.blogspot.com/2011/11/hakone-open-air-museum.html

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  6. Nice photos. I get nostalgic, Hakone is such a beautiful area.

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  7. You choose a perfect clear and sunny day! Such a good view of Fuji-sanI LOVE the momiji. Can't stop snapping at them.

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  8. i heart koyo! *nostalgic* Hakone = been and loved it. thanks for sharing your Nippon love.

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  9. Some great pictures and Autumn has to be one of the best times of year to be in Japan with the changing colours of the leaves and cooler weather.

    Japan Australia

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  10. these photos are absolutely breathtaking. such beautiful colours! i think my brother arrived in the mt fuji area on the same day you were there and i am beyond jealous! x

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  11. how nice!! i loved to watch your photos!

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  12. thank you for all these maples! I love them.
    Judd

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  13. beautiful ! looks like the best fun. i love how the ropeway is called romance car :)

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  14. I visited japan in 2008, and Hakone was one of the places we stayed. It's absolutely breathtaking!


    The Collective Edit x

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  15. Hakone looks wonderful! I'll have to go next year :)

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  16. I feel so relaxed just looking at the pictures of leaves! Gorgeous. And your socks! So sweet.

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  17. Hi, I went there once !
    You did the same trip as me! So many memories!
    Thanks,
    cheers.

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  18. wow..reaaly nice..hope i can go there

    visit us at http://japanslot.blogspot.com/

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  19. So lovely to meet someone who shares my passion for the beauty of Japan, most especially the kitsch! Love it. x

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  20. hello, your write up about Japan is lovely. I've booked a trip for Japan 24 Nov and will be making a trip to Hakone. Will the leaves be as nice?

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