Day 5: Around Hakone - open air art & ropeway

After a lovely, albeit rather substantial, breakfast at our ryokan we set out to take in some of the attractions; the first stop is a short walk to Hakoneyumoto railway station (we'll discover later there is a much closer station), passing through the charming sights stretched out along Highway 1 (the main drag through the mountains).

Using our trusty JR passes, we catch the train to
Chokokunomori Station, from which a short walk brings us to the Hakone open air art museum. 

This marvellous museum is set in a stunning location, surrounded by hills, with a very impressive collection of sculptures (including several Henry Moores) on display in the grounds. It was very easy to spend several hours here, taking in the art and the scenery, and admiring the way the path had been arranged so as to set each work to a continually changing backdrop.

 

 

 

Lunch was taken at the cafe, after which Rachel and Imogen decided to sample the hot foot spa while James and Samuel climbed up the tallest building they could find.

One last detour to the gift shop, and we returned to the station to catch the train on to Sounzan where we then took the cable car up to the Hakone ropeway.

The ropeway is a 30-minute journey from Sounzan Station to Togendai Station, which nestles on the shore of Lake Ashi, with spectacular views of the lake, the rising volcanic fumes of Owakudani and (on clear days) Mount Fuji; alas this wasn't a clear day, but there was plenty to see and admire, not the least being the sulphurous emissions from the ground far below.

Hakone Ropeway

For the journey back, we discovered that Tonosawa station was a lot closer to our ryokan (which is the middle pin below) than Hakoneyumoto.

Dinner this evening was at the ryokan; yet again a sumptuous feast of many dishes, beautifully prepared. Tomorrow we leave Hakone for Kyoto.