Japan Trip, Day 12

While I caught up on photos and email (last internet for a while), Rob ran over to the station to reserve seats on the train to Odawara. Once we were all packed, we “Checked out”. The lady at the ryokan gave each of the girls a nice little Japanese purse.

At the station, we again stopped at Cafe du Monde/Mister Donut, before heading to the Shinkansen tracks. My big LL Bean rolling duffle barely fit on the the rack in the train, but it did. The trip was only a couple of hours and not eventful. In Odawara we bought out “Hakone Free Pass” and got on the train to Hakone.

Hakone as crowded and confusing. Rob had read that the begonia bus would take us right to where we needed to go, but it was a small bus and we looked a bit strange struggling on with our bags. At the garden we turned around a few times before spotting the inn. We got there at 2pm, but check in wasn’t until 3pm, so we hung out in the lobby. We were tired, there was nowhere to go. Chloe and I did take a little walk around the area.

hakone – 26 jun 2008

The room is again one with tatmi mats and futons, but it does have a private sink and toilet. The “bath” is public, so we will have to shower in a room with other people also in the room.

hakone – 26 jun 2008

Not wanting to sit in the room, we walked on a path to the nearby train station and took the train up the mountain two stops. The train did some interesting switchbacks. In Miyanoshita, we walked around the little town and found the Italian restaurant listed in the lonely planet guide. It had been some time since we had eaten a real meal. The girls shared a pizza; Chloe ordered a side of rice to go with her. I had penne gorgonzola and Rob had a “menu” that included spaghetti with seafood.

Back at the hotel, we watched tv for a little while. Rob went to take a bath. Camille read.

Note to self: if bringing a computer on a trip, bring some DVDs along too so the girls can watch a movie once in a while.

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