Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) Hakone - Japan 25th March 2008

Lake Ashi (Japanese: Ashinoko) was formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after the volcano's last eruption 3000 years ago. Today, the lake with Mount Fuji in the background is the symbol of Hakone.

The best views of the lake in combination with Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from Moto-Hakone, from the Hakone Detached Palace Garden and from the sightseeing boats cruising the lake.

Note however, that clouds and poor visibility often block the view of Mount Fuji, and you have to consider yourself lucky if you get a clear view of the mountain. Visibility tends to be better during the colder seasons of the year than in summer, and in the early morning and late evening hours.

Two companies, Hakone Sightseeing Boats and Izuhakone Sightseeing Boats, operate boats between Moto-Hakone and Hakonemachi at the lake's southern shores and Togendai and Kojiri at the northern shores.

A boat cruise from one end of the lake to the other takes roughly 30 minutes and costs 970 Yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on the pirate ship shaped Hakone Sightseeing Boats but not on boats operated by Izuhakone.

how to get there

From Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto

Frequent buses connect Odawara via Hakone-Yumoto with Moto-Hakone and Hakonemachi at the southern end of Lake Ashi. The one way journey from Odawara takes about 50 minutes and costs 1150 Yen. From Hakone-Yumoto it takes about 35 minutes and costs 930 Yen. The Hakone Free Pass is valid on Hakone Tozan buses but not on Izuhakone buses.

There is also a frequently served Hakone Tozan Bus line from Odawara via Hakone-Yumoto to Togendai at the northern end of Lake Ashi (covered by the Hakone Free Pass). The one way journey from Odawara takes about 50 minutes and costs 1200 Yen. From Hakone-Yumoto it takes about 35 minutes and costs 1020 Yen.

A slow and scenic way of approaching Lake Ashi from Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto is taking the Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora, followed by a cablecar and ropeway ride to Togendai at the northern end of of the lake. From Togendai one can continue by sightseeing boat to Moto-Hakone or Hakonemachi. The whole journey is covered by the Hakone Free Pass.

Kamakura Japan 24th March 2008

Kamakura is a coastal town in Kanagawa prefecture, less than one hour south of Tokyo.

Kamakura became the political center of Japan, when Minamoto Yoritomo chose the city as the seat of his new military government in 1192. The Kamakura government continued to rule Japan for over a century, first under the Minamoto shogun and then under the Hojo regents.

After the decline of the Kamakura government in the 14th century and the establishment of its successor, the Muromachi or Ashikaga government in Kyoto, Kamakura remained the political center of Eastern Japan for some time before losing its position to other cities.

Today, Kamakura is a very popular tourist destination. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments. In addition, Kamakura's sand beaches attract large crowds during the summer months.

The Great Budha of Kamakura, Japan 24th March 2008

The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha that is located on the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan (the largest is located in the Todaiji Temple in Nara).

The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were washed away by a tsunami tidal wave in the end of the 15th century, and since then the Buddha stands in the open air.

How to get there

The Great Buddha is located a 5 minute walk from the Enoden Railway Hase Station, the third station from Kamakura main station. The Enoden is a streetcar-like train that connects Kamakura with Enoshima and Fujisawa. Its terminal station in Kamakura is located just west of JR Kamakura Station.

Dinner at Gonpachi Restaurant in Roppongi Tokyo, 23rd March 2008

We closed our one day trip in Tokyo with dinner at Gonpachi Restaurant in Roppongi. Thank you very much family Kaga for everything. Thank you for showing me some interesting places in Tokyo and treat me so well. I feel more than welcome.


GONPACHI (Traditional Japanese Restaurant with Great Atmosphere)

House Specialty is "Soba" – Japanese Noodles served cool, hot, in soup, roasted, you name it and "Yakitori" – Japanese Skewers of everything. Both are available at very moderate prices.

The kitchen is located in the middle of the restaurant with a counter around. The best tables are located at the "Smokers Mezzanine" on the right side. There are nice cubicles for two, three or four persons where you can see the kitchen and the entire restaurant. There' great atmosphere, even if you are a non-smoker, so try it at least once because you won't regret it. Anyway, with the smell of the Yakitori grill and the Soba cooking, you don't smell the cigarettes smoke.

Gonpachi Restaurant is located in Roppongi Street (direction from Shibuya - right side) from the Roppongi Crossing, past the level of the Roppongi Hills Complex after the corner of TV Asahi Street (They have a beer garden at the entrance)

Tel: 03 5771 0170
Ask your hotel for a reservation, the restaurant is normally full.

Omotesando Tokyo, 23rd March 2008

Shopping around Omotesando Tokyo.

Lunch at a Sushi Bar in Tokyo, 23rd March 2008

Having lunch together with Rie-san and her family at a Sushi Bar in Tokyo is one of the wonderful experiences during my stay in Japan. Thank you very much family Kaga for your kindness and hospitality. I feel more than welcome.

The East Gardens of Imperial Palace, Tokyo 23rd March 2008

Today, I have appointment with Rie-san and her family. Rie-san was my colleague when I worked for NEC. They pick me up at 9.20 am and took me to some interesting places in Tokyo. One of them is the East Gardens of Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace East Gardens (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen) are a part of the inner palace area and are open to the public, except on Mondays, Fridays and some special occasions (see links below). Admissions is free of charge.

The East Gardens are the former site of Edo Castle's innermost circles of defense, the honmaru ("main circle") and ninomaru ("secondary circle"). None of the main buildings remain today, but the moats, walls, entrance gates and several guardhouses still exist.

Edo Castle was the residence of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867. Emperor Meiji also resided there from 1868 to 1888 before moving to the newly constructed Imperial Palace.

A wide lawn and the remaining foundation of the former castle tower can be found on top of the hill, where the castle's innermost buildings once stood. The castle tower was completed in 1638 as the tallest castle tower in Japan's history. But only a few years later in 1657, it was destroyed by citywide fires and has not been rebuilt ever since.