Goodbye Tokyo

We said farewell to Tokyo from the Hamarikyu Gardens. A serene garden in the middle of a bustling city.

Back on the bus to make our way to the Hakone area, hoping to get a glimpse of Mt Fuji. Lunch at the equivalent of a servo (but on a much bigger scale) and then on to Lake Kawaguchiko. We could see where Fuji was supposed to be but there was too much cloud. However we did find that the leaves are starting to turn so we’re getting a little autumn colour.

Onward to Lyashi no Sato, with lots of little thatched houses. One original but many others reconstructed following a 1966 typhoon. Just as we arrived Mt Fuji appeared above the clouds!

Then we continued to our destination around lots of hairpin bends going up into the mountains to a traditional ryokan guest house with tatami mats and futons on the floor. It also has a public Natural hot spring onsen and we both had a nice warm bath. No clothes - which would have been daunting if there had been other people around (No photos!!!). Followed by another traditional Japanese meal - mostly cold. We all donned some form of traditional attire, having had a lesson on the bus from Koko-san on how to put it on.