Hakone.

We left Tokyo for a day and a half to head over to Hakone, a picturesque mountain town. It was absolutely gorgeous there, despite the fact that it was incredibly rainy.



We walked around downtown for some lunch. Hakone is also famous for its kamaboko (fishcake).


We walked up a steep hill to our hotel. Of course, I was the one trailing behind. I hate hills. But the views made it worth it.


A zoomed in view of the kanji for "big" (ookii) on the mountain across from where we were.


The hotel rooms and baths were awesome. Our group pretty much took over the hotel. I don't think there were any other guests staying there that night. It kind of reminded me of The Shining -- us being all isolated like that. Except without the hauntedness and the crazy Jack Nicholson and creepy twins.


The view from our room.


And the view from the lobby.


It's a getaway location for not just us gaijin, but for the people of Japan.