the SIDE trip

The Davises were in Japan for two weeks and they spent three of those days in Kyoto on their own. But sort of on the way to Kyoto is a small little town that is a popular spot to visit, especially for families, so we joined them for two nights in Hakone before they headed off.

 

 

 

 

The main thing to do in Hakone is mostly just travel from one little spot to the next all using different modes of transportation. There are cable cars, rope ways, old trains, new trains, and big old boats. There are also supposed to be various views of Mt. Fuji all along the way but it was always too cloudy during our stay (we did catch a nice glimpse on the train ride in from Tokyo). At each little transfer point there are parks and various sights to see but nothing earth-shattering. Just a nice break to the day.

 

 

 

Our favorite stop, by far, was the Open Air Museum. Every single one of us was thoroughly entertained for a good few hours. There were large-scale sculpture pieces scattered among the gardens and paths. Small little galleries for paintings and installations. A little cafe and shop with an adjoining outdoor foot bath. And the most insane play areas you have ever seen for the kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed in a small ryokan on one of the small stops along the path. Even though they advertised it as a room for four people it was one of the smallest rooms Graham and I have stayed in here. It definitely gave the Davises a good taste of traditional Japan ;). We slept on futons laid out in a big pile on the floor. There was zero walking space once the mats were down. In the morning someone comes in and puts them all away and brings in a little table for breakfast. Our room rate also included half-board which is breakfast and dinner. In the smaller towns especially this is common as there are not many places to eat out (unlike Tokyo where the options are numerous). Which is why it is common here to charge per person for the room rather than a flat fee.

 

 

 

 

The food was crazy. Both the sheer amount of it, the variety, and its contents. There was sushi, crab, steak, soup, grilled fish, rice, salad, pickles, and dozens of other odds and ends. I think we were all anxious for a little western food by the end of it but a good cultural experience nonetheless.