Owakudani Volcano

Tuesday 29th January

The best way of discovering the Hakone region is to buy a pass which gives you access to a route which includes bus, pirate ship across the Ashino-ko lake, cable car, funicular tram and train. The scenery was amazing and if it had been a clearer day and not so overcast from the snow and rain I would have been able to see so much more.

Nevertheless it was a great day and due to the lack of tourists I got my own cable car up to the Owakudani volcano where I got out to walk up to the viewing deck and see where all the hot springs originate. My ears popped on the way up as it`s a height of 1044m.

After completing the sightseeing tour of the area I decided to warm up and stop off at another onsen (especially as I knew the format). It was set in the trees and was really relaxing just to sit and unwind for half an hour. The rain was actually quite refreshing too, when sat in a bath of hot water.

After that I set off for Nikko arriving just before 7pm. I was warned that things shut early in the town but wasn`t quite expecting to arrive at an almost deserted station with no way of knowing how to get to the centre, or anyone who spoke any English. After a while I managed to relay to a taxi driver that I hadn`t a reservation and could he just take me somewhere. And here I am in a basic but clean inn (recommended in the guide books with free internet access). However as everything was shut I had to settle with dinner from the 7/11 store. Lets hope I do better tomorrow night.