So we are now in Hakone 箱根, a town that is very famous for its hot springs.

Where we stayed:
Hotel Green Plaza Hakone (There will be a review of all the hotels in a later post)

Where we went:
Owakudani 大涌谷 (This area was created by the eruption of Mount Hakone around 3000 years ago. Still an active volcanic zone with a strong ‘scent’ of sulfur. Be prepared to smell it in your onzen as well, it’s smelly, but it’s supposed to be really good for you!)

In Owakudani, they sell these black eggs that are cooked in the hot sulfur spring water, the Japanese believes they can prolong your life for 7 years with every egg you eat. So if you eat their pack of 5, you can live 35 years longer! oh… if you wonder how it tastes, it’s the same as any hard boiled eggs you’ve had.

Going in white

Coming out black (they keep putting in cages and cages of eggs, I wonder how many they make & sell each day)

鮨 鰺魚丼 (a must-go small sushi place owned by a really sweet old couple)

The life-changing Aji (horse mackerel) rice bowl

Hakone Yumoto [Souvenir Street] 湯本手信街 (you can find lots of shops/souvenirs on this street)

Self-serve free fish tasting, a very unique taste-before-you-buy experience

Hakone Jinja 箱根神社 (A famous shrine that has been patronized by many military commanders and travelers on the Tokaido route. Their Treasure Hall exhibits many important cultural properties including a statue of Priest Mangan, the founder, and artifacts with over 1,253 years of history)

Next stop, also our last stop, Izukogen, a small town filling with cherry blossoms over Spring time.