A prestigious inn in Hakone (©Fujiya Hotel)
| A little less than two hours southwest of central Tokyo by express
train lies Hakone,
a town known throughout Japan for its fabulous hot springs. The best way to get
there is to enjoy a view of the coast while riding on an Odakyu Line express train
called the Romance Car, which runs from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Hakone Yumoto
Station. Upon arrival at the terminus, visitors can take another train that winds
its way up through the mountains. The beautiful Lake Ashi, which is surrounded
by mountains, is one place that sightseers should not miss. While Hakone is close
enough to Tokyo for a day trip, visitors may prefer to stay overnight at a traditional
Japanese inn and enjoy a leisurely soak in a hot spring followed by a specially
prepared meal.
There are a great many traditional Japanese inns in Hakone from which to choose. One of these was built in 1878 as a first-class resort catering to foreign guests soon after Japan opened to foreign trade. Notable foreign guests who have stayed there include General Douglas MacArthur. While the hotel is luxurious, it is not particularly expensive, and foreign visitors receive a discount if they show their passports. |
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