Hakone

Hakone is a beautiful tourist town at the foot of Mt. Fugi.  We had heard wonderful things about it, but until we had visitors, we hadn't braved the trip.  It is only a 60 to 80 minute drive, depending heavily on traffic.  On a clear day, the view of Fugi reflecting off the lake is spectacular.  We were not able to go on a clear day.

If fact, we tried to go twice.  The first day my Google Maps wouldn't talk to me.  I can't navigate and drive, plus Ellis had a melt down, so when we accidentally got on the expressway heading toward Tokyo, I eventually turned us around and we went home.  We tried again the next day with better luck, but not better weather.

Though we never saw Fugi, it's still a cool place.

Lil' Geisha dance in the parking lot while we wait for our pirate ship

Leyton did NOT want to ride the pirate ship.  She wanted to ride the swan boats.

But we rode the pirate ship instead

It take you across the lake, on about a 30 minute ride.  Mt. Fugi looms straight ahead in this picture.

We got off, ate lunch, and then missed our boat on the way back and had to wait an extra hour.

You can also do a gondola ride, but because we couldn't really see anything and because the kids were getting fussy, we headed home.

Despite the weather, we all (DoDo included) had a great trip.  Ryan wasn't able to go, so we will definitely be doing this trip again.