Looking for MtFuji

19 mai 2008

We may have broken the record of number of transportation means today. We leave the big city behind, looking for green scenery.

Here we go to Hakone, the place where a lot of Tokyoites go to unwind during the week-end. We experience once again the fabulous Japanese timeliness and organisation when it comes to transportation means. We reach lake Ashi. We left Tokyo with a superb sunshine, meaning big chances to see Mt Fuji. Hakone boasts the best views of the famous mountain. Let me cut the suspense straight away. No Mont Fuji for us today. We see beautiful photos of postcards. What we get is clouds and mists.

At the port, we board an imitation of a 17^th century British ship. With all the Japanese comfort of course. The ride on the lake does not take more than 30 mns. We look for Sir Fuji, but nowhere to be seen. The views on the lake are very nice though. We have barely arrived at the other end of the lake that people start queuing to take the funicular. That’s also (with clear weather allowing) a very fine spot to see you-know-what. No chance. It’s windy, cloudy, and now…. rainy!

Ahead of us are some sulphur spots where one can wander around. After two years in volcanic Goma, we can’t really say we did not have our share of volcanic settings. We decide to give it a miss (especially under a heavy rain) and take refuge in the restaurant. We fall in the tourist trap and try the black egg: only the egg shell is black. (what else did we expect?) We try the Japanese pork curry (with noodles for Jeremie and rice for Rita) that turns out to be very tasty.

It’s decidedly cold and we call it a day. We queue to take a cable car so that we can queue to take a train, so that we queue again when we need to take a second train that will lead us to our wait (hey, first in line…) for our Shinkansen.

We head straight to Shibuya - our favourite neighbourhood in Tokyo. We look around for some shops before reaching the Mecca of Manga. Anyone even with a vague interest in comics should have a look at Mandarake. This shop is 3 floors below the street, and when entering, one discover thousands of manga comics, duly distributed. There are also some posters, Tshirts, and figurines. But the bulk of it are mangas; whatever one is looking for, it’s there. Whether new or second hand. Too bad, there are almost none in English.

Jeremie was very nice today and has deserved his reward: a lengthy tour at Tower Records. This shop is the largest music shop in the world. It’s just massive. Seven stories high, full of CDs. Every genre can be found here; from international pop to techno, from classical to world music, and from jazz to hard rock. The seventh floor is devoted to books and should not be missed. Once again, the choice of books and mangas, all in English, is great.

Tip of the day

Free transport pass for Hakone: weekdays, costs 3900Y, valid for 2 days

Check the website for live situation to check whether the weather is fine. Hakone area lies between 700 and 1000 m high and it can rain heavily there whilst it’s sunshine in Tokyo.