Hakone Adventures

So after we got back from Kyoto and had a few days to relax, we geared up for another adventure to one of our favorite Japanese locations: Hakone. Unfortunately it was A LOT more busy than we expected, but we found a way to avoid the crowds. Thanks to some quick thinking. We drove over to Hakone and started out with Mishima Skywalk, after an unfortunate detour that took us an hour out of the way (Google Maps, you failed us!). It was a bit windy and blustery, but the views weren't bad. We couldn't see Fuji, but we saw closer mountains and the ocean. We checked out the luxery bathrooms, and Jane even found a throne. They also had lovely Sakura sewer covers. In the afternoon we froliced and played at Yunesson, an onsen waterpark.

For dinner we had the most delicious pizza and gelato and my dad convinced us to walk out to the tori gate on the lake. We had it all to ourselves and I think it was one of my favorite experieces of my parents visit. It was a really fun evening. We returned to our tiny traditional Japanese hotel run by a nice older gentleman. He was so sweet and we really had fun sleeping on the Japanese mats.

The next day we woke up and had a clear, beautiful view of Fuji while we waited to catch the pirate ship to take us across the lake. The kids loved the boat ride and then we rode the gondola up to the top of the mountain to see the sulfur vents, or as my kids like to say, the volcano. We ate the black eggs for long life and then coontinued over the mountain.

We explored Gora Park and ate ice cream. Then we headed home.

When we returned I was happy to see the sakura tree in our backyard in full bloom. It's beautiful, and I can't resist sharing what a beautiful tree it is.

My parents had to return home, but we are so thankful for their visit. We are so glad they decided to come all the way to the other side of the world to see us.