Once we figured out the train and the bus we arrived at MotoHakone (Liz was far more organised than me and had the route down to a T) and wandered down the road to our lodgings for the next couple of nights - we were greeted by an absolute double of Mr Myagi from Karate Kid who spoke very little engrish but who was great and very helpful. The town of Hakone is quite seasonal so there was very little open other than the 7 Ereven. We stocked up on some suppries for the evening that consisted of an interesting large pot noodle with a crispy pizza on top - not good! I made an emergency trip back to the shop for chocolate to get us through the night!

The night was freezing - the weather was sooooo much colder than Tokyo and due to us being the only guests at the Lakeside Inn I think they were saving on the heating bill.

Mr Myagi made us breakfast the next day - a hearty feast that saw us through most of the day. We had made our plan the night before to take the boat - a pirate ship - to Tegendoi and then up on the Ropeway to the hot springs and where we could get a great view of Mt Fuji. It was cold but well worth the trip as the view was amazing, the highest spot to see Mt Fuji from.

We started to venture up to the hot springs and got pretty much to the top when my nose decided the altitude wasn't right and started to pour with blood - quite embarassing being up at the top having to hold tissue to your nose and get to the bottom so that it would clot! My god the clot was a monster! Liz went to the top and people were eating black eggs by the hot springs which are meant to prolong life, I guess we'll never know how long they were meant to live in the first place!

Instead of the Ropeway back down the mountain, Liz and I decided to take on the walk back down which was about an hour but much more exhilarating than the cable car again.

Hakone was very peaceful and relaxing and all the long walks we did we thoroughly enjoyed, room had an amazing view, weather was great, Mr Myagi and his breakfasts were interesting but tasty (we didn't eat Mr Myagi) and we witnessed our first bit of amusing translation. On the pirate ship there was a door that was closed and on it it said "This door is not open". Well it made me chuckle.

We were up early ready to take on the next place on the plan - Osaka. Will update soon.

Sam