15 Days in Kanagawa & Hokkaido – Day 04 – Hakone – Togendai to Ubako to Owakudani

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We disembarked off Togendai, and lunched at the Togendai View Restaurant. Seating was plenty even on a fairly busy Sunday weekend, and prices of items were between ¥1000 to ¥1400 – slightly high for the general quality of food offered, but that’s to be expected for an obviously tourist place like this. This station is also one end of the Hakone Ropeway system, so tummies filled, we hoped onto our gondola for a ride up.

One of the ferries docked at Togendai. This one looks like a cross between a Christmas-decorated Chinese Junk ship.
This boat is just receiving passengers for its round around the lake.
The food in Togendai View Restaurant was so-so, but the kids didn’t complain, so there.
The Hakone Ropeway @ Togendai Station.
We shared a carriage with another passenger. The cars ride along silently without a whimper and the ride is quite smooth.
I reckon cars get more filled depending on when the ferries have just offloaded a hundred more visitors at Togendai. So, pro-tip: time your ride in the Ropeway in between ferries’ arrivals.
Mt. Fuji from inside the cable car. Yep, you can get shots like these without paying the additional dough at Mishima Skywalk.

The initial plan was to stop at Owakudani. But just before we reached the mid point station – Ubako – the PA system also announced that there’s a viewing spot for a ‘great view of Mt. Fuji’ at the station for visitors who want more. Get off or stay on? We went with the former, but with no clue where this viewing platform was to get a ‘great view of Mt. Fuji’, we ended up exiting the ropeway station, and saw a sign post hat mentioned at ??? observatory. That must be it! The trail looked intimidating – it was

The initial plan was for us to get to Owakudani Station to take a look at the rolling plumes of smoke from the still active volcano, but upon hearing the cable car’s public announcement of a viewing spot for a ‘great view of Mt. Fuji’ at the station for visitors who want more. Get off or stay on? We went with the former, but with no clue where this viewing platform was to get a ‘great view of Mt. Fuji’. We scouted outside the station and found a sign post that mentioned a Kintarouiwa viewing platform. That must be it! But after thirty minutes of hiking up and down a dirt trail that was cutting through the forest – would have taken longer if we let Peter pick up every fallen leaf, twig, stone, pebble along the way – we turned back as there seemed to be no end in sight, and the signs didn’t say how long the hike was going to be. It was only back at Ubako Station when we discovered that this viewpoint is a station window on the second floor. Duh. Literally bluff chewren.

Do not bother.
At the trail. At least the ground was reasonably dry, so manageable even for Peter.
This I suspect is the Kintarouiwa viewing platform. No Mt Fuji for you – just a partial view of Lake Ashi.

Back at Ubako Station, we continued onto Owakudani station. Owakudani was interesting, though I confess part of me was a little anxious after that sudden eruption in White Island last week that tragically resulted in loss of life. More so as the spot was closed for six months this year due to heightened volcanic alert levels in the area. The views of the sulphur vents from Owakudani station is alright, though you’d get a far more awestruck view in the cable car itself if you’re heading in the direction of Sounzan Station.

View of the sulphur vents at Owakaduni Station.
You get much better perspectives while in the cable car itself.
With the added benefit of having the Hakone Ropeway system in your framed shot too to give additional perspective.

One more post to go in this Day 04 series, and covering Gora Park!