Yokohama Unveiled: A Journey Through Japan's Historic Port City

Video 1.  Yokohama Waterfront ―From Minato Mirai to Osanbashi Pier (YouTube link)

Yokohama (横浜⭐⭐) is Japan's second largest city. It is located less than half an hour south of Tokyo by train.

Towards the end of the Edo Period (1603-1867), during which Japan maintained a policy of self-isolation, Yokohama's port was one of the first to be opened to foreign trade in 1859. Consequently, Yokohama quickly grew from a small fishing village into one of Japan's major cities.

Until today, Yokohama remains popular among expats, has one of the world's largest Chinatowns and preserves some former Western residences in the Yamate district.

Osanbashi Pier

From Minatomirai to Osanbashi Pier

On 11/23/2018, it was my last day in Hakone. In the early morning, I had taken T-Line from Sengoku (仙石) to Odawara (小田原).  Because my flight back to United States was 18:50 in the evening.  I still had more than half day free.  So, I had decided to stop by Yokohama for its ocean-side view.

Carrying luggage is not a good way to do sightseeing.  So, I had to find a locker to put them in at Yokohama Station.  Luckily, I was able to find one in the back side of Station because I was there early (i.e., around 9 am).

After dropping my luggage, I had taken Minatomirai Line (みなとみらい線 Minatomirai-sen) and stopped at Minatomirai Station.  Then I took a lunch at a Buffet restaurant on the 2F of Queens Tower near Minatomirai Station.  After that, I started walking from Minato Mirai to Osanbashi Pier.

Photo Gallery

Capturing the Essence of a Sunny Stroll: A Photographic Journey Through November 23, 2018.

View of Minato Mirai 

View from Osanbashi Pier

View from Osanbashi Pier

Couple taking wedding photos on Osanbashi Pier

Yokohama Intl Passenger Terminal on Osanbashi Pier

View of Yokohama Bay Bridge from Osanbashi Pier

View from Osanbashi Pier

Blue Light Yokohama (YouTube link)

Minato Mirai evening view

References

1. Top attractions in Yokohama
2. Hakone Travel (Total 16 articles on this blogger)

Gateway to Tranquility: A Pilgrimage to Hakone-Jinja Shrine

Hakone Travel―Taking Old Tokaido Road to Hakone-jinja Shrine (YouTube link)

Nestled at the base of Mount Hakone, along the shores of Lake Ashi, lies the Hakone-Jinja Shrine (箱根神社⭐). While the shrine buildings themselves are hidden within the dense forest, a colossal torii gate standing proudly in the lake acts as a beacon, drawing visitors in.

Reaching the shrine is a peaceful journey. From Hakonemachi-ko port, a leisurely 10-minute walk along the lakeshore leads you to the iconic lakefront torii gate. Ascend through the forest on a path flanked by trees, passing a series of steps that lead to the shrine's main building.  Here, amidst the towering trees, tranquility reigns. The shrine offers year-round beauty, but it's especially enchanting when veiled in mist.

Photo Gallery

These photos were taken on 11/21/2018, a rare sunny day.

View from Hakone Detached Palace Garden

View from Moto-Hakone Port

View of Mt Fuji

Dense forest over the trail

View of Lak Ashi along the trail

People lined up for pictures with tori gate

Visitors walking up the trail (view towards the Lake)

Visitors walking down the trail (view towards the Lake)

References

1. Hakone Shrine
2. Hakone Travel (Total:16 articles on this blogger)
3. Izu Hakone Bus map (pdf in Japanese)
4. Izu Hakone Bus timetable (pdf in Japanese)
5. 伊豆箱根バス　経路・時刻・運賃案内 (in Japanese)

Tenzan Onsen: A Hakone Treasure Unveiled ― My Personal Experience

箱根 天山湯治郷 (YouTube link)

SHINFURO：Synchronized Swimming in Hot Springs (YouTube link)

Hakone Onsen

Hakone (箱根) is one of the most popular onsen (hot spring) towns and has a history of 1200 years. Visitors can enjoy a hot spring bath in public bath houses or ryokan. Many ryokan open their baths not only to staying guests but also to daytime visitors. While staying guests can use the baths for free, daytime visitors pay an admission fee of typically between ¥500 and ¥2000.

Waiting area (まちあい / 待合)

View from the waiting area

Personal Experience

On 11/19/2018, I have decided to spend the day on a hot spring bath at Tenzan (天山⭐⭐) because it was raining.  As usual, you are not supposed to take pictures or video inside the bath.  I'll just refer you to Tenzan's official web page to see what to expect at the bath.  The pictures on their web site are exactly you would experience if you were there.

My impression at the bath was speechless with amazement.  The surrounding landscape was so beautiful with a surreal feeling.  Therefore, I had managed to stay inside the bath as long as I could stand.  Note that the high temperature could kill you if you have high blood pressure.  So, ask for your doctor's advice before you try the hot spring bath if you have high blood pressure or other heart-related issues.

After the bath, I had stayed on a stretcher at the patio (see photo above) reading my eBook on Kindle device.  After the bath, you feel totally relaxed and calm.  Some seniors sleep on the tatami inside the door for a nap.  Others like me sit outside to enjoy the nature and fresh air at the patio.  

Rakuten dining area (食事処「楽天」)

View from the Dining area

View from the Dining area

Special dish (deep fried local river shrimps)

Teishoku Set Meal 

Teishoku Set Meal (2nd day)

Teishoku Set Meal (2nd day)

At around 11 am, the restaurant (see Figure 2) at Tenzan bath opened and I went to dine over there.  Restaurant is a traditional Japanese-style restaurant (i.e., sitting on tatami).  My dining room had a window overlooking a creek and nearby hills.  The view was so green and refreshing.  While waiting for the meal, I just sat there and enjoyed the scenery.

The foods at Tenzan's restaurant was so delicious that I really enjoyed it.  My bento set included mainly vegetables and I had ordered a side dish with it―fried shrimps.  The shrimps, I guess, was caught locally (maybe from the Lake Ashi) were very fresh.  They were tiny and their shells were so tendered after fried.  So, you can just eat them as is (i.e., not peeling off the shells).  I chewed them carefully and eventually the whole crispy shrimp melted away in my mouth.  What you have tasted is pure freshness.  

This onsen experience is different from my previous onsen experience at Ohara.^[2]  Both are so memorable that the sensation they have aroused will forever imprinted in my mind.

How to wear Yukata for men (Important: the left side of the Yukata should always be on top; YouTube link)

References

1. Japan Travel―Visiting Hakone for Onsen Experience
2. Visiting Ohara in Kyoto—Personal Experience

Hakone Travel―Visiting Hakone-Yumoto (箱根湯本)

Hakone is noted for its hot spring resorts, which attract both Japanese and international visitors due to its proximity to the greater Tokyo metropolis and to Mount Fuji.

Hakone-Yumoto (箱根湯本), a gateway to the Hakone area, is Hakone's most famous hot spring with a particularly long history, high quality water and numerous baths and inns.

Photo Gallery

Below photos were taken on 11/19/2018, a rainy day and a good time for a hot spring bath:

A Pedestrian Bridge Connecting Hakone Fujiya Hotel and Yumoto Station

Pedestrian Bridge

View from the Hakone Fujiya Hotel side

View from the Hakone Fujiya Hotel side

Souvenir Shops

Souvenir Shops

Soba Restaurant

Souvenir Shops

Souvenir Shops

Hakone-Yumoto Station

References

1. Japan Travel―Visiting Hakone for Onsen Experience
2. Hakone Travel (Total 16 articles on this blogger)

Hakone Travel—Visiting Gora Park

Gōra Station (強羅駅 Gōra-eki)^[1] is a terminal railway station on the Hakone Tozan Line as well as the Hakone Tozan Cable Car, and is located in Hakone, Kanagawa, Japan. It is the transportation hub of Hakone, from where you can reach various resort towns in Hakone.

Once you arrive at Gōra Station, you might want to plan a one-hour trip to the Gora Park (強羅公園, Gōra Kōen).

Video 1.  Hakone Gora Park (YouTube link)

Gora Park

Gora Park (強羅公園, Gōra Kōen) is a western style landscape park located on the steep slope above Gora Station. It is a relaxing place to unwind and enjoy the scenery and views of Hakone.^[2]

Gora Park is primarily a French styled landscape park featuring a large fountain and a rose garden. The park also has two greenhouses, one housing a tropical botanical garden while the other contains a flower garden. Additionally, there is a restaurant overlooking the main fountain, as well as the Hakuun-do Chaen teahouse.

Photo Gallery

Below photos were taken with a walk from Gora Station to Gora Park on 11/19/2018, a rainy day:

Figure 1.  An unknown restaurant on the way to Gora Park

Figure 2.  An unknown restaurant (closer view)

Figure 3.  A Cafe inside Gora Park which overlooks the Fountain

Figure 3.  View of the Fountain from the Cafe

Figure 4.  View of the Fountain from the Cafe

Figure 5.  View of the landscape inside the Park

References

1. Hakone (Wikipedia)
2. Gora Park
3. 園内マップ・施設 (Japanese)
4. Hakone Travel (Total 16 articles on this blogger)

Hakone Travel―Cruising Lake Ashinoko on the Sightseeing Boat

Pirate Cruise on Lake Ashinoko (YouTube link)

Lake Ashinoko ⭐(芦ノ湖, Ashinoko) was formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after the volcano's last eruption 3000 years ago. Today, the lake with Mount Fuji in the background is the symbol of Hakone. The lake's shores are mostly undeveloped except for small towns in the east and north and a couple of lakeside resort hotels.

Photo Gallery

On 11/21/2018, I have taken the Hakone pirate ship from Togendai Port to Hakone-machi Port.  Below photos were taken on that route in the same order of cruise:

References

1. Hakone Travel: Lake Ashinoko
2. Hakone Hiking Trail―Hakone-jinja Shrine and Old Tokaido (東海道)
3. Hakone Travel―Morning Stroll along Lake Ashinoko
4. Izu Hakone Bus map (pdf in Japanese)
5. Izu Hakone Bus timetable (pdf in Japanese)
6. 伊豆箱根バス　経路・時刻・運賃案内 (in Japanese)