箱根 Hakone superb Hot Spring trip

No trip to Hakone would be complete without a dip at a Japanese hot spring (onsen). First time in my life dip myself into hot spring, I can't say anything else but "Kimochi ii!!~"
Maybe you dunnoe, but to go hot spring, you have to be naked but dun worry because it is separated for guys and girls.

Hakone (箱根; [2]) is a mountainous area west of Tokyo in Japan. The Hakone checkpoint on the historical Tokaido road marks the beginning of the Kanto region.

Itinerary

11th Nov.
11:10 ODAWARA Castle, historic site
12:10＝＝＝13:00 The HAKONE OPEN-AIR MUSEUM (lunch）
16:00＝＝16:45 Japanese style hotel, Shunko-So in HAKONE
Phone: 0460-86-5336 http://www.kayabuki.yad.jp/index.html

12th Nov.
Depart at 9:40＝＝10:50 ASHINOKO Sightseeing boat
11:30＝＝11:40 HAKONE Barrier, historic site（lunch）

Odawara Castle (小田原城, )

The Odawara castle is actually a restoration of the original castle. The original castle was constructed in 1590 by the lord Ujinao Hojo. The new construction was completed in 1960. The viewing area at the top of the castles offers some nice views of Odawara city and nearby Sagami bay. The inside of the castle houses an interesting collection of samurai armour and swords. On the grounds of the castle there is a somewhat out of place small zoo and an elephant.

Our tour guide explained 茶道(Tea ceremony) in the bus, there is a lot of rules and regulation. When you are served a tea, you have to first turn the bowl three small turns clock wise in order to make the flower part face outside, and turn it counter clock wise three times after finished. By doing this, the most beautiful part of the bowl will not be contaminated by mouth.

The warriors are waiting for us. Mostly aunties and uncles, they are extremely friendly.

This is how the wall is constructed.

The castle, inside is museum shows the things used by warriors in the old time, very similar to the China one, the most interesting thing I saw is the brush to dye the teeth black. According to Sumiyoshi san (organiser), the women in the old time have to dye their teeth black after marry. The scenery from the top of the building is superb, can see the sea

The Hakone Open Air Museum (彫刻の森美術館),

successfully attempts to create a harmonic balance of nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its spacious grounds in combination with beautiful views of the surrounding valley and mountains.

Besides the sculptures, the Hakone Open Air Museum features various indoor galleries, including a sizable Picasso Collection, consisting of paintings, prints, sculptures and ceramic creations.

I love this sculpture "Holding hand from heart"

Kids' catching net

The silver ball reflects the scenery and the road. The right picture shows "Grande Rocconto" 2004 by Giuliano Yangi (Italian 1931-)

The leaves start to turn red. The weather now is cold, around 13 Celsius .

Foot onsen (white carrot soup)

Illusion, and the happy couple (Segio and Huan)

Picasso museum with 300 pieces of artwork. The right picture denoted to my friend in Penang, I still feel my friend is hotter, you know I am saying you rite ;P

Shunkoso Hotel (春光庄）

This Traditional Ryokan is one of the least expensive ryokans on the Hakone ryokan list. However it is equipped with natural hot spring..YEAH!!..

The traditional type of room like Nobita's one and the onsen.

Our dinner

Spot me in yukata. We have little party after the dinner.

HOT!!

CUTE!!

Lake Ashinoko (芦ノ湖）

offers beautiful views of Mount Fuji but only on a clear day. As many tourists have found out, a visit to Lake Ashinoko does not guarantee a view of the mountain. The lake is crisscrossed by cartoonishly decorated "pirate ships".

Pirate shaped sight-seeing ship

Hakone Barrier　（箱根関所）

This check point was established in 1619 by the military government to prevent feudal lords from rebelling against the government, and for 250 years travel was strictly controlled. Currently, it is being restored to the Hakone Checkpoint of bygone days (set to be completed by 2007).

Shell in Japan

The toilet (strictly for display)

The view of the barrier/check-point from top of the hill ,the right pic show a portion of Mt Fuji (behind the mountains)

The video shows the firends I knew from the trip saying "Selamat Petang" which is good afternoon in Malay Language. In Thai, is "Sawadikaa" for girls, in Spain, it is "BuenosDiaz"

Click here for more photos for the Hakone trip