Lake Ashinoko

by Witha - 7:10 PM

As I mentioned in my previous post, we took a bus from Odawara Station to Moto-Hakone (You can stop at either Moto-Hakone or Hakone Machi to view Mount Fuji at Lake Ashi) The one journey from Odawara takes around 50 minutes to 1 hour with a superb scenery and cost 1150 yen. We bought Hakone Free Pass at Odawara Station and walked down the station to get on to the bus. Just follow the signage you will never get lost.

I would suggest for you to get the Hakone Pass because you will save a lot with it. More info on Hakone Free Pass here

Some of the beautiful view along the way. Very difficult to capture a photo in a moving bus

Not sure what is this but we saw this on our way. Might be a shrine entrance

Lake Ashi. View from the Lake Cruise Terminal. Did you see that red gate in the lake? I had that picture as my desktop wallpaper for a year and have no idea where it is, all I know that it is in Japan. Finally I got to see it with my own eyes! Unbelievable!

Finally we reached Lake Ashi. But errr there is no Mount Fuji?? No???? Seriously no Mount Fuji?? We were so frustrated because the reason why we came here is to see the Mount Fuji. Long story short, it is written in the internet that we might not be able to see it during winter and that is why Hakone is totally not in my itinerary at first. We changed our mind 1 week before the departure date. We decided to give it a try since it is still early winter. Who knows we might be lucky but.....

I approached an officer at the counter with a sad face

Me : There is no Mount Fuji? Can't see it today?

Officer : Oooh Mount Fuji? That way. You have to walk to that side (She pointed out to our left)

Me : Really????!!! Thank you so much!!! Arigato!!!

Hahahahahaha wrong place la! No wonder we can't see it.

Tada!!!!! It's Mount Fuji

Ok quickly take picture because we saw our cruise was approaching the jetty

Our ship!!

We took the lake cruise to get to Togendai Station which is at the opposite side of where we were. From there we will take Hakone Ropeway to get to Sounzan Station to visit Owakudani. All these rides are free is you purchase Hakone Free Pass.