We will never forget Hakone and the pampering we received at the hot springs hotel. Students will also never forget sleeping on tatami mats in traditional Japanese style rooms. The views were obscured this morning by a persistent rain and wind. The cable car and lake cruises were closed due to weather. Instead, we visited a volcanic area (Owakudani) famed for its steamed black eggs. It was cold and VERY windy! Last year we visited a volcano in France and had equally bad fortune with the weather that day. Though we have yet to reveal our 2019 destination, rest assured no volcanoes will appear on the itinerary.
Next we stopped at the Hakone Open-Air Sculpture Museum. This was a pleasant surprise. Sculptures from famous artists around the world dotted the well-designed landscape. There was a special Picasso Pavilion and many of the students warmed themselves by relaxing in the hot foot baths outside the cafe.
It was a full day. We climbed to the top of the 15th century Odawara Castle before driving to the rail station where we boarded the bullet train to Kyoto. Two hours later, we were navigating the nighttime streets in taxis to our final hotel for this trip. Two additional things we have learned while in Japan for those of you willing to read this entire post: A “quarter past” six means 6:15, not 6:25, and red bean paste is a poor substitute for chocolate or Nutella in many desserts.
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