Hakone – Mt Fuji
Travel Advice for Seniors: Hakone – Mount Fji
Mount Fuji is a “must see” simply because it is so meaningful to the Japanese people. The area around it is brimming with hot springs, but the mountain is the star attraction.
Our three-week trip through Japan took us from beginning in Tokyo to our next stop in Hakone. We stayed at Yoshiike Ryokan, which is an open-air hot springs onsen with well-manicured Japanese gardens and exceptional food and lodging. We highly recommend a day trip out of Tokyo if you can spare the time, just to come to the spas here in Hakone. We would go back again in a heartbeat, simply because of the beauty of the area and of course the spas!
A word on Japanese Gardens…you will find that every rock, plant and tree is placed in a very particular place intentionally within the gardens. Gardens are created with specific goals in mind, such as meditation, to show power or strength and so on. Ask questions when you visit the well-manicured gardens in Japan so that you have the entire story. They are truly remarkable and inspiring.
After a wonderful stay at the Ryokan, featuring delicious food that looked like works of art and traditional Japanese futon bedding, we were ready to explore Hakone and nearby Mount Fuji.
A word on the food in Japan….it is mostly raw seafood (sushi and sashimi), some noodles and some hot pot. If you do not like seafood, Japan is not for you. Also, some meals are served in the traditional manner, where you kneel and sit back on your heels. This can be fairly uncomfortable after a short while, so ask in advance about using western-style tables and chairs or even a small stool if you know this will be a problem.
Also, a word about Japanese style bedding….it is usually a futon that is rolled out on the floor in the evening. It is pretty hard, and you do have to get down to the floor and back up again. Be prepared for this or ask in advance for Western-style beds.
Hakone is about 40 miles from Mt Fuji, which is where we were next headed. Fortunately, we visited on a clear day and were able to see the peak very clearly. A good omen! Mt Fuji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Cultural Property and is the highest peak in Japan and one of three sacred mountains in the country. It is also an active volcano. Interesting, there was a place you could buy a boiled egg that had been boiled in some of the hot springs around the mountain…they were black, but still tasted like eggs!
One of the highlights of our stop here was a cruise on Lake Ashi, a crater lake famous for stunning views of Mount Fuji and the red torii gate of Hakone-jinja Shrine on the shore.
Following our fantastic stop in Hakone we were ready to experience two more uniquely Japanese icons: The Shinkansen bullet train and a bento box lunch. The Shinkansen offers the fastest and most efficient way to explore Japan with speeds reaching up to 200 mph. You hardly feel as if you are moving, the ride is so smooth. We also enjoyed a bento box lunch while on the train. Bento boxes have several compartments which separate foods into neat and aesthetically-pleasing portions. It will usually include rice, protein, some vegetables and a treat. The Japanese penchant for perfect arrangement and efficiency is evident in both of these treats.
Next stop…Takayama!
Where we stayed: Yoshiike Ryokan. Breakfast and dinner included. Very nice accommodation.
How we got there: Express Train from Tokyo.This was part of a three-week small group tour through Japan, starting in Toyko, traveling south to Hiroshima and then back to the north island and ending in a loop back in Tokyo.
General Accessibility Information: Japan is pretty accessible. Major attractions have accessibility features and most new buildings and hotels are accessible. Much transportation is also accessible. See Accessible Japan for specifics. Call in advance to verify and make specialty arrangements.See our sections on specialty apps and accessible travel for more on accessibility assistance.
