This post is long overdue, but for the sake of completeness, here goes!
Hakone is an "onsen" town about 2.5 hours by train from Tokyo. The train ride also provides amazing views of Mt. Fuji which is an added bonus. To get you guys up to speed, an onsen is a Japanese public bathhouse and the water is powered by natural hot springs! The rules of engagement are as follows: 1. Be Naked. No swim suits are allowed. 2. Make sure you shower/clean yourself at the shower stall prior to getting into the bath. 3. Men and Women use different baths. So don't panic about the nakedness. 4. Since the water is usually quite hot (40C+), take breaks after every 20 minutes to cool off. 5. They usually provide you with a teeny hand towel to cover your private parts. You are not allowed to take a bath towel to the bathhouse. 6. They also provide a yukata (simplified kimono of sorts), bathrobe if you will that you can wear in the locker room. If nothing else, it looks super cute.
"Onsen" is a state of mind! Do it once, and you'll enjoy it and will no longer fear.
Besides the numerous onsens, Hakone also has many temples/shrines located along Lake Ashi. I recommend doing a tour of the lake on a boat(a pirate boat), where you can get dropped off at specific boats to g check out the shrines. There is a cable car (Hakone Ropeway) that connects some of the shrines but a good section of the route was under construction when I went. So definitely check out this website before you: http://www.hakoneropeway.co.jp/foreign/en/
Other things to do in Tokyo
1. Shibuya crossing. It is quite exhilarating to walk amongst swarms of people as they cross the street.
Hakone is an "onsen" town about 2.5 hours by train from Tokyo. The train ride also provides amazing views of Mt. Fuji which is an added bonus. To get you guys up to speed, an onsen is a Japanese public bathhouse and the water is powered by natural hot springs! The rules of engagement are as follows: 1. Be Naked. No swim suits are allowed. 2. Make sure you shower/clean yourself at the shower stall prior to getting into the bath. 3. Men and Women use different baths. So don't panic about the nakedness. 4. Since the water is usually quite hot (40C+), take breaks after every 20 minutes to cool off. 5. They usually provide you with a teeny hand towel to cover your private parts. You are not allowed to take a bath towel to the bathhouse. 6. They also provide a yukata (simplified kimono of sorts), bathrobe if you will that you can wear in the locker room. If nothing else, it looks super cute.
"Onsen" is a state of mind! Do it once, and you'll enjoy it and will no longer fear.
Besides the numerous onsens, Hakone also has many temples/shrines located along Lake Ashi. I recommend doing a tour of the lake on a boat(a pirate boat), where you can get dropped off at specific boats to g check out the shrines. There is a cable car (Hakone Ropeway) that connects some of the shrines but a good section of the route was under construction when I went. So definitely check out this website before you: http://www.hakoneropeway.co.jp/foreign/en/
Other things to do in Tokyo
1. Shibuya crossing. It is quite exhilarating to walk amongst swarms of people as they cross the street.
2. Shinjuku Station. This station has the best "depachika" or department store basement. Every possible time of cooked food is available here. From gyozas to sushi, to tempura of all kinds, to satays and desserts. Definitely check it out for dinner or a quick grab-n-go.
3. 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt, New York Bar. If you are a fan of "Lost in Translation" or like jazz or like drinking good cocktails on the 52nd floor, this is the place to go! I will admit, the drinks are pricey ($20), but the view is amazing! We went on a Sunday night; while the place wasn't packed, it definitely was quite full.
4. Tsukiji Market. The world famous fish market! While you can go early to see some of he auctioning (5:00am), I recommend you go after a good night's sleep and after the dust has settled. Check out the inner market and then head on to the local sushi shops in the outer market. They have some of the best sushi not to mention cheap sushi i've tasted. It's also a good place to shop around for spices, seaweed, fruits, etc..
5. Akhihabara District. This place has all the electronics you need and more. Tons of gaming arcades if you are into that stuff.
6. Gachi. Best ramen hands down if you like spicy, chilli ramen. Just do it!
