Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Holiday Hotspot – Hakone Japan
HAKONE in Kanagawa prefecture a popular tourist destination is known for its mountain trails, scenic boat and cable car rides, onsen (hot-spring baths) and art museums all with easy access from Tokyo. Hakone itself is situated in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park which also encompasses Mt Fuji, Fuji Five Lakes and the Izu Peninsula. It is commonly referred to as simply the Hakone National Park. On a clear day Mt Fuji can be viewed from as far away as Tokyo, but also from
many other spots in the FujiHakone-Izu National Park. The full day Hakone Free pass allows you unlimited access to the local scenic train line, the bus network, a funicular train up Mt Kami which leads on to a gondola rope-way, and a cruise boat on Lake Ashi. Begin your day with a visit to the excellent Open Air Sculpture museum at the village of Chokokunomori, around half an hour from Hakone-Yumoto station, the gateway to the park region. After time here head off on the Tozan railway to the small village of Gora at the
■ Shinanoki Ichinoyu Ryokan Traditional Inn
foot of the mountain. From Gora take the funicular railway ("cable car" ) up Mt Kami. Alight at Owakudani "Hell Valley" and take a walk through the bubbling sulphur vents and stop to try one of the famous black eggs, cooked in the heat of the natural thermal activity. The route continues by cable car providing views across Lake Ashi. Also of interest and worth a detour if you have time is the Pola Museum of Art near Gora station. A stay in a Japanese ryokan inn is an unbeatable opportunity to experience true Japanese hospitality, including kaiseki cuisine, hot onsen baths and sleeping on a tatami mat. In Hakone we sampled Shinanoki Ichinoyu located at the entrance of Sengokuhara. Shinanoki Ichinoyu is accessible to Odawara, Izu and Gotenba. The local restau-
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com rants in the area were also impressive. Some of the more famous Japanese food specialties served included sushi and sashimi. Noodles are an excellent lunch option in soup or fried dishes, offering a varied and filling meal. Other favorites include teriyaki, sukiyaki, tempura and nabe. Traditional Japanese drinks include sake and shochu, a strong ■ Mt Fuji Hakone Japan aquavit, often mixed with soda or juice. Local brands of beer tural such as Asahi are worth try- capital of Kyoto from ing. Inside Japan tailor your £1210pp including accomtravel and cultural experi- modation/breakfast/dinner, ences to suit all interests and transport between destinabudgets. tions, meet and greet airport All itineraries utilise the transfers and private guidsuper-efficient public trans- ing from natives & expats. port network, including the www.insidejapantours.com magnificent Bullet train. For Turkish airlines offer super those who would prefer a connections from Dublin to fully organised itinerary they Tokyo via Istanbul. offer a 9 night ‘Golden Route’ On long-haul flights, first, self guided trip covering the business & economy class Tokyo Metropolis, the hot passenger's feast on authensprings and mountains of tic Turkish and international Hakone national park in the dishes and the "in flight" exfoothills of Mt Fuji and the cul- perience leaves other carriers
trailing far behind. The new business lounge for passengers connecting at Istanbul to Tokyo will leave you breathless and for me is the finest of its kind in the world. For best fares visit www.turkishairlines.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com