Hi, everyone! This week, let’s visit Owakudani to see Mount Fuji, shop for Japanese snacks, and stay at the comfy Guesthouse Gaku in Hakone🗻❤️🍘
Since the Sakura season is coming, I feel like writing about Japan. This year, the Sakura is expected to start blooming on 21 March 2024, while the full bloom will be on 28 March 2024.
If you’ve never been to Japan, besides Sakura season, of course, you can’t miss Mount Fuji! But where are the best places to see Mount Fuji?
During my 14-day Japan tour last year, I went to Hakone for a quiet, beautiful view of Mount Fuji.
Besides being famous for its stunning Mount Fuji views, Hakone is also known for premium hot spring resorts (onsen) and beautiful nature 🌿✨
Oh, did I tell you that there’s a big Japanese snack store near the Mount Fuji viewing area? OMG until today I regret not buying more snacks there… I’ll tell you why later! 🤧🤧🤧
As for the accommodation, I stayed at Guesthouse Gaku when in Hakone. It’s not a hotel but I like my room and the view from the rooftop.
I’m okay with that because I joined a budget tour, and being a famous town, the accommodation prices in Hakone are high.
Okay, where should we start our Hakone tour? Let’s start with Fuji-san! 🗻🗻🗻
Japan Trip: Beautiful Mount Fuji View in Owakudani, Hakone
I know Japan is beautiful, but I wasn’t prepared for this! I see photos of people wearing kimonos online, but not many posts about how beautiful Mount Fuji is in Hakone, Japan.
There are some Mount Fuji viewing points in Hakone, such as Owakudani, Hakone Skyline Road, Otome Pass, etc.
The photo above is in Owakudani, Hakone. You can reach the area by tram and cable car.
I’m not sure about the other Mount Fuji viewing points as I only went to Owakudani. However, I was very satisfied because…
I got to ride a cable car and see the volcanic crater
The Mount Fuji view in Owakudani, Hakone is very beautiful and satisfying!
💖 15% OFF ALL TOURS! Click below and enter my discount code: 💖
CLARA15
Click “Add Promo Code / Voucher” and enter CLARA15 when you checkout at onelifeadventures.com
Also read: “Treat Yourself at Rock Bar and AYANA Resort & Spa, Bali”
Also read: “Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Bich Dong Pagoda & Obama’s Bun Cha”
Black Eggs and Shopping Japanese Snacks in Owakudani, Hakone
Okay, the second most important thing to do after seeing Mount Fuji in Owakudani, Hakone, is… to sample the boiled black eggs and shop for Japanese snacks!
You can find boiled black eggs and various Japanese snacks in the Owakudani souvenir shop. The shop is huge, you won’t miss it!
Actually, we can’t take photos inside the souvenir shop, but I took a few with my phone… Shh 🤭
Oh ya, about the black eggs. The fresh, boiled black eggs in Owakudani are actually normal chicken eggs, but they’re boiled in water that contains sulfur and iron.
When it comes to Japanese snack shopping, you should buy whatever you want right away as you may not see them in other cities.
For example, this kawaii (cute) Fujisan Club cookie. I only bought 1 box because I thought I would see them in other cities.
WRONG. I only saw them in Hakone! I should have bought the strawberry and matcha flavours too, it’s so nice…
Besides cookies, this shop also has chocolates, nuts, face masks, black egg snacks, fresh-boiled black eggs, keychains, etc…
I know it sounds very touristy, but you haven’t been to Japan if you don’t go crazy shopping for Japanese snacks, skincare, and souvenirs.
My sister even bought a small luggage just for her shopping items😁😁😁
So, if you want to have more space in your luggage for your own shopping, what can you bring for your family and friends? The charcoal face mask is a good idea 😉
💖 15% OFF ALL TOURS! Click below and enter my discount code: 💖
CLARA15
Click “Add Promo Code / Voucher” and enter CLARA15 when you checkout at onelifeadventures.com
Alright, we’re done with Mount Fuji sightseeing in Owakudani, Hakone, Japan! On our way back, the sunset view from the ropeway was beautiful…
So, what’s next? We’re not done exploring Hakone! Next, I’ll take you onboard a pirate ship to cross Lake Ashi and enjoy Hakone’s beautiful view!
Also read: “Cycling Tour and Cooking Demo in Udaipur, India”
Also read: “Why Couples Should Travel to Udaipur, Venice of the East”
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise: Boarding a Pirate Ship Across Lake Ashi
Can we just add Sunny logo on that pirate ship? 🤩🤩🤩#onepiece
Before we return to our guesthouse for a group dinner, we boarded a pirate ship and sail across Lake Ashi. It was autumn and the weather was getting cold.
Luckily, we can find vending machines that sell hot drinks in Japan! Starting to get bored with milk tea, I chose hot honey lemon tea 🍋🍵💖
That was a nice experience! After the Hakone sightseeing cruise, all of us were tired and hungry. We took a bus to the Guesthouse Gaku, our accommodation for one night.
Yaaay! Can’t wait for the traditional Japanese Family Nabe (hot pot) dinner!
We had a hearty dinner of udon, beef, tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables in curry soup, cooked in a hot pot! It was so fun because all of us took part in cooking for the dinner.
Afterward, we played Truth or Dare. Being a copywriter has its advantage… I could think of an unexpected event that happened in real life – that people thought that it was a lie 🤭🤭🤭
Also read: “Travel to India, Is It Safe? This is How I Feel”
Also read: “Cyprus Day Trip: Troodos Mountains Jeep Safari Tour”
Guesthouse Gaku, a Budget Accommodation in Hakone
I stayed at Guesthouse Gaku, Hakone for one day. It was a budget accommodation hence the rooms are small and the staircases are narrow.
Luckily, I joined this Japan group tour when I was young, so it’s no problem for me… To be precise, I had many kind, new friends who helped me carry my luggage, hehe!
If you come alone, don’t worry! The staff at Guesthouse Gaku, Hakone are very helpful.
They will help carry your luggage to your room happily, without expecting a tip (in Japan, tipping is discouraged).
💖 15% OFF ALL TOURS! Click below and enter my discount code: 💖
CLARA15
Click “Add Promo Code / Voucher” and enter CLARA15 when you checkout at onelifeadventures.com
If one day I come to Hakone again, I would love to stay at a nice resort with onsen (hot spring bath) overlooking Mount Fuji or nature…
Not sure how many thousands of ringgits I should prepare! As I shared before, the accommodation in Hakone is very expensive.
The budget accommodations around here are guesthouses… the rest are hotels and resorts priced minimum of around RM500/night (more than 100 USD).
Although my room at Guesthouse Gaku, Hakone was small, I liked it! It was a traditional-design room, with futons and AC.
The guesthouse doesn’t have any bathrooms attached to the room, there were two communal bathrooms – one for males, and another for females.
I only took a shower once, before I slept at night. In the morning, I only washed my face and brushed my teeth as it was FREEZING cold~
Luckily I came during autumn. It was very cold and I didn’t sweat much when I was sleeping at night, so it was ok to skip one bath 😛
Other things that I like about Guesthouse Gaku, Hakone are the rooftop area and the location. I could see beautiful views or soaked under the sun to warm my body on the rooftop.
As for the location, the guesthouse is located in a neighbourhood area. It’s very peaceful and surrounded by greens.
Also read: “Japan Temple Stay: Daimyoo-in, Koyasan”
Also read: “Sake Tasting, Hida Beef, and Temple Stay in Takayama”
Alright, everyone! Thank you for joining my “free walking tour” around Hakone, Japan! We’ve seen Mount Fuji, shopped for Japanese snacks, boarded a pirate sheep and sailed across Lake Ashi in Hakone.
We also stayed one night at Guesthouse Gaku, Hakone! I hope you enjoy reading my blog 😊 Also, it’s not too late to book your Sakura-season holiday in Japan! 🌸🌸🌸
💖 15% OFF ALL TOURS! Click below and enter my discount code: 💖
CLARA15
Click “Add Promo Code / Voucher” and enter CLARA15 when you checkout at onelifeadventures.com
