After Tokyo, we went down to Hakone for a night, about an hour and a half south. This was certainly our most chaotic morning, trying to find the track for the “RomanceCar” train, lugging all of our bags through large & hectic Shinjuku train station, getting misdirected multiple times, finally making it in a full sweat with just a few minutes to spare. The boys weren’t happy with me, putting it mildly.
Once we got to Hakone, we went to the Open Air Museum there. Such a great spot for kids – climbing structures, foot soaking baths, stain glass towers, etc. – plus beautiful sculptures and a whole building of Picasso works. Loved it and wish we could have stayed longer.
After the museum, we went up the mountain to enjoy the views of Mt. Fuji and the thermal vents coming from the mountain.
Then we went to stay at our first ryokan, a traditional inn, with an onsen (hot spring baths) and a traditional dinner.
Fosters on the Fly 