July 25 – Took the Shinkansen, (bullet train) from Kyoto to Mishima.  It was amazing standing on the platform as they whizzed past. 

I took a bus to a Lake near Hakone. Then, I took another bus to B and B Pension Hakone, where I had my own room. It was a bit more expensive than my usual hostels, but nice for a few nights. I rested and caught up with myself as I was very tired. I put henna in my hair and watched random Japanese television. On walks, I felt there were some powerful portals in the forest there. Found a wonderful traditional restaurant that night to eat.

July 26 – A free shuttle bus goes round to Kowaki-en. That is the other hotel where I did my emailing on the free wifi. I enjoyed sitting in the big seats in the lounge area. I was looking out to the trees with an outstanding view of the forest. I also enjoyed watching the Japanese families going past. This area is well known for the Yunessan. It features hot spring pools and water slides. Many families enjoy these amenities with their blow-up animals and water wings. I didn’t go there, as I went to the Onsen baths where I was staying.

July 27 – After second night in Hakone, I was up early packing. I breakfasted downstairs and met a Japanese family with three children. Yes, Japanese children are the most adorable in the world. Nobody warned me of this before I went to Japan! The oldest boy was called Ewan after Ewan McGregor in Star Wars. They loved Star Wars.  Then to the Onsen bath before it closed at 9 am. To describe the Onsen bath experience. There are stools to sit and wash with a shower head and liquid soaps. After washing, you step into the hot springs bath. It is very hot but gorgeous. Then wash, rinse again, and repeat.  Leaving your clothes and towel in lovely baskets on shelves in the room next door. These baths had a water feature of a waterfall too.  I repeat, I have never been as clean as I was in Japan.

Funny story. The day before, I went to have a bathe. I went to the place I had been to the day before, but didn’t realise that they had been swapped!  The sign had been changed. They swap them every day. The Japanese symbol for men had been put up and it was a men’s Onsen for this day! I was in the changing room. A Japanese man went past in his birthday suit. He politely let me know before any further embarrassment! 

I checked out then headed to Gora, to the start of the cable car. I caught the free bus that loops Hakone.  I put bags into storage and crammed into the cable car with many Japanese people, and when I say crammed…. I mean crammed! We were are all very polite and patient when packed up together! Up we went; the rope car at the top was closed because of windy weather conditions. It had been very windy the night before. I had a quick look out at the look out. Then, I saw across the road some sort of signs for a walking track. Feeling guided to follow this path, I decided to head up. Check-in at the next place was not until three o’clock.

So then I found myself on an uphill, uphill, uphill, through the forest. I was there for a few hours. Found some amazing rock formations, and many words were coming out in LL, and holding different rocks. Beautiful butterflies flew past me. I saw no one else and got to the 24^th marker. I hadn’t gotten any further in sighting anything up the hill. I decided it was time to head back down again. I had done quite a climb.

We went back down and out of this beautiful forest. Then we joined the line to cram back into the cable car with Japanese families and holidaymakers. I got my bags out of storage, and caught a bus to Gorenka. From there I waited on the next bus to my destination. I stayed for the next five days to be close to Mount Fuji. This was why I had come to Japan.