Hakone Travel Pass

We purchased a Hakone travel pass that allowed us to use the local buses, trains, funicular railway, aerial gondolas and cruise boats. The train took us through scenic national park from Miyanshita Station (altitude 419 metres) to Gora (altitude 555 metres). There we changed to the funicular which took us to Sounzan (altitude 755 metres). 

We hadn't had breakfast expecting to find shops or cafes but the only place for a decent coffee was from a small converted Airstream caravan. Our next leg was by what the Japanese call a "ropeway", which is a scary term for the enclosed gondolas suspended on twin steel cables. There were seats for about 10 people in each gondola and it felt secure even though at times we were 200 metres above the ground.

At Owakudani (altitude 1044 metres) the area is an active volcanic zone with sulphurous fumes, hot springs and volcanic ash. The walking trails in the area have all been closed for months because of the fumes. From viewing points we could look down on the area where steam and fumes were rising. Trees have lost their leaves due to the heat from the steam and fumes. This is the closest we are likely to ever get to an active volcano and it was spectacular in itself, but in the other direction we had a clear view of Mount Fuji. 

From Owakudani we went down the other side of the volcano on the gondolas which took us to Togendai-ko (altitude 741 metres). We had to walk down several sets of steps to Lake Ashi to board the cruise boat which sailed the length of the lake. We completed our circuit by catching a bus back to our hotel.