Hello to all you Hivers,

this is part 3 of our mini break to Tokyo and the surrounding areas. In this final part we break out of the city and do a bit of sight seeing.

We fancied taking a trip on the Bullet Train or the Shinkansen as its known in Japan.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.19.33 AM.png
Both myself and @millycf1976 really enjoy traveling by train so we had a look at places to go that were not so far so we could manage it in a day. the bullet train is pretty fast , it operates about 320kmh/200mph and could go faster and has been tested to go 443 kmh/275mph.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.19.57 AM.png
So we decided to take the Bullet train to Odawara and see the Castle and then wing it from there.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.20.30 AM.png

Happy @scubahead on the Bullet Train

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.21.16 AM.png
It was an extremely pleasant and relaxing ride with no real sensation of the huge speeds being traveled at and in no time at all we were in Odawara. The Castle was a pretty short walk from the train station so off we went.

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.21.24 AM.png
There has been some form of fortified structure on this spot for over 600 years. While we were at the castle we sat and watched some films on the feudal history and how it related to this area. I would be writing for days if i were to try and go into it in any detail needless to say it's well worth looking up. Japanese history is absolutely fascinating.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.21.41 AM.png

The workmanship in the weapons and armour is absolutely incredible.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.22.06 AM.png
It boggle the mind how skilled they were in the crafting of it all. Beautiful as well even if they were designed for killing.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.22.49 AM.png

Some things are not quite so beautiful 😉

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.21.55 AM.png

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.22.12 AM.png

We spent quite a few hours watching films and wandering through the castle marveling at the armour and swords.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.22.20 AM.png

And goofing around
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.22.01 AM.png

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.22.24 AM.png

Then up to the top of the castle to view the surrounding area. These sites were chosen for a reason.

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.23.19 AM.png

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.23.00 AM.png

The natuaral lay of the land would have given them an advantage in defence and this has always been the case worldwide whenever castles and forts were made. Today it means we get a really cool view of the area though. We realised after a few hours we had time to explore some more so we had a look at the map and decided to go and see what Hakone looked like.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.23.09 AM.png

Hakone

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.23.28 AM.png

We took a regular train to Hakone and quickly realised we could easily have spent a few days in this area with all the natural hot springs or Onsen as well as the shrines and the views of Mt Fuji.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.23.34 AM.png
After a bit of a walk around and a bite to eat we decided to try and view Mt Fuji and take the hill climbing train and then the cable car to the viewing spot.

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.23.43 AM.png

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.24.00 AM.png

UP WE GO!

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.24.29 AM.png
As I mentioned we love trains and this was really cool and possibly the complete opposite of the bullet train. Old, slow, quaint and cute.

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.24.15 AM.png

AND UP!

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.24.55 AM.png

UP UP AND CLIMBING

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.24.50 AM.png

When we arrived at the end of the hill climbing train line we were greeted with amazing views but bad news. It seemed due the the volcanic nature of Mt Hakone it was farting a bit too much so they would not allow the cable cars to continue to the top which is where we would have been able to view Mt Fuji.........ahhhhh Bugger.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.26.01 AM.png
But we really had fun on the trains and had a nice adventure. The views were lovely and the weather was superb. I was not really unhappy.

BACK DOWN WE GO!

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.26.19 AM.png

DOWN

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.26.30 AM.png

Quick Pose

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.26.51 AM.png

DOWN DOWN DOWN

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.26.40 AM.png
After reaching the bottom and headed back to Odawara we caught the Bullet train back to Tokyo and fancied a spot of coffee and cake. As we had dinner plans later that night with friends we didn't want to eat too much so sugar and caffeine was fine

We went to Chatei Hatou which is quite famous for its coffee.

The owner hand selects the cups you will drink out of based upon how he sees you. Decorative red for @millycf1976 and a dash of blue for @scubahead. Cakes were awesome as was the coffee.

Recommend this place if you are in the area.

Dinner and Beer with old friends!

Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.30.20 AM.png

Hightlight of the whole trip was @millycf1976 reuniting with a Japanese friend she used to look after on holidays in Jamaica for many years.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.30.14 AM.png
They had not seen each other for many many years and now she was married and had a little family and it was just the best evening of laughs , food, beers and fun.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.30.29 AM.png

Easily the high point of the whole trip, higher than Mt Fuji would have been 😆
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.30.49 AM.png
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.29.33 AM.png

The food was absolutely divine.
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.29.40 AM.png
Was even better than It looks I promise you that!
Screen Shot 20200804 at 8.29.59 AM.png
And this concludes our Mini Break to Tokyo Japan. If you didn't catch Parts 1 and 2 here they are