Looking back, I don't think I did Owakudani and ropeway (which, to my mind, is more of a cable car than the Hakone Tozan Cable Car that's actually a funicular railway) to and out of there sufficient justice. So here's dedicating a whole photo-essay this time around to them; one cobbled from photos I took not only over two days of my recent visit but also a few of the shots that I took four years ago!
A clear view of the sulphuric Owakudani valley
from the Hakone Ropeway in 2012
The scenic view from the ground at Owakudani,
again back in 2012
Can you believe how much smokier it was on
my second visit to the same area four years on?! :O
And it was somewhat chilling to look up at the Tamago Tea Shop and
that I had visited in 2012 but now are closed off to the public
This especially when I had seen that area looking
so much greener and fertile just four years ago
Understandably, I think, the likes of Puppet Ponyo were
happy enough to stay close to the ropeway station that
stands at the edge of the super deep and steamy valley!
When we went again to Owakudani the day after,
it all was pretty clear once more!
And yes, that really is Fuji-san peeking out over
Owakudani, as viewed from the Hakone Ropeway! :)
7 comments:
Wonderful shots. What an interesting place to explore.
For me it hard to picture Japan having Mountains. But I know there part of ring of fire.
Coffee is on
Hi Carver --
Thanks, and it is indeed! :)
Hi peppylady --
Would you believe that about 72% of Japan is mountainous? Wikipedia says so! :b
Hi YTSL,
An interesting compare and contrast essay which I thoroughly enjoyed. As you know I have little sense of smell for some things. Were the cloths for covering one's face sented??? I didn't notice.....
Hi sarah sbk --
Yup, the cloths were indeed scented with something that smelt faintly antiseptic. Did you keep any of the ones you were given? Somehow, I've ended up with three -- and have put them in the drawer designated for medical stuff here in my Hong Kong flat. ;)
Hi YTSL,
This combination of images from two different visits creates a memorable integrated impression of a somewhat elemental setting. Your travel companion, Puppet Ponyo, looks a little uneasy posing near the edge of the volcanic cauldron. I'm sure she felt more comfortable in the ryokan with her travel party.
This photo-essay confirms my impression of Owakudani that I experienced years ago: a setting for a stark drama that could be set in feudal Japan...Or, your photo of the tea shop could be a shack in a Taoist Hermit's kingdom, or in my HK film fanboy's mind - the mountain setting in Master of the Flying Guillotine...Well, in anybody's mind, your photo of the cone of Mount Fuji transcends all.
Bill
Hi Bill --
Thanks so much for your eloquent words. I don't know if you realize it but I often look forward to reading your lovely comments on my blog posts. :)
Puppet Ponyo was indeed more comfortable at the ryokan than at Owakudani. On the whole, I think she was happier indoors than outdoors on this trip! ;)
Re Mount Fuji: the day before I saw its top most bit, I saw what I like to think of as one of its "shoulders". Even then, the sight was pretty awe-inspiring. When you see Fujisan in real life, you totally understand why the Japanese consider it a holy mountain. It's that beautiful and awesome.
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