18 November 2007
Hakone trip
2007 Nov 18 Filed in: travel
This weekend I am away for a short trip back into nature, to watch the “falling of the leaves”, something many Japanese are very fond of, and to look at some art too. The place I will visit is Hakone, which is an area around lake Ashi about 1.5 hours train east of Tokyo. This area is also known as one of the Tokyo playgrounds, as it is readily accessible to residents of Tokyo and can even be visited on a day trip.
Since I did quite a few things and saw a lot on this trip, I have split into several posts on
- the Hakone open air museum
- something on the “falling of the leaves”
- and practical infos about staying at a ryokan
Falling of the leaves
Japanese are very contemplative and have a sense of appreciation of nature and seasons. In Autumn the trees turn red and yellow and seem to be even more colourful here than they would be elsewhere. The countryside puts on a radiant coat and thousands of people flock to the parks and the country to see the spectacle. Scenes from the Kitano film “Dolls” with its rich colours arejust around corner.
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Staying at a ryokan
2007 Nov 18 Filed in: accommodation
Spending a night in a ryokan, a traditional japanese inn, should be part of every trip to Japan. The inns are best compared with bed and breakfasts in the west. They are family-run businesses and provide a personalized service with a homy atmosphere. It is also a good occasion to meet and talk with some locals.full story ...
Hakone open air museum
2007 Nov 18 Filed in: museum
There are now a few art galleries and museums in the Hakone area, but by far the most interesting the is a Hakone open air museum. Opened in 1969, it was the first of its kind in Japan and is basically a large park with statues from the likes of Henry Moore scattered around. There are also dedicated exhibition halls, the most prominent exhibiting works from Picasso.
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