At Owakudani - known as Great Boiling Valley; that pole was 1.62m high - my height =( But Owakudani is 1,044m above sea level; weather was so cold here, especially with strong winds

Bought this packet of 6 hard-boiled eggs for about SGD7.00; boiled using the natural hotspring water of Owakundani; said to prolong one's life span by 7 years for every egg eaten... I ate 3, that means extended by 21 years? Oh no, life's a torture...

Egg is called "tamago" in Japanese; the black shell is the after-effect of boiling in a sulphur-rich spring water, hence called "kuro-tamago," or black egg.

Spotted this Hello Kitty in a black egg shell

Lake Ashi

Spotted meadows afar



Pirate ship - sightseeing boat across Lake Ashi

"Fort Siloso"

Sail across the stormy sea (should be lake)

Hakone Shrine

Window to the world

The dog behind was real; it stood there obediently waiting for its owner to finish his meal at a restaurant

2 old women sauntering amidst rows of cedar trees that stretched over 1km (circled in red in case you can't see)

A mini picnic by Lake Ashi (stuff bought from opposite 7-Eleven); just in case you do not know, 7-Eleven originated from Japan; it is called 7-Eleven because in the past, the store used to open from 7am to 11pm

My bento set bought from 7-Eleven (SGD7.00)

On our way back to Tokyo, we upgraded to better train called the Romance Car; reached Tokyo 30mins faster than the normal train (additional SGD15.00)

We reached a rainy Tokyo; here is Akihabara - electronic town of Tokyo; with our heavy backpacks, we were turned away at an inn, and walked a long way before we settled at a Capsule Inn

This is Akihabara Capsule Inn (SGD55.00 per person per nite)

Heard of Capsule Inn? Think of capsule pills. It is very popular in Japan, especially because land is scarce and rent is high. It is not recommended for those with claustrophobia.

Once you checked-in, the inn-keeper will hand you a locker key. The locker key number is the same as your bed number.

Lockers no. 709 & 710

Common toilet

Common bath

In the room - many capsules

Oh this weren't our capsules

View from inside

Goodnight with a shade drawn down

Labels: Japan 12-21 April 2008