Oh my, I've been exploring the room and there are Kimono's! And, a mat for the floor (traditional Japanese sleeping arrangement), a nail dryer in the closet (think dressing room), a slick valet box for deliveries (newspaper, awaits us now). The shades in the room drop to the floor with a push of a button, and the drapes open with another. This is the most high tech room I've ever seen. There is a command center next to the bed that controls the temperature, phone, lighting for the entire room or "mood lighting" (think dimmer), the TV, clock & alarm, and a satellite phone for the room as well! And, there are phones everywhere, even in John's beloved toilet area! The 60" TV, a is an entire AV system, with slots for a memory card; CFI/II, SM/xD, MS/PRO, SD/MMC, a VGA input and both audio and video plugs... plus the CD player... also a fax and copy machine hidden next to the desk. I'm figuring we would much run the world from here. The room is a technological wonder!
7:15 update... well we did it! John got directions on just how to get to Mt. Fuji, and after grabbing maps, and a few written directions, we were off! First step is a cab from the hotel to Tokyo Central Station to purchase a ticket on the Bullet Train. That took some maneuvering, but I'm fine asking questions, so we hopped into the information center and booked our Green, reserved seats from Tokyo Central to Odawara Station.
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Each train car section (18 in all) has a team of
pink clad cleaners for every major stop. |
The Bullet Train was fantastic! Immaculately clean, in fact there are legions of women in pink that board the train after the last person has exited in Tokyo, and they clean, and clean, and then they change the head rests! Our 40 minutes wizzing by, literally, as we were going about 230+ mph. We did have a slow start as we had a couple of stops before we hit our stride, but it was a quick enjoyable trip. Arrived at Odawara and had been advised that we needed to go to track 11 for our next segment, Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto, four stops, about 30 minutes, which is the end of the line. Change again to track #3, and the Hokone Tozan train; new tickets and to continue up to Gora for Mt. Fuji. Hokone Tozan took forever... and had two switchbacks where the train had to reverse directions. By the time we boarded we'd gone from lovely big seats with footrests and fresh headrests to bench seats, if available on the overcrowded train. I think it was 3 or 4 stops before I got a seat (about 30 minutes), and we continued up and up for about an hour total to Gora. Ok, here's Nirvana! Mt. Fuji has got to be just around the corner... but no, not really...next was a cable car with 4 stops to Sounzan - again over crowded, but standing gave you a better view. Finally to Sounzan, but not the first glimpse of Mt. Fuji. Now I'm into it, I'm not going to quit! Next is the Hakone Ropeway (gondolas), so up we go... by this time you've been led on with the promise of views since Honoke, so you're thinking shell game. But continue we did... up the Ropeway, over the hot springs and up to the top of the hill, and suddenly there it is!
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| Mt. Fuji! |
The view takes your breath away - it's magnificent. AND it's a clear enough day that we have some stunning pictures. We quit at the Ubako station. JM looked for a better vantage point, but there was none. And by now it was about 4:15 so time for a U-turn and back down the mountain and reverse the order from uncomfortable to comfortable and we made it back to the hotel by about 7:20. Made reservations at Peter's on the 26th floor for dinner, but first a nice glass of Japanese Yamazaki single malt Scotch, and a quick catch up with you all! The way I figure it, the 5 good photos cost us about $300 in train tickets and 6 hours... all worth it! We've been to Mt. Fuji!
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