Hakone is a lovely mountain resort not far from Tokyo. It lies in the mountains at the base of the Izu Peninsula and is next to Lake Ashinoko. This area is popular for Onsens and is a lovely retreat from busy Tokyo. You can take a boat tour on the lake, eat at one of the soba shops, play golf, take a cable car up one of the mountains, wander the beautiful onsen town of Hakone Yumoto or just relax in an onsen.

Not to be missed is the famous Fujiya Hotel which has had the likes of Marylin Monroe and other foreign dignataries stay there. The building is architecturally stunning and there is a wonderful carp pond and garden to wander around in out the back. Make an excuse to dine there for breakfast and soak up the wonderful atmosphere. Make sure you take your camera.

There is a circular road which leads you up the mountain and around half the lake to go back down another route again. Yumoto and Fujiya hotel are along the way.