Hakone 箱根

Hakone is a town at Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, were Mount Fuji is located.
On our way to the park, we were able to see Mount Fuji on the highway, through the clouds in an overcast weather.  Once we arrived in the park, we were not able to see it due to weather.

Mount Fuji


We took a boat ride in Lake Ashi, a.k.a. Hakone Lake.



The boat took us to the bottom of the Hakone Ropeway.  The first section going up, you can see the town below.


Midway through the ride, we entered a sea of clouds, and strong winds was rocking the tram.  We can hardly see the tram behind us.


We stopped at Owakudani Valley, where there were hot springs (yes, with strong sulfur odor).  We ate black egges, which were supposedly cooked in hot spring waters.


Back down, we had lunch in the old town of Hakone, which is a few hundred years old.


The metal plates on the street floors had interesting meanings, but I was concentrated on taking good photos that I missed the tour guide's explanation.





As in any tourist areas, there are many stores that sell souvenirs.

Asakusa 浅草

Our next stop is Asakusa, the heart of Old Tokyo.

The entrance to temple area is Kaminarimon 雷門.


Backside of Kaminarimon


A line of stores on Nakamise-Dori leads to the main temple.




Hōzōmon 宝蔵門, second entrance to Sensō-ji 浅草寺 temple grounds has another huge lantern.


Backside of Hōzōmon


Holy water


Holy smoke


Sensō-ji 浅草寺




Inside Sensō-ji


Looking out to Hōzōmon from inside Sensō-ji


Tourists


Hōzōmon and Pagoda

Tokyo Imperial Palace (皇居, Kōkyo)

We arrived at Narita Airport in the afternoon of June 17th, 2012, and spent the rest of the day in a shopping mall in Narita.

The next morning, Mary and I took a walk around Hilton Narita Airport, and after some winding hills with dense bamboo trees, we arrived at a rice field.


After breakfast, our tour bus took us into Tokyo, heading first to the Imperial Palace.

Eitai Bridge, 永代橋


The bus stopped at the Imperial Palace Park, on the East side of the palace. The park is filled with beautiful pine trees.


In the park stands the status of Kusunoki Masashige, a 14th century warrior remembered for his loyalty to the Emperor.


As we approach the palace gates, a surveyor was taking measurements of the palace grounds, but unlike field engineers in the US, he wears a black suit and white shirt.
 

Right at the palace main gate is Nijubashi Bridge, with the palace in the background. This is one of the most popular photo location in Japan.


As we were taking photos there, we were told that Emperor Akihito is leaving the palace soon, and his motorcade will pass by, so we waited.
This guard blew his whistle as soon as I took this photo.  I guess I crossed the imaginary line.


As the motorcade came, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave at the crowd, which were mostly tourists.


Emperor's Motorcade


Tourists


More info on the Imperial Palace here.