wendy's Reviews Page 15/19

If you come to Odaiba in Tokyo, you really can't miss this place at night! DiverCity isn't just a shopping mall. The most eye-catching attraction is the 1:1-scale Unicorn Gundam statue at the entrance. Standing in front of it in person is truly breathtaking!

The Unicorn Gundam also "transforms," with its armor opening and face changing. At night, the lighting effects make it look incredibly cool. The daytime transformation times are **11:00, 13:00, 15:00, and 17:00**, so be sure to plan your time if you want to see the full show!

There's plenty to eat, buy, and browse inside, and it's also a great place to shop for Gundam models, figures, and LEGO. Every time I come to Tokyo, I want to visit again. Gundam fans really won't want to leave!

You have to ride the pirate ship at least once when you visit Hakone! The luxurious ship looks very impressive, and as it sails across Lake Ashinoko, you can enjoy views of the lake and mountains along the way. When the weather is good, you may even get to see Mount Fuji.

My favorite part was passing Hakone Shrine, where you can see the very popular “Torii Gate on the Lake” from the water. The angle is completely different!

The roughly 30-minute ride is just right. You can enjoy the breeze and scenery, or sit down, rest, and have a cup of coffee. Plan Hakone Shrine, the pirate ship, the ropeway, and Owakudani together—they're all along the way and fun!

When you visit Hakone, don't just focus on sightseeing. Taking a boat ride and zoning out for a while is also great〜

When you come to Hakone, Lake Ashinoko is a great final stop on your trip! Cruising slowly across the lake on a sightseeing boat, you’re surrounded by lush green mountains, and when the weather is clear, you may even get to see Mount Fuji. The whole scene is so soothing.

After spending the whole day exploring Hakone, once I got to Lake Ashinoko, I suddenly didn’t feel like rushing anywhere. I just wanted to sit by the lake, enjoy the breeze, and take in the scenery. The water was very calm and the breeze was gentle. Even time seemed to slow down.

If Hakone is a journey, then Lake Ashinoko is the most relaxing ending. You don’t need to plan much. Just sitting there and zoning out is already worth it.

You really can't miss this super fun open-air museum when visiting Hakone! Japan's first open-air museum to combine nature and art, it has around 120 sculptures scattered throughout its lush green grounds. You can admire them while strolling around, without any of the pressure of visiting a traditional art museum. It's even more pleasant when the weather is nice. The route is clearly marked, and about 1.5–2 hours is just right for a full loop. The especially popular “Symphonic Sculpture” is absolutely gorgeous in photos, with the light shining through the glass against the blue sky!

You have to ride the ropeway at least once when visiting Hakone! It's about 4 kilometers long and travels high above the valleys, with lush greenery all along the way and a bird's-eye view of the extremely popular Owakudani. As the gondola slowly moves along, the volcanic landscape with white smoke rising appears right before your eyes. It really feels like you're flying over Hakone!

The best part is that the Hakone Freepass includes the ropeway, so you can enjoy transportation and attractions together, making it a really great value! When the weather is good, the views are wide open, and you might even see Mount Fuji. This trip through the sky is absolutely worth it!

If you're visiting Hakone, I recommend making time to explore Hakone Gora Park. Japan's oldest French-style garden has different flowers to enjoy in every season, as well as a beautiful fountain. Every photo you take feels like a vacation.

The biggest surprise was the botanical garden, which is filled with all kinds of tropical plants. It's larger than expected, and you can easily spend quite a while exploring it. When you get tired, sit by the fountain, look at the flowers, and enjoy the breeze. It's so relaxing!

Admission is JPY 650, or free with the Hakone Freepass. It's a great place to slow down while visiting Hakone and is worth a visit!

One of the most pleasant surprises on this trip to Hakone was Hakone Motomiya!

It's a small shrine at the summit of Mount Komagatake. Although it isn't large, the scenery is every bit as impressive as at the major attractions. The weather was perfect that day, with blue skies, white clouds, Mount Fuji, and beautiful views of Hakone below. The view was truly soothing.

Standing in front of the torii gate with the mountain breeze blowing, I instantly felt completely relaxed. No wonder this place is known as a power spot.

The ropeway makes it easy to get up the mountain. Be sure to add it to your itinerary when the weather is nice—the views from the summit really make it hard to leave!

When you come to Hakone, riding the mountain railway is a little trip in itself. The train travels from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora, winding its way up the mountainside as the scenery outside changes with the elevation, with Hakone's lush green forests all around.

Then, transfer to the cable car to Sounzan. Looking out the window, the view gradually opens up, making the whole journey both relaxing and full of mountain charm.

**A trip to Hakone isn't just about the attractions—even the journey there is worth savoring!**

Hakone Sekisho feels like stepping into a page from an Edo-period history textbook! It was once an important checkpoint in Hakone, where the shogunate strictly inspected travelers, especially to prevent weapons and women from entering Edo. The buildings have now been restored to their original appearance, and you can climb up to the lookout post. The stairs take a bit of effort, but from the top you can take in sweeping views of Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains. On a clear day, you can even spot Mount Fuji's white peak in the distance. Afterward, you can stroll along the lakeshore and visit the museum for a relaxing outing with a touch of history. It's easy to include on your itinerary and highly recommended for anyone who enjoys historic sites!

How could you visit Hakone and miss Owakudani, a place filled with the “power of the earth”!

This is Hakone's most iconic volcanic landscape. Along the way, you can see wisps of white smoke rising from the valley, and there's a faint smell of sulfur in the air, as if the earth itself were breathing. Owakudani is also said to be one of Hakone's famous power spots. Standing before the spectacular volcanic terrain, you really can feel a mysterious and awe-inspiring force. When the weather is clear, you can also see Mount Fuji in the distance, and the view is truly spectacular. You have to see it for yourself when you visit Hakone!