DAY FOUR - 11 May 2015.HIROSHIMA-FUJI-HAKONE-TOKYO
Today we go to Tokyo by Bullet Train , seeing couple of tourist spots . enroute The journey by train was from Hiroshima to Shinosaka , change the train and from Shinosaka to Mishima . From Mishima by coach to the places on itinereary for sight seeing and further on to Tokyo.
As we were travelling by bullet train . Kesari had organised our luggage to be sent ahead to Tokyo by courrier so , the hassle of carrying luggage by train was sorted out . It was a very early wake up , before breakfast complete packing , place all our luggage near the reception counter to be handed over to the transporter have breakfast and then on to the Hiroshima Station .
However old habits die hard so despite very early call we were up even earlier for our pre preakfast , early morning , photo session . It was worth it as we had excellent view of Hiroshima from our room .
Dawn in Hiroshima . Seen from our room . Rihga Royal Hotel.
Good Morning Hiroshima . Sunrise seen from our room. Rihga Royal Hotel.
Rihga Royal Hotel.Hiroshima.
Pacela Mall , Hiroshima.From blocked escalators you can see it is too early for it to open . One of the Hotel entry from here as well.
Hiroshima Train Station .
Hiroshima Train Station .
On board Bullet train , between Hiroshima to Shinosaka .
Mount Fuji , view from Bullet train between Shinosaka to Mishima .
Mt. Fuji is the symbol of Japan. It is considered sacred , Has provided a spiritual basis for the Japanese since ancient times. This 12,380 ft high, volcano is world renowned for its symmetry and serenity. From near or far, from plane or train, one cannot look at Mt. Fuji without marveling at its beauty.
From Hiroshima to Shinosaka the distance is about 290 KMs and it was covered in approx. 1hr 40 mts ( 0740 to 0920). The stations enroute were Fukuyama , Okayama,Shin Kobe , on to Shinosaka.
At Shinosaka our next train to Tokyo was at 0940 . Even when planning I just can not imagine if we will ever plan connecting trains with a time gap of ONLY 20 mts. But then it speaks very highly of the punctuality of of their train system . They take tremendous pride that the train timings are maintained to the Second !!!!
From Shinoosaka to Mishima Station the distance is about 400 KMs , covered in 2 hours , (0940 t0 1140). Enroute stations were Kyoto, Nagoya,Hamamastu , Sizukoya and Mishima . During the journey another striking thing was the politeness of the Train stafff/Officials. When ever staff member / official entered our coach , he would stop at the entrance bow to the occupents of the coach , While exiting he would once again turn around , bow and only then go out of the coach .It was really amazing !!
Arrived Mishims Station . From here by coach we go to Mount Fuji viewing point and Hakone Garden.
Our coach was waiting for us at Mishima Station .
Our coach meets us at Mishima station . The Coach for moving around form here onward till Tokyo stay .
From Mishima Station to Mt Fuji Visoters Center (MJVC) for sight seeing as given in itinerary. MJVC is about 54 KMs fom Mishima Station..
Inside Mt Fuji Visitors Center ( MJVC). Small shopping Mall , Eats , information leaflets , available . A 10 mts video promoting MJVC is shown which gives info about various National Parks . Trips to Mt Fuji, Hotsprings etc can be undertaken with MJVC as a base .
MJVC has a viewing cum observation platform . Good view of Mt Fuji .Taking a photo here with Mt Fuji in background is the done thing :-)
At the MJVC there is not much to do or see . It is actually a base / jumping off point for excursions in Yamanashi - Kankou area which covers National Parks , Hot Spring Resorts , Shrines nad Temples , Museums , Trips to Mt Fuji and in season climbing trips of Mt Fuji . I can not understand why Kesari included this point in the itinerary . From here we went to Gotamba Peace Park . For details see comments coloumn of the following photo .
Buddhist Stupa . Gotamba Peace Park
This web site says guardian dogs presented by various countries flank the path to the Stupa . To me they look more like Lions , rather than Dogs
:-)
The one presented by India is definitely a LION :-)
Statue of Guardian Lion presented by India.
Buddhist Stups , Gotamba Pace Park .
Golden Statue of Buddha at Stupa at Gotemba Peace Park .
There are four of them facing Four compass points . and one reclining Statue of Buddha .
Golden Statue of Buddha at Stupa at Gotemba Peace Park .
There are four of them facing Four compass points . and one reclining Statue of Buddha .
Golden Statue of Buddha at Stupa at Gotemba Peace Park .
There are four of them facing Four compass points . and one reclining Statue of Buddha .
After Gotamba Peace Park we proceeded to Hakone National Park , Hakone Terminal and Ashi Lake . Here situation was similar to the one that was at MJVC . Not much to do and just the view of the lake . No other activities were planned at all .
Hakone Kojiri Terminal located to the North of Lake Ashi .More details at http://www.hakone.or.jp/en/480
Lake Ashi at National Park Hakone.
After spending some time at Ashi Lake we proceeded to Devi Fusion Indian Restaurant near Eneos CIAROSS petrol pump on Inner Circular Route Tokyo . A distance of about 100 KMs .
Devi Fusion Indian Restaurant near Eneos CIAROSS petrol pump . Enter here , go inside and then on to first floor .
Devi Fusion Indian Restaurant. Dinner on DAY FOUR.
By then it was time to go to the hotel , check in and take well earned rest and sleep . However could not resist the temptetion to snap some few last photos for Day Four from our hotel room .
View of The Rainbow Bridge from our room in Grand Pacific Le Daiba Hotel.Tokyo.
Night view of Tokyo Bay Area from Our room in Grand Pacific Le Daiba Hotel.Tokyo.
One of the last photos for DAY FOUR.
Tomorrow we do sight seeing of Tokyo.
Here is the link for photo album of China- Japan Trip : Japan: DAY FOUR
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100798393236899222624/albums/6175662275606500145
Please Do read the captions and info given in the comment column of photos.
Also check out mapped position . If you are interested you may even see the street view of the photo.I hope it will be an interesting experience :-)
GOOD NIGHT DAY FOUR.
Excellent compilation....
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