Tokyo 2024 - Day 3

The morning of day 3, we got to enjoy a nice hotel breakfast and a little foot bath outdoors.

We spent the day exploring the scenic beauty of Hakone. Conveniently, the ferry and cable car stations were located right by our hotel. We started the morning with an early ferry ride into the heart of Hakone. This ride is famous for its stunning views of Mt. Fuji, but the overcast weather decided otherwise, hiding the mountain from sight.

Our first stop was the iconic Hakone Shrine, known for its bright red torii gate that many recognize from postcards and Instagram. As expected, there was a long line of tourists waiting for their turn to snap the perfect photo in front of it. We skipped the photo op and took in the shrine's tranquil atmosphere instead.

Next, we took a bus up to the mountain to Gora Station and boarded a trolley leading to the cable cars. By this time, the area was bustling with people. The cable car ride brought us to Owakudani, a volcanic valley famous for its sulfur mines. The sight of the crystallized sulfur and the billowing sulfuric gas spewing from the ground was surreal -- like stepping onto another planet.

Here, we finally got to try the famous black eggs. This had been on Umma's Hakone bucket list for over 30 years. On their honeymoon, Appa didn't buy the eggs for her, citing his practicality and strict budgeting. To this day, she hadn't let him forget it. So, we made sure to try them this time. Despite their striking appearance the eggs tasted, well, just like boiled eggs -- but Umma's satisfaction made it worth it.

After Owakudani, we continued up the mountain by cable car. Per Appa's suggestion, we got off a stop early and decided to walk the rest of the way to our hotel. The trail we found was stunning, lined with vibrant fall foliage. It's amazing what life can bring your way if you embrace a bit of spontaneity. We even got to talk to this NPC-esque old man on the trail about the construction that was going on in the area, making the walk feel like a mini quest.

When we reached our hotel, we went straight to the onsen. Sitting in the outdoor hot springs, surrounded by the crisp autumn air, I felt a deep sense of peace. With no distractions, just my thoughts and the sound of nature, it was one of the most calming moments I've had in a long time.

After dinner, my parents and I played hwatu (go-stop), a traditional Korean game, which I think originates from Japan. It must have made its way to Korea during the occupation. Watching my parents play this game with such skill and ease surprised me. Sometimes I forget they had fill lives before they became a mother and a father. Adulthood has its own rewards, like moments when you discover new sides of the people you think you know best.