Best places to visit in Hakone, Japan

I have always been continuously fascinated on my travel's to Japan. I grew up in Norway and I do think there are some cultural similarities in Norway and Japan. They are both rather shy but polite people who eats a lot of fish as a starter! Since my partner for the last 4 years is Japanese, I have finally come to see some of these true delights that this country has to offer.

Whenever I travel I like to spend a great amount of time outside the large cities. I feel that large cities are very often too noisy to fully take in the experience. Large cities are also similar to each other across the world. I like to be in a smaller more quiet place, ideally close to some mountains or the ocean where I can imagine how people lived the same way for generations. This is the best vacation for me. I would like to feel relaxed and enlightened afterwards; not stressed and tired.

Some of my most favorite moments on my travels to Japan have been in an area called Hakone. It is located a few hours southwest of Tokyo in a mountainous area.

The Amasake Hut in Hakone.

I felt like I was in a fairytale when I was walking through the woods in Hakone. And after a long quite cold hike in January, a large, wooden, brown hut appears as it always does in the fairy-tales. This place has been there for a long time and it used to be a very simple inn back in the days. You open a large squeaky wooden door and enter into a large room with a number of small ovens and simple wooden tables. There are also two large fire-pits you can sit by and warm your hands and feet (those are always my weak spots). The place is dark and the source of light is mainly from all the wood burning. It has a great tall ceiling and the room is filled with this wonderful wooden, smoky smell. They offer simple but delicious fare, and as the name suggest, the main attraction here is Amasake; A warm, sweet fermented rice drink. It apparently has great health benefits, but most of all it is absolutely delicious. They also serve warm, grilled mochi; a rice paste that is all puffed up; crunchy and yummy with some nori(seaweed)wrapped around it. This is truly a little gem.

Onsen

A Japanese, all natural hot spring, need I say more? After a long hike outside, your body is tired, your feet are cold, what is better than melting into a volcanic tub at your inn?This is also supposed to be good for you. Good against muscle pain, arthritis etc. More importantly; it is one of the most pleasurable experiences you can imagine! You can find public onsen's all over this area. Many hikers stop at a public onsen for a warm bath and then continue on with their hike. I'll switch onsen hopping for bar hopping any day. In many private inns you can get your own private onsen. These are usually located partly outside so it is a winning way to experience a romantic sunrise/sunset.