After arriving at Hakone Yumoto we checked our luggage at the station (all big lockers were taken) and took the train to Gora.  Nice little ride through the mountains.  It’s best if you can get in the front of the line while you wait as otherwise you might not get a seat and will have to stand for 40 minutes.  We got off at Chokokukoen and headed to the Hakone Open-Air Sculpture Museum.  The museum had lots of fun people sculptures but probably my favorite thing was the foot bath!  It felt good after walking around the whole place.  Next, we headed to Gora and caught the cable car up to the ropeway.  Ropeway was fun.  Lots of pretty views (although we couldn’t see Mt. Fuji as it was cloudy).  You go right over the sulfur fields as well which is not pretty but an interesting look into where the hot springs are coming from. Next we boarded a pirate-looking ship boat across the lake.  It was very peaceful and relaxing.  We had planned to go into the reconstructed guardhouse on the other side of the lake but it was closing by the time we got there.  It seems like everything closes pretty early so be aware of that!  We took the bus back to Hakone Yumoto station and had a delicious tempura dinner.  We stayed at the Tonosawa Quatre-Saisons hotel.  We had an awesome view of the river and despite the rain was very beautiful.  We had a nice breakfast before setting off for Takayama.  Be careful though, it’s a dangerous walk from the hotel to the bus stop!  Trip to be continued…