Breakfast at Yayoiken
So we found our most favorite breakfast place back during our first trip to Tokyo. Walking in the rain under our Hotel 88 umbrella, we reached the restaurant after around 15 minutes. Thankfully, there was no queue and we did not have to wait outside.
I ordered the same thing I remembered eating, the ginger pork soup with rice and fried fish. In that cold weather, it is most comforting to have such hot soup to warm the stomach. The quality and taste is still pretty much as awesome. The husband ordered a katsu don with egg which is delicious as well. Their fried potato is also hot and crispy. Everything was served relatively quickly, and so we were quite on time.
Taking the bullet train to Odawara Station
The lovely staff of Hotel 88 Shinsaibashi was really nice and guided us to where we could take the lift down to the station. Otherwise, we had to lug our luggage down the stairs in the rain. Thankfully, the rain became a drizzle by the time we left the hotel.
At Shin-Osaka station, we bought our shinkansen ticket at the ticketing machine. We bought the Hikari train which is slightly slower, because if we got Nozomi, we still have to do a transfer to another train. I really wonder what happens if people actually miss their stop and stuff since we can only take that one particular train reflected on the ticket. Then would they get stuck at another station and require to buy another ticket?
Our train ride was around 2.5 hours. We had a mini food tasting session of all the doraemon-look-alike corn snack! It is crazy how the flavored snack taste so similar to the actual thing. Think of takoyaki in a snack form. The winner flavour is still the corn potage.
From Odawara station, head to the Hakone Tozan line and take 4 stops down to Hakone Yumoto station. Here, you take the T bus at the left of exit. The website of the hotel includes a video guide so you know exactly where to go.
You can either tap your pasmo card, or take a ticket at the start. It will indicate the station you board at, with ours being 0. Later on the screen, it will indicate the amount you have to pay if you alight at that station. Once again, you either tap your pasmo to deduct the money or pay that amount to the bus captain (actually put in the machine) when you alight the bus. Our stop is at "Shinanoki Hakone Highland Hotel". Taking the bus on the winding route made me so dizzy and pukey.
Shinanoki Ichinoyu - A traditional Ryokan
We reached around 4pm and checked in swiftly. There is no lift, and so we had to carry our luggage up the steps. Upon entering the room, we did experience what online reviewers have feedback; the toilet does have a strong urine smell. Thankfully, it is located at a separately corner. However, I really did not like the darkness in the toilet.
The entire room looks smaller than expected, and we already chose the bigger version. One interesting thing is definitely the heated table. There is a hole below the table so you can stretch your legs out and enjoy the heat in the cold weather.
Another special feature about the room is the private onsen we have to ourself! It is definitely crazy because we had to shower in the cold before getting into the hot nice water. The husband liked that experience, but I was jumping like mad. Could not really shower in peace because damn cold! Sitting in the onsen together is nice though but not as romantic as I envisioned. The extreme temperature kills off any mood lol.
Shabu Shabu Dinner at their restaurant
Dinner will be served at 6pm. Unfortunately, if you check in later than 7pm, they won't be able to serve your dinner.
Ours was a top-up Kobe beef set. The taste of the food are generally quite delicious, but I find it not satisfying enough. I think more pork/meat might be better. The steam bowl is really yummy though, and lastly, the QQ udon is really delicious in the soup.
One thing very special here is their tofu. I cannot even describe how it feels like in the mouth. It is extremely smooth, like custard pudding texture, and has a strong soybean taste. For dessert, pear sherbet was served. Such a pleasant and unique flavour.
After a relaxing dinner in our yukata, we ended the night with some television and green tea at our heated table.
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