tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88759862385027089.post8948099528786345648..comments2024-03-09T22:39:06.554+00:00Comments on ~ W a y m a r k s ~: Walking the Tokaido - JapanTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641833714036731203noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88759862385027089.post-45448706705490496332017-04-01T23:56:25.894+01:002017-04-01T23:56:25.894+01:00Hello, and thanks for your comment.
The first ti...Hello, and thanks for your comment. <br /><br />The first time I walked the old Tokaido in Hakone I actually got most of my info before going from the 'Rough Guide to Japan.' <br /><br />It's quite easy to get the Odakyu line train from Shinjuku (most signs in the railway stations are in English / Romaji-style Japanese, and station staff often speak some English, or are used to helping foreigners, especially in the big railway stations). From there you can get a train to Hakone-Yumoto, via Odawara (if I remember correctly, the train goes all the way and so you don't need to change). And the first time I did this trip I really didn't speak much Japanese, it was only my second time visiting Japan, and I got by OK just using a small tourist Japanese phrasebook.<br /><br />For the walk itself: I chose to do the opposite of what my 'Rough Guide' recommended which was to walk from Hakone-Yumoto to Moto-Hakone, which took most of the day, and, as I think I described in the article above, it was a bit difficult to find where the old paved part of the Tokaido began. But - the best stretch of the old paved road runs between Hatajuku and Moto-Hakone. The second time I went I got a bus from Hakone-Yumoto to Hatajuku, which is really quick to do (and it halves the walk), and its easy to find the bus stop which is very close to the train station. I like doing the route this way because you get a great view and sense of arrival when you reach Moto-Hakone on foot along the old road. Or you can do what the 'Rough Guide' suggests, which is to take the bus all the way to Moto-Hakone and walk back to Hakone-Yumoto; it's much less steep doing it this way, but the major downside is it does means you start with the best part of the walk first - so I guess it depends what's you think you'd personally prefer. Certainly walking the whole way from Hakone-Yumoto to Moto-Hakone is a long climb, so it can be tiring, but I'd say its worth it for the views and the experience. <br /><br />It's do-able as a long day trip from Tokyo, but if you have more time you can always stay in the Hakone area. There are quite a few guest houses, especially the different Ryokans at the Onsen (hot springs) there, which is a great way to relax after a long day walking!<br /><br />The only other thing I'd say is to be careful what time of year you go, as the walk can feel very different depending on the season. The weather can help or hinder. The first time I did it was in the winter (December-January) when it wasn't too cold or snowy, and I think this helped. In the summer it can be really hot (30-40 degrees C) and humid (80-90% RH), so it might not be quite so much fun in summer (July-Sept), and I can imagine it would be easy to get too hot / dehydrated then. The second time I did it was in the rainy season (May-June). This made it very wet and slippery in places, but it also made it very atmospheric seeing the mist in the trees.<br /><br />I hope that might help. Let me know how you enjoyed it after your trip. Bon voyage!Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11641833714036731203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88759862385027089.post-90353518284289229452017-03-31T21:17:45.346+01:002017-03-31T21:17:45.346+01:00Hello Tim,
I would like to walk the Tokaido route...Hello Tim, <br />I would like to walk the Tokaido route in the next future. Any suggestion on how I can gather the proper information to prepare the trip? Would you say that it is feasible for one who doesn't speak any japanese?<br />Thanks for your reply!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07833121397982926105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88759862385027089.post-17710159614476764412013-02-06T22:20:06.160+00:002013-02-06T22:20:06.160+00:00Many thanks, Leslie. I've been lucky enough to...Many thanks, Leslie. I've been lucky enough to have lived in Japan and I've travelled quite widely there - so, watch this space, plenty more blog posts yet to come on my adventures in Japan!Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11641833714036731203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88759862385027089.post-62218609482123485232013-02-05T01:44:46.395+00:002013-02-05T01:44:46.395+00:00I loved how you made associations with Hiroshige&#...I loved how you made associations with Hiroshige's paintings and the road you traveled. I'm a Japanese Studies major and I found your blog to be very adventurous. LAGonzalezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03706796586923540760noreply@blogger.com