I had a better day than you did

That's not an idle boast. I'll put money on the fact that today was a very good day for me. That it's a Monday for the rest of you makes it an even surer bet.

Today was one of the key days of the entire trip. I had set up a specific set of activities that depended on many transit connection, good weather and a little bit of luck. If it paid off it would be one of those all time unforgettable days. If things didn't go according to plan I would have inevitably been disappointed.

The day started at 8 AM. I checked out of the Sakura Hotel and made my way to Shinjuku Station to catch the 8:53 Odakyu Romance Car to Hakone.

It was damp and cold with a light drizzle but the rain was supposed to be gone by mid afternoon and it was supposed to clear up as well.

As expected for a Monday morning commute, the train from Ikebukuro was crowded but not unbearable. Fortunately I was traveling light. I just had my day pack (with one change of clothes) and my camera bag.

Arriving at Shinjuku I made my way to the Odakyu line but not before picking up a breakfast bento, some pastries and a can of cold coffee (Wonda, of course).

The Romance Car is Odakyu's name for their express train from Tokyo to the Hakone hot springs resort area which is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations. I had picked up a Hakone Free Pass yesterday which included a return ticket on the Odakyu line as well as free travel on all of the different vehicles in the Hakone region (and discounts on other attractions). The pass was around 75$ Can.

I would be spending the night in a Ryokan (an old fashioned Japanese inn) in Hakone Yumoto.