Multi-vehicle transit

Upon re-arrival in Hakone Yumoto Station I immediately switch from the local train to the Hakone Tozan Train which commences its 45 minute ascent of the mountain via a route of switchbacks offering passengers increasingly amazing views of the surrounding countryside. As we gain altitude the colors of the surrounding foliage changes from solid green to the multi-hued riot of colors that is a familiar sight to all Canadians.

The train makes a number of stops as it climbs. One of the stops features the Hakone Open Air Museum. A globally renowned collection of outdoor sculptures from the likes of Rodin, Picasso, etc... . The museum is set outside on multiple acres on the side of the mountain and is considered one of the most dramatic places in the world to see art. I decide to give this a pass even though it does sound intriguing. I don't have enough time today, maybe tomorrow.

The train arrives at Gora and virtually all of the passengers immediately get in line for the Gora to Souzan cable car (basically another train car on a rope cable that gets pulled up a incline for a kilometer or two. Finally once we reach Souzan we switch one more time to a ropeway gondola that hoists us up over the ridge to Owakudani, the valley of the boiling hells.

Owakudani is famous for its sulfuric hot spring and its spectacular view. Unfortunately when I arrive all I can see is a large formation of clouds some 25 KM in the distance. Is that all there is?