Here we come Komagatake! The line started operating in 1963.The tram was on its way to the peak with Lake Ashi observing below.
The full day trip was such a delight with this ropeway experience concluding the tour. I would have imagined the view to be even more fantastic with the mountains, Mount Fuji, waters, different shades of green, and clear blue skies. Nonetheless, it was still breathtaking for us as the clouds slowly enveloped the tram until zero visibility, which by the way, could carry 101 persons. Say what? Yes, 101 … well, at least for Japanese people, our tour guide kind of clarified.
It is also known as the Hakone Komagatake Aerial Tramway. The photo on the ticket is the best case view when taking the ropeway.101 persons can fit here in this tram? What do you think? And it takes 7 minutes from base to summit.Our eyes feasted with all the shades of green while traveling up the ropeway.That is right, 1327 meters above sea level.
At the summit, we were met by thick fog and plains. As this was said to be composed of hardened lava flow, plants could not grow well especially trees. We were given less than an hour from the moment the tram left the base station and we should be able to take the second-to-the-last tram ride at 16:50 from the summit back to the base where our bus was parked.
The pathway to the peak starts. It is said that since the area was a hardened lava flow, trees could not grow.
I was excited to see what was on top of the mountain because it was not really mentioned before the tram ride. Adventure! I just love adventure! And also add that effect of mystery caused by the fog. But before climbing the hill, we completed our series of jump shots just outside the summit station to seal the trip.
Courtesy of Mikee
Courtesy of Mikee
And now, I will just let the photos take you to the hills. The hills are alive… …with the sound of muuusic!
Mysterious. Yes, what’s up there? Let’s go and check it out.Looking back at the start of the footpath. The summit station was to the right side. I was still on my way to the peak.The summit station of the ropeway already from a distance. Very foggy!Hello? Anybody there? Suddenly, it was again zero visibility towards the peak.Okay, I was able to blow the clouds away for some time. I could see a glimpse of the peak again.I believe I was halfway to the peak now. I really like how the steps were made, it was not cemented.I turned my back to where I came from again and I can still see the frame of the summit station of the ropeway.Aha, I am coming! Quite steep but I can do this!Finally, at the top. That is the Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine.The peak is 1356 meters above sea level. This shrine is now admired together with the Hakone Shrine in Lake Ashi.In 1964, Yasujiro Tsutsumi, a Japanese politician and businessman, donated this hall of worship called Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine.Hmm, I think this should have been our entrance but instead, we exited on this side after saying goodbye to the Hakone Mototsumiya Shrine.I just passed by the red Torii gate and I really did not know where this path would lead to. But went anyway.I wanted to see how the stairs ahead of me looked like but the clouds were just chasing me!Are we there yet? But it looked like just a square area. Oh, there’s still a pathway to the right. Carry on…When you see only 70% of me. Courtesy of Mikee.
And that pathway to the right led back to the summit station. Whew! We thought we were going to be lost considering the fact that we did not have all afternoon to find our way back and catch the 16:50 tram ride. But exploration was fun, it won’t be this fun if the fog did not try to play with us.
And our 16:50 tram back to the base has arrived. It should be the last trip bound to the summit.
Let me present to you the 50-minute adventure in just a 46-second video from ropeway back to the ropeway:
After basking in the splendor of nature, I was back to the reality that I need to retrieve my almost-lost phone from the Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. Find the full story here.
