Tokyo Day 5 Feb 17 2009

Day 5 : Gora (Hokone) to Gotemba Premium Outlets and back to Tokyo Disneyland.

The earliest bus available from Gora to Gotemba depart at 940am (arriving at 1050am). This gave me the opportunity to have a go for another round of Onsen at the hotel early in the morning.

After checking our at 9am, we walked up the slope for around 5-10 minutes to get to Kami Gora station to catch the Hakone Tozan Cable Car back to Gora.


Pic 1 : Hike up to Kami Gora Station from Hyatt Hakone.


Pic 2 : Hakone Tozan Cable Car

As we did not want to miss the 9.40am bus ( if we do, we will need to wait for another 2 hour for the next bus ) we ensured that we arrive at Gora station at 9.15am. Since we have some time, we walk around the station took some photos and bought some souvenirs. The building around Gora reminds me of the typical house shown in anime.



Pic 3 : Shops around Gora


Pic 4 : Shops around Gora


Pic 5 : Shops around Gora


Pic 6 : Shops around Gora taken from the area where we waited for the bus.


Pic 7 : This hotel is directly opposite the bus stand for Gora -> Gotemba premium outlet.


Pic 8 : Bus number/stand to board from Gora to Gotemba Premium Outlets


Finally, after 1/2 hours wait, the bus finally arrive. Luckily the bus was not so packed when we board so we had seats to ourself. The bus will move about and picks up and drop passengers along the way. I would advice to queue up if you see a long line. The journey from Gora to Gotemba takes around 1 hour. ( Do drop me an email if you would like the Hakone Freepass ride schedule before your trip)


Pic 9 : The bus is here! Finally...

Do stay awake along your journey especially when you are getting close to go Gotemba. On a fine day, you will get a good view of Mount Fuji. If you are driving, do take note as you are going downhill as I came across one spot where you can stop and get a really good view of Mount Fuji for photo snapping. Unfortunately the bus does not stop there so the picture below is the only picture I manage to capture.


Pic 10: Gotemba city & Mount Fuji

We arrive at Gotemba Premium Outlet at 10.50am and immediately place our luggage in a paid locker. The design of the outlet is exactly as what you would see in the US. Do go to the information counter as you are able to get some discount coupons. There are many brands there eg Ralph Lauren, Gap, Levis, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Samatha Thavasa. However, I notice that the only Gap have similar price compared to the outlets in US. Nevertheless, I would recomend to go there if you happen to be in Hakone as you will get a good view of Mount Fuji on a clear day.


Pic 11 : Gotemba Premium Outlets


Pic 12 : Gotemba Premium Outlets


Pic 13 : Gotemba Premium Outlets


Pic 14 : Gotemba Premium Outlets ( more shops on the other side)


Pic 15 : Gotemba Premium Outlets ( Bridge leading to the other section ) Notice Mount Fuji?

As we were hungry , we immediately head off to the Cafeteria located across the bridge. We ordered the famous Gotemba Curry Chicken.

Pic 16 : Gotemba Curry


Pic 17 : Gotemba Premium Outlet


Pic 18 : What happened to Mount Fuji? Now you see it ( Pic 15) Now you don't.
That is why we were so lucky to be able to get a clear view of Mount Fuji the day before and in the morning.


Pic 19 : Crazy crepes. Do try but make sure you have ample time to finish it as the bus do not allow food and drinks on it.

We decided to take the 6pm Asagiri train back to Shinjuku from Gotemba station. After shopping, we took the free shuttle service from Gotemba Premium Outlet to Gotemba station which took around 15min. There is nothing much at Gotemba station and luckily our wait is not that long as it was really cold and windy then.


Pic 20 : Gotemba train station.


Pic 21 : Gotemba train station.


Pic 22 : Asagiri ( bullet train )

We arrive at Shinjuku at around 8pm. As we were heading towards Sheraton Tokyo Bay( Tokyo disneyland hotel) for the night, we decided to have dinner at the station as the journey there would take another 1 hours. Most of the shops are almost closed but we found this small nice cosy restaurant.


Pic 23 : Noodle in Miso Soup

Directions from Shinjuku to Maihama ( Tokyo Disneyland )
From Shinjuku , take the Manunouchi Line from Shinjuku to Aksaka-mitsuke and change to Yurakucho Line from Nagatacho to Shin Kiba. The Akasaka-Mitsuke and Nagatacho station are closeby and within walking distance. From Shin Kiba, change to the JR Maihama line and get off at Maihama.

Travelling in Japan alone for a female is quite safe. At times, you will notice that certain section of the train are for women only during the peak hours.


Pic 24 : Women only carriage

The Disneyland Resort Line is located just opposite the Maihama station exit. Once you exit, you will start to hear music from Disneyland greeting you. The signs leading to the Disneyland Resort line is quite clear. To know which stop to exit if you are staying at a disneyland hotel, do refer to my Sheraton grande Tokyo Bay post.


Pic 25 : Disneyland Resort Line station


Pic 26 : Tokyo Disneyland Resort (Official Disneyland Hotel).


Pic 27 : Handles in the shape of Mickey Mouse

We headed toward Bayside station and at the exit of the station there are free shuttle busses that to ferry the hotel guest to their respective hotel. To get to Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay , board the shuttle at the first counter.


Pic 28 : Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Shuttle Bus