We got off the bus at Moto-Hakone, and stopped to take in the beauty of Lake Ashi, and the majesty of Mt. Fuji in the distance.  We’d spotted the tip of Fujisan here and there on the train to Hakone-Yumoto, but it was more visible over the Ashi valley now.  Wow.  A few of the “pirate boats” were making their runs across the water.  We paused for a few minutes to take it in.

Then we proceeded towards the “old highway,” a dirt road lined on both sides by ~400 year old cedar trees.  It was part of the main road between Tokyo and Kyoto back in the day, and this part is still intact.  Once again, you’re right in the middle of history here, walking the same path as people who lived centuries ago.  You’ll continue on up this road until it basically ends.  The dirt path isn’t bad, actually, it was a little muddy in spots, but the leaves and such covered it suitably so you weren’t walking in it most of the time.

Oh, and watch your step.  As we were walking along, the Mrs. suddenly started screaming and jumping to the other side of the trail.  “What?” “I almost stepped on a snake!” Sure enough, there was a snake who itself was scrambling up off the trail behind a tree.  It looked to be your average (non-venomous) tree snake, and I managed to snap a photo of it during the pauses in laughing uncontrollably.  For some reason she didn’t think it was very funny…

Related posts:

1. The Hakone Loop, Part. 1: Getting There….
2. The Hakone Loop, Part 2: Up the Mountain
3. The Hakone Loop, Part 4: Lake Ashi
4. The Hakone Loop, Part 5: The Ropeway and Cable Car