I wanted to just chill in Hakone

We chose Hakone over Kamakura, and honestly, apart from the relaxing "one-night, two-meals" stay, the other experiences were a bit boring for us. It wasn't the red leaf season, nor the hydrangea season, nor the Ekiden relay season—maybe it's just better suited for lounging around, making it a great retirement spot. ✅️【Torii Gate in the Water】The Heiwa Torii at Hakone Shrine was built to pray that Mount Fuji wouldn't erupt. It does have a uniquely atmospheric vibe, but to take a photo there, first you need time to queue, and then you have to accept that you'll appear as a tiny figure in the shot. ✅️【Pirate Ship】I strongly suspect that a certain Hong Kong stomach medicine ad was referring to Hakone—traveling here involves both trains and boats. Besides getting you to the next stop, the boat ride offers a view of the torii gate and Mount Fuji framed together, with beautiful scenery along the way. ✅️【Owakudani】A bit underwhelming. Friends who recommended this—have they never been to Yunnan or Tainan? By comparison, it feels a bit lackluster. The claim that the black eggs here can prolong your life seems highly suspect, like a blatant IQ tax. ✅️【Mountain Railway】🫵 Highly recommended!! The railway is built along the mountainside, cutting through the terrain, with scenery straight out of a Miyazaki film. Every few stops, the conductors at each end swap positions, reversing the train's direction to continue climbing. Their hand signals and muttered chants made it feel like watching an improv performance—a truly unique experience.