Isshingyo Park
Isshingyo Park is beautifully located with views of the Aso Five Peaks and the surrounding mountains. The park is centered around the "Isshingyo no Ozakura," a majestic Yamazakura cherry tree that is approximately 400 years old and about 14 meters tall.
The park is really well landscaped, with lots of carefully maintained lawns and mature trees. These trees are perfect for relaxing in the shade on a hot day.
Hakone Gora Park
This first French-style formal garden in Japan was opened in 1914. The French garden is typically laid out on a vast flat land in symmetry with ponds and plants in geometric shapes. This park is unique because it is on a slope. Between the front gate and west gate, there is about 40m-drop as if the park was imposed in the middle of a slope.
When I visited, I happened to catch the hydrangeas in full bloom. If you have the Hakone Free Pass, you can enter for free.
Naritasan Park
On Naritasan temple grounds, there is an enormous park as big as 3.5 Tokyo Domes (165,000m2). In spring, 350 cherry trees blossom to delight visitors. The plum, wisteria, maple take turns to adorn the grounds throughout the year.
On the way from the parking lot to the park, there are lots of local specialties for sale, like Teppozuke pickles and peanuts.
Lake Chuzenji
It has been said that the valley was dammed by lava from the eruption of Mt. Nantai about 20,000 years ago, and the original shape was created. Located at an altitude of 1,269 meters above sea level, it is at one of the highest heights in Japan.
Beautiful lake and mountain scenery. Definitely take a boat ride if you visit.
Oya History Museum
Oya stone was mined from the area near Oyamachi, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, and was also used as a building material for the former Imperial Hotel. The "Oya Museum" is the one that passes on the history of mining.
The underground cavern is huge, and the artistic lighting makes it feel like you're in an underground palace.
Suzuhiro Kamaboko Museum
This is a museum run by Suzuhiro, a long-established fish paste store established in 1865. Visitors can enjoy learning about various aspects of kamaboko, from its history to its ingredients and nutrition.
I got to make chikuwa and kamaboko myself, and then taste them right after. Since they use real, quality ingredients, the texture and flavor were honestly delicious.