Summer Getaways: Gora Kadan

It’s been a bit on the stuffy side in Tokyo lately, as you might have noticed. In addition, every corner in Shibuya has filled up with pr-people from Johnny’s, spreading the word on SMAPs latest release “We are SMAP!”. And finally, the queues for tonkatsu at Maisen have become so long that you are forced to sit on the staircase while waiting. All in all, it’s time for another summer getaway.

We packed up our Porter weekender and took the Romancecar train to Hakone to indulge in one of the loveliest little ryokans around, Gora Kadan. Hakone itself is a little pearl in the Kanagawa Prefecture, but Gora Kadan is the sparkle that makes it worth while. With Mount Fuji overlooking our every move, we popped our socks off and headed out the to outside onsen. Nothing clears the mind like a spot of geothermal heat. Cleared in mind and spirit, we sat down at the Kaiseki which serves local favourites in a beautiful and distinguished manner.

Before belting back to dysfunctional air conditioners and the like, we stopped by the Open Air Museum for sculpture by Henry Moore and the usual suspects. Some final bubbles at the champagne bar, and then leaping on the Odawara line home.