Kyoto National Museum
Kyoto National Museum opened in 1897 as the Imperial Museum of Kyoto. Today, the museum maintains a collection of about 14,600 pieces of art and cultural properties with close ties to Kyoto, including Japanese and East Asian artworks, as well as excavated cultural treasures.
It's not just the exhibits inside that are worth seeing—the museum building itself has a lot of history and is definitely worth a visit.
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
A sightseeing ship that operates on Lake Ashinoko, a scenic spot in Hakone. The three ships, Royale II, Victory, and Queen Ashinoko, are characterized by their colorful and luxurious decorations. Each of them has a capacity of about 500 passengers and takes 25 to 35 minutes each way between Togendai Port, Hakone-machi Port, and Moto-Hakone Port. On a sunny day, the open deck is a great place to enjoy the scenery. Enjoy the pleasant breeze and the seasonal views of nature and mountains.
There's a special cabin on the boat that you have to pay extra for, but honestly, I felt it was a bit of a waste. I ended up spending most of my time on the upper deck enjoying the views and taking photos.
Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Iwata
A shopping mall complex that opened in 2009, with a large supermarket "Every Big Day" as the core tenant and about 180 stores, including fashion stores and restaurants. It is loved as a shopping center that meets the wide range of needs of local residents.
It's super crowded on weekends and holidays. Some of the more popular restaurants have really long waits during meal times. It's a lot better on weekdays, though.
Yutorian
Set in Kawaba Village at the southern foosteps of Mt. Hotaka, one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan. Yutorian is a natural hot springs inn, tucked behind the sprawling rice paddies of Kawaba Village.
The inn has a unique traditional farmhouse design, which is really charming. All the meals use local farm ingredients. It's especially convenient for older guests who might have trouble getting around—they have fully automated golf carts and cable cars. Just press a button and you can easily get back to the hotel. Such a thoughtful service!