Hakone was technically a part of the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. There was a wilderness area that was actually where seven popular hot springs towns including Hakone Yumoto and Miyanoshita were found. When it's not hidden by clouds, Mt. Fuji presented a spectacular sight on the horizon, and since it was winter, they came at a very good time for viewing as the sky during the cold season was mostly clear.
The travel time from Shinjuku Station directly to Hakone-Yumoto Station was around ninety minutes in total. Suzuki Ara's group arrived at the station without fuss. Shuttle buses were waiting to pick them up there to their inns.
Just like their transportation, Ara was no longer surprised, although she still felt exasperated learning that their accommodations had also been upgraded. Instead of a hostel type place, Homura Ryuu had rented a whole traditional inn for them to stay in, complete with traditionally garbed assistants entertaining their every need.
