Page 169 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan
P. 169
YOSEGI-ZAIKU
MARQUETRY
Originating in the 9th
century, this type of
marquetry looks like
inlaid mosaic but in fact
employs a very different
technique. Strips are cut
from planks of up to 40
varieties of woods and
glued together to form
patterned blocks, which
are in turn glued into
larger blocks. These are
then either shaped with
a lathe into objects like Wandering past steaming sulphur
bowls, or shaved into vents in Owakudani valley, Hakone
sheets, and used to coat
boxes and purses.
Lake Ashi, where replicas of
historical Western-style boats
cultural and natural attractions. run to Hakone-machi and
The Hakone area extends Moto-Hakone. In clear weather STAY
across the collapsed remains there are stunning views of
of a huge volcano, which was Mount Fuji. At Hakone-machi
active until 3,000–4,000 years is an interesting reconstruc- Hakone Kowakien
ago, leaving a legacy today of tion of the Seki-sho Barrier Ten-yu
hot springs and steam vents. Gate, a checkpoint that used A luxurious spa resort
Although Hakone can be to control passage on the with an open-air onsen
visited as a long day trip from Edo-period Tokaido road in each room.
Tokyo, it is worth an overnight between Tokyo and Kyoto. ! F4 ⌂ 1297 Ninotaira,
stay. Two- or three-day public- From Hakone-machi it is a Hakone, Ashigara-
transportation passes are short walk to Moto-Hakone. shimogun, Kanagawa
avail able on the Odakyu line Located on a hilltop over- 250-0407 ∑ ten-yu.com
from Shinjuku, Tokyo. A con- looking Lake Ashi, Narukawa
venient circuit of the main Art Museum exhibits 1,500
sights starts from the onsen artworks by modern Japanese Narita Hotel Blan
town of Hakone-Yumoto, masters, and has spectacular Chapel Christmas
taking the Tozan switch back views of the surrounding With trees and tinsel, it’s
train up the hillside to Hakone moun tains. Over a pass Christmas year-round at
Open-Air Museum, with its beyond Moto-Hakone is the this adults-only hotel.
modern sculptures. Continue Amazake-chaya tea house, and ! G4 ⌂ 239-1 Yoshikura,
via funicular to Hakone Art Hatajuku village, known for Narita, Chiba-ken
Museum, which has an yosegi-zaiku, a form of 286-0133 ∑ chapel-
excellent Japanese ceramic decorative marquetry. hotel.co.jp
collection and garden. Via the
funicular and then a ropeway Hakone Open-Air Museum
over the crest of the hill is the " ⌂ 1121 Ninotaira
fascinating Owaku-dani (“valley § (0460) 82-1161 Ryokan Hakone
of great boiling”), an area of # 9am–5pm daily Ginyu
sulfu rous steam vents. This is Enjoy views over the
an active volcanic zone, so Hakone Art Museum Hakone mountains at
some times the ropeway or " ⌂ 1300 Gora § (0460) 82- this traditional ryokan.
sections of this area are closed 2623 # 9am–4:30pm Fri–Wed ! F4 ⌂ 100-1
to visitors for safety reasons. Miyanoshita, Hakone,
The ropeway continues to Seki-sho Barrier Gate Ashigara-shimogun,
" § (0460) 83-6635 # Daily Kanagawa 250-0404
∑ hakoneginyu.co.jp
Narukawa Art Museum
Old-fashioned street in " ⌂ 570 Motohakone
Kawagoe, with kura buildings § (0460) 83-6828 # 9am–
and a wooden clock tower 5pm daily
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