This is one meal, for one person

http://bit.ly/10XIBFL

The Rising Sun is taking its own sweet time

6am. I'm right now wide awake waiting for the sun to rise. About 3 hours north of metro Tokyo, a little bit more west - Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko-shi.

I've been up since 4.30am. First parking myself in the steaming outdoor ofuro. With a clear view of the icy sky, I thought I'd catch the first warm rays of the day here.

By 5am, the winter steam kinda winded me and I quickly sought refuge under the thick blanket in my room.

With the window shades wide open of course. I've the same view here as the one in onsen.

The stars slowly faded as light finally invaded a few minutes ago. It's getting brighter but slowly. The sun is in no hurry here in the mountains. The river seems to be taking its cue, even the flow seems a little more sluggish in this lazy glow.

Maybe I should pop back to sleep.

Not in Tokyo but still...

I've moved on from Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto, a township full of onsen hotels.

Putting up at this place called Furusato, the cottage annex of the bigger Hotel Okada. I'd booked myself here thinking this was a ryokan with the full works, kaiseki, okami and all. Here, dinner is a lacklustre buffet spread. Even setting up the bedding is self-service.

Misunderstanding aside, this is quite a pleasant place to stay. Not so far from the JR station by bus. The hilly distance is possibly walkable though I haven't exactly tried. I did walk slightly more than midway for a sake run. At 3.30pm. Cos everything here closes at 4, says the recep.

Oh well. At least there's free wifi at the lobby of the main Hotel building. And an onsen that shuts its doors at 1am in the morning.

I'm not bored.