For my birthday trip this year, my husband, our dog Chocolat, and I went to the Hakone-Ashinoko area, where the autumn colors were deepening, in search of the famous autumn foliage that is said to be "the most beautiful in a decade."
Although it was unfortunately a cloudy day, the autumn leaves, glistening with rain, were as vibrant and colorful as a watercolor painting, creating a memorable and beautiful scene. This trip was accompanied by our beloved Maserati Quattroporte. Taking commemorative photos at autumn foliage spots is one of the highlights of the trip.
On the first day, we visited a resort spot on the shores of Lake Ashi where nature, beauty, and food come together.Ashinoko TerracePopular Italian restaurant in "La Terrazza AshinokoLunchtime at "[restaurant name]". It's conveniently located for a quick stop during sightseeing around Lake Ashi.
The Italian restaurant "formerly Acqua Pazza Terrace," produced by Chef Yoshimi Hidaka of "Acqua Pazza" in Hiroo, has been rebranded as "La Terrazza Ashinoko" and has become a popular spot on the shores of Lake Ashi.
We offer Neapolitan pizzas baked in an Italian wood-fired oven, as well as Italian cuisine using vegetables from Mishima in the western foothills of Hakone and other local ingredients.
This pizzeria, offering a wonderful experience with a panoramic view of Lake Ashi, is a popular restaurant that is bustling with customers on weekends and holidays alike.
The restaurant does not accept reservations, but they distribute numbered tickets before opening and serve customers in order. Lunch is served from 11:00 to 15:30, and numbered tickets are distributed from 10:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
In the pet-friendly area, there are designated seats for pets inside the store, and pets are allowed to enter using carrier bags, pet cages, or carts.
To avoid any problems, please follow the store rules and observe proper etiquette. The fact that you can comfortably enjoy a meal with your dog even on a rainy day is a very welcome point for dog lovers looking for dog-friendly travel destinations.
We sincerely hope that more dog-friendly places will be added in the future so that we can continue to enjoy traveling with our beloved dog, Chocolat.
Margherita pizza: 2,200 yen
We ordered the "Margherita," the most popular of the approximately 30 types of wood-fired pizzas. You can change to buffalo mozzarella for an additional charge.
Our authentic Neapolitan pizzas are baked quickly in a wood-fired oven at temperatures exceeding 400 degrees Celsius. The dough is fragrant and chewy, and the combination of melting mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil leaves creates a simple yet profound flavor.
"Amatriciana with homemade pancetta" 1,900 yen
Chewy short pasta coated in a homemade pancetta made from carefully aged Japanese pork, and a tomato sauce with just the right amount of acidity.
Let's toast to a birthday!
Chocolat is in a good mood, enjoying the homemade meal she brought with her, and even munching on the crust of her favorite pizza.
Chamomile herbal tea and hot coffee are 600 yen each.
After your meal, enjoy a relaxing tea time in the warm shop, sipping chamomile herbal tea and hot coffee while gazing at the sightseeing boats and misty lake surface outside the window.
By the time you finish your meal, the rain will have stopped, and a little sunlight will be shining through, making it a pleasant place to stroll around Lake Ashi.
Between the restaurant and the shop is a covered, open-air terrace where a pleasant autumn breeze blows through. Watching the sightseeing boats gliding gently across the lake, you feel as if time is slowing down.
Like the pig placed in front of the restaurant, it's a full and sleepy afternoon.
Because it's a popular shop, there may be a short wait, but it's also recommended to visit the adjacent shopping area.
The shop offers a wide variety of items, including Hakone's unique crafts, stylish design goods, and Mount Fuji-themed souvenirs. Pets are welcome inside the shop, so you can take your time browsing for souvenirs and enjoying shopping with Chocolat in a cart.
To accompany Chocolat on her journey, the first step is choosing a snack. Choosing a snack for the picky princess requires careful consideration.
"Bon Repas Kyoto / Little Chicken Breast" 50g 770 yen
Made with dried chicken breast from Kyushu, cut into small pieces, this is the perfect size for small dogs and ideal for Chocolat, who loves chicken breast!
I was drawn to the clean packaging and visited the shop at the foot of Mt. Fuji.Our tea shopWe selected several items, mainly tea bags from "[brand name]".
At the back of the shop,Tamamura Toyoo Life Art MuseumThe gallery features and sells paintings by Toyoo Tamamura, an essayist and winery owner, among other diverse activities.
The landscape and still-life paintings, rendered with a gentle touch and warm colors, soothe the hearts of visitors and create a tranquil atmosphere that harmonizes with the nature of Hakone. In this place where food and art gently intersect, you can spend time cultivating your rich sensibilities while gazing at the seasonal scenery of Hakone.
The rain, which had been falling quietly, miraculously stopped, allowing me to stroll along the shores of Lake Ashi, which now exudes a captivating beauty.
The sight of the sightseeing boat gliding slowly along the water is like a painting. The leaves of the trees, glistening with raindrops, shimmer, and a light mist drifts across the mountains, creating a fantastical landscape.
I also visited Lake Ashi in July for Chocolat's birthday. Back then, a refreshing summer landscape unfolded before me, with lush green trees and a clear blue sky. But now, standing in the same spot, the scenery before me seems like a completely different world. The leaves of the trees, which were so vibrant in the summer, have now turned red, orange, and golden, and the mountains surrounding Lake Ashi are beginning to be painted in a gradient of colors. The beauty of the scenery, woven together by the changing seasons, gives me a new sense of wonder every time I visit.
In the crisp air after the rain, the autumn leaves were reflected on the still surface of the lake, creating a tranquil atmosphere where time seemed to slow down. This year, Hakone's autumn foliage was so magnificent that it was called a "once-in-a-decade" spectacle. Spending time by the lake with Chocolat amidst that beauty was like a gift from the season itself, and it left a deep impression on my heart.
Next episode preview: We'll be heading to Hakone-en Aquarium, a place you can enjoy with your dog even on a rainy day.
Get ready for some exciting encounters at the aquarium!
Ashinoko Terrace
La Terrazza Ashinoko
Address: 61 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0522, Japan (Ashinoko Terrace)
TEL: 0460-83-1074
Opening hours:
■ Weekdays
Lunchtime: 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Numbered tickets issued from 10:30 AM)
Cafe time: 15:30 - 17:00
Dinner time: 17:00 - 20:00 (Last order 19:00)
■Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Morning time 9:00-11:00
Lunchtime: 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Numbered tickets issued from 10:00 AM)
Cafe time: 15:30 - 17:00
Dinner time: 17:00 - 20:00 (Last order 19:00)
Closed on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays (open every day in August, facility closed in February).
Parking: Yes
Pets: Allowed if in a carrier bag, pet cage, or cart.
https://www.ashinoko-terrace.jp/
