Japanese #SoupSearch Day Three: Hakone

I spent last week exploring Japan in search of the next great flavour for Ainsley Harriott’s World Kitchen range of soups. I had so much fun!

Japan has been one of my dream destinations ever since I was a little kid rushing home from school to catch another episode of Ultraman. And this trip did not disappoint! I even got to bring a guest – Kemey, of course – with me. She had as much of a blast as I did. Our only complaint: it was all too brief!

Day three of my Japanese #SoupSearch took Kemey and me to the mountain resort town of Hakone in hopes of glimpsing mist shrouded and elusive Mount Fuji. Here’s a taste of what the day had to offer:

It was tough leaving Tokyo after only a couple of nights. There was so much more that I wanted to see, do and eat in that marvelously mega city. Still, soon after our guide for the day, Yamashita Kyoko, met up with us and we were on our way by train to the mountains, a whole new world of Japanese wow was laid out before me.

Kyoko was a pleasure to spend our day with. Very clued in too. How did she know I would love Kobe steak in a minimalist zen-like setting with forested mountain vistas? Perhaps she’d read my shiitake steak recipe that won this trip for me? Actually, thinking about it, who wouldn’t like dining at Itoh Dining by Nobu? Interestingly though, Kyoko didn’t realise how much of a draw Nobu is for westerners. She seemed as surprised that I recognised the name as I was to come upon a Nobu restaurant off a little country lane on the side of a mountain.

Kyoko doesn’t seem to have a website, but I’ve got her contact details. If you’re looking for a friendly, Tokyo-based guide with superb command of English and is willing to take day trips, she’s well worth looking up.

While up in the mountains, Kyoko, Kemey and I used our Hakone Free Pass to access the extensive (and crazy fun) local transport network of switchback trains, cable cars, ropeways, buses and even a pirate ship shuttling photo frenetic tourists across a volcanic lake.

That night, Kemey and I stayed at Ichinoyu Honkan, a ryokan with its own traditional public and private baths fed from the nearby hot springs. It was a relaxing kimono-clad night in. I’d recommend at least one night at a ryokan to anyone travelling to Japan for the first time.

Another day, another hot pot. This one Hakone style with “salty flavours in hot pot of” locally reared pork and “eight kinds of fresh vegetables served w original sesame flavoured miso sauce or ponzu sauce.” Delish! And that was just one of several courses. Breakfast the next morning was just as impressive (and massive) and featured a gorgeous and nurishing miso soup.

Photo/Kemey Lafond

And oh yeah, we did manage to see Fuji. Not on the deck of the pirate ship or while dangling in the air of the ropeway, but while seated on the train from Tokyo and only for a brief moment before the clouds moved back into position and obscured it for the rest of the day.

Check back around the same time tomorrow for my next #SoupSearch installment.