TRAVEL GUIDE: HAKONE, JAPAN

I want to tell you all about Hakone, Japan, but I can't. I want to tell you that Lake Ashi like the refreshing Japanese beer of the almost same name will feel cool and crisp as it takes your breath away like the person you've just met over Roxy Music, pink wigs and karaoke. I want to tell you that the still, solitary shine there is as symbolic to the land of the rising sun as it is the temple over Mount Fuji front cover to all the paperback travel guides on this lonely planet that will take you there. But I haven't seen it...yet. I want to tell you that beyond the citsyscapes of neighbouring Tokyo and Yokohama you won't get a view of Mount Fuji over the same still reflecting water turned upside down, this side of lacing up your hiking boots that's more than this. But as my Odawara train pulls away and I see it in my smartphone shuttering cameras rearview, I guess this will have to wait until next time.

And that's fine. This is fine.

I can tell you that the Hakone Yumoto station area has more falls than Niagara and is full of life. Even if rocks fallen from last years terrible typhoon means the trains only run one way. Don't worry this mountainous town of somewhat social isolation isn't 'Shining' on some "you can't leave", Stephen King horror tip. There's always the good ol'rail replacement service that all us Brits know all too well. I can tell you that the gorgeous Gora Park full of fountains (one that amongst all this anxiety brought me the most perfect peace I've had for a half hour in years), stonewalks, cafes and craft shops. Not to mention a cracking egg and Douglas fir. Surrounded by levels of moonbeams no matter the season is clock on time well worth the price of the 550 yen admission...unless you wisely invested in the Shinkansen like Romancecar Hakone free day pass that will cable car take you to all sorts of highs and sights in this city with more peaks than Laura Palmer. I can tell you this because it's right next to the hotel I bunkered down in as soon as I could check in. The Hotel Merveille Gora, with its faithful staff still working at this time, deserving of their pay and your business. Having your bag ready and waiting in your at home room once you've checked in following leaving your luggage with a tag until that time. It really is the little things.

But something didn't feel right. And I'm not talking about the flawless hotel service. As beautiful and bountiful as this amazing place, Hakone, the hallmark of Japan, it didn't feel right. Especially with the current Coranavirus planet pandemic of panic and actual evidence to justify this anxiety Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. The whole world is practically quarantined right now and although where it began in China and where it headed right after in Japan (on the cruise ship of the Diamond Princess on the port of Yokohama, the city where this writer teaching English for a year here resides no less) seems to have against the odds avoided another surge. And despite some closures and cancellations they are still biding their time despite the backlash to their decision on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo which could unite the world that doesn't shake hands anymore (with good reason) like this country if Corona bows out by then. It's always better to be safe than sorry...and ill. As you know what they say, you can never be too careful. And as we wash our hands and hopefully leave some hand sanitizer for someone else instead of sitting on a throne of toilet paper and keyboard warrior shaming into submission the workers that can't not go to work in fear of losing their home (and there's not enough rolls to go round to build another fort with), truer words have never been spoken. You should always listen to your elders...and boy should you respect them too. It didn't feel right being here on this trip I booked way before Tom Hanks and the NBA and not the scientists that we should have listened to made the world lock down, sit up on our sofas and take notice. Even trying to get away from all the hustle and bustle, it just didn't feel right with the risk of infecting someone, who cares about what happens to me in regards to what I get to see. I've already seen enough. I made a mistake. I shouldn't make more. I teach everyday in the city. In a building next to the main trainline to the town and airport services. I teach one-on-one in a room, with a mask at your request even though I'm not ill. But we could be. It takes five days to manifest. Idris Elba and Kevin Durant have it with no symptoms. And we've all had that one cough we tried to stifle before people shift in their seats on the train. And I'm British, although I can try to keep calm and carry on, my friends and family have it much worse back home when they thought at first that I was in a worse place. Turns out we all our. With friends social distancing and staying at home to the risk of their jobs let alone their mental welfare this seems like warfare as once again online people would rather put down for likes than come together for love. But saying that just look at what your local community does beautifully for each other. So enough about me, because it's about that. So I stayed in the hotel for the night. Took a bath and took it to the mattresses with Mario Puzo's 'The Godfather'. Definitely not venturing to the hot springs this town is famous for although meeting someone who has just cycled here from Kyoto over four days (now that's strength over struggle inspiring) left me wanting to learn more. Called it a night, hit the hay and was on the next bus back home the next day to go back to Yokohama and hunker down to read and write like I do. I'll see Hakone in all its Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji glory again. And we can read all about it then.

I'll be back. Our health at great risk if we don't take precautions and the health of those around us family and stranger might not be.

What's more important? Instagram or real influence? Likes or who you love?

Stay safe out there. TIM DAVID HARVEY.