Nov 17 (Nikkei) - November is usually peak travel season in Hakone, one of the most popular resorts within easy reach of Tokyo. Visitors flock to the area in autumn to watch the leaves turn and enjoy a dip in the hot springs.
Not this year. Typhoon Hagibis, which swept through central and northern Japan in mid-October, left Hakone's mountain railway service paralyzed and cut off spring water to many hotels and inns. The powerful storm touched off landslides along the Hakone Tozan Railway line, forcing the operator of the mountain-scaling electric trams to suspend service between Hakone Yumoto and Gora stations.
"We want to return to normal operations as soon as possible, but we still don't know when and how to resume business," said Kenichi Miyahara, who sits on the railway's board of directors. "Our total financial damage is also unclear."
The railway was damaged in about 20 places between the two stations. The Jakotsu Bridge, located between Miyanoshita and Kowakidani stations, was washed away by a landslide. Repairs have yet to begin.
A rail bridge over the Chikuma River, in Nagano Prefecture, was washed out after heavy rains from Typhoon Hagibis caused the river to spill its banks. © Kyodo
The railway operator plans to work out a rough rebuilding schedule later this year, but it will likely be a few more months before service resumes.
Hotels and tourist facilities along the suspended section of the tracks are suffering. Mizu no Oto, an inn near Kowakidani Station, has been forced to hire additional buses to shuttle guests between Hakone Yumoto Station and the inn.
Several roads remain closed in Hakone, including National Route 138 between the neighboring towns of Miyagino and Sengokuhara. Visitors who come by car often have to make a detour.
