LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO, MT.FUJI 富士山，河口湖

August 17, 2019

LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO, MT.FUJI 富士山，河口湖

Hello dearest readers ! Welcome back to my blog . Today i'm going to continue from where i stop for my Japan blog post . Since it's the Sakura blossom (Hanami) season in Japan, I think it is a good chance for you to drop by Mount Fuji to have a look at the amazing view . This is definitely a hot spot that must visit when you're in Japan . Please take a day off from the busy city and enjoy the mother nature ! Today i'm going to share with you guys my itinerary and also how we get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo . To me , this place is a MUST go spot , so no matter what i will try to squeeze some time out of my itinerary to visit this place. We planned to stay a night in Mt. Fuji and explore the areas around Lake Kawaguchiko . Honestly , one night stay is never ever enough . There are so many pretty and beautiful places around . The view and scenery was super breathtaking during the sakura blossom season . It's unforgettable and I'm so lucky because the weather was so good during the time we visited to Lake Kawaguchiko. So remember to check the weather before planning your trip from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchiko because if the weather is bad then you can't really spot the Mt.Fuji . Also, when it's too much of clouds Mt.Fuji might not be visible too. The first time i came here , the weather was so bad , and so dark. Seems like going to be very heavy rain . But my second time here , i was in luck . Blessed !

#How to get to Lake Kawaguchiko , Mount Fuji from Tokyo

It is really easy to access by train and direct bus connected to Tokyo. But for this round , we chose to came by bus. The journey took us about 2 hours to reach Lake Kawaguchiko (河口湖). You can get your ticket here http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/ . If you really decided to visit Mount Fuji , my advise is get your ticket earlier or pre-book it . When its peak season , the ticket sold out really really fast . We really did mistake here , was thinking that the ticket will be available so ended up we did not book any tickets online. When we checked on the day before we depart , Seriously all sold out ! We started to worry about the transportation . Then we proceed to the bus terminal to get the ticket on the day before we travel to Mt.Fuji . Tickets 80% sold out for tomorrow . Some left like one seat and the timing is not suitable . But thank God , i remembered the one and only left was the 8am bus , last 2 seats left and we just grabbed it without second thoughts. There are a few departure points you can choose from . We hopped on the bus from Shinjuku Bus Terminal , because this is the nearest point from our hotel.

Check out the link above to know more detail about the time table and area of the direct bus & other transportation method.

#How to circle around Mt. Fuji , the world Cultural Heritage Site

It really depends how you planned for your itinerary. If you're the type that prefer to travel around with tour guide , please check out Klook . They have a lot of good deals and reasonable price for local tour for Mt. Fuji . Some of it even include lunch and entrance fee ! Klook is my all time favourite , i always check them out for promo vouchers . But this round we decided not to travel around with local tour , we prefer free and easy . Everything by our own . The drop off point of the bus from Shinjuku Bus terminal is Kawaguchiko Station . Then from there , we approached to another ticket counter at Kawaguchiko Station to get our bus ticket which allow us to travel in these three bus line (Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus (Red-Line), Saiko Sightseeing Bus (Green-Line), Narusawa/Shojiko/Motosuko Sightseeing Bus (Blue-Line) . The bus operates from Kawaguchiko Sta. at 15 minute intervals, traveling around not only Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Saiko, but also sightseeing facilities such as Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Boat “Ensoleille”, Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, Kawaguchiko Museum of Art, Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, etc. Yes , this is an unlimited bus ride for two days . 1500 yen adult and 750 yen for kid . So yeah , please make good use of the bus for all the sight-seeing spots since it is unlimited pass ! We hop on and hop off so many times for photo spots. If you do not buy any ticket , IC cards (PASMO and Suica) are accepted too . Note that the last bus end at 6.30pm , always check at their website for updated timing ya!

#Food hunting at Mt. Fuji

I'm kinda lost here . We reached there like 10am , and after checked in our hotel we planned to get our lunch . And guess what , we walked like more than 2km , all the restaurants closed . We were thinking why and what happened , why everyone closed so early . It is not public holiday either. After asking a few restaurants and local , we get to know that the restaurants will re-open at around 2.30pm . And we were too hungry to wait any longer . So we head down to Kawaguchiko Station , and we spotted a famous Tempura restaurant . The queue is extremely long , but no choice we just gotta wait as that's the only restaurant that opened at this hour. No regrets , seriously the best tempura ever . Highly recommended if your are here ! Freshly fried tempura and all so fresh . Finger licking good !

Fuji Tempura Idaten
Address : 3486-4 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan , just a short walk from Kawaguchiko Station

The next day we head to this restaurant called Kappo Nanakusa . This is more like a fine dine style in Japanese restaurant . The quality of the food really the best and tip top service from the server . Their chef even came to great us and taught us how to mix and stir our food .We are totally stare blank cause the food is too uncommon for us . Lol. We ordered the set meal and some ala carte food to try .We dont really order a lot as we are half-fulled . We asked for a private room and here we go . This is a tatami style of restaurant , very traditional kind .

Address : 1667-1 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan

Tofu skin with Salmon topped with Wasabi .

Tuna and i dont know what fish is that . Super fresh !

This is not my type of dish .

This small piece is the BOMB ! So so soft , it melted immediately in my mouth.

This is a pumpkin wrapped with minced chicken .

This is actually raw fish with Japanese sesame sauce . First mix the rice together with the raw fish , then pour the hot water into it and stir together again until the fish is half cooked .Put some spices and ready to eat !

Last but not least , pudding as dessert .

#Accommodation

We booked our stay through Airbnb . Also tatami kind of traditional room . It's about SGD 155.18/night . We are so glad that we booked this place , such amazing view from our window . Mt.Fuji right in front of our eyes ! The host and his mother were super friendly and helpful . Recommend us the places for lunch , and things to do nearby. This place not too far from the bus stop , just walking distance about 500m , the nearest bus stop is Ogi , station number 4 . Look for Minshuku Aoiso , they have a board at the road side . So its quick easier to find , but night time might be slightly difficult .