Our journey in Japan finally reach Kawaguchiko, one of Fuji Five Lakes that is famous for the lake and Mount Fuji scenery. It's located in Yamanashi perfecture and around 2 hours driving from Tokyo. Kawaguchiko Station is the smallest and the cutest station I've ever seen. We bought 2 days unlimited pass for the area. Even though we only used it for 1 day, it still worth the cost since we visit several places along the way. The 2 days bus pass is actually for visitor so they can go to Lake Kawaguchiko one day and Lake Saiko area for the other day. But since we have limited time (not even all day), we only went around lake Kawaguchiko.
Kawaguchiko is one kind of place where you really wish time should just stop even for just a while. Fresh air, clear blue sky, gorgeous nature scenery, and the peaceful atmosphere are perfect for people who want to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. It's a famous spot to view Mount Fuji. But you might want to check the weather forecast before going here if you want to see it, otherwise the clouds would obstruct the view.
The bus usually arrived every 10-15 minutes in Kawaguchiko. Since there were lots of tourists, the driver also use English Language when they were speaking. Sometimes foreign visitor didn't understand how to ask to stop in the bus and make the driver a bit troubled. I wish to say "Ganbarimasu" to them. There's a retro kind of bus in this service, but we weren't lucky enough to get into one of them.
KachiKachi Ropeway and the Usagi Shrine
Around 10 minutes by bus from the station, we arrived at KachiKachi Ropeway and a boat pier where you can ride the boat around the lake with some fees. Inside KachiKachi Station there's a story about a clever usagi (rabbit) who bullied... I mean... taught some lessons to the naughty tanuki (raccoon). At least that what we had guessed from the pictures and statues.
We go up with the ropeway across the sea of trees and landed in observation deck at Mount Tenjo where we can have an amazing panoramic view of Mount Fuji. There is a small shrine for the rabbit. People can try to throw small clay plate across the rope if they have some wish. If they succeed means there's a good chance the wish will be granted, or so they said. There's also a heart-shaped bell. I can guess the legend might be something love-related if we ring the bell.
People can also use hiking trail in KachiKachi Area if they don't want to use the ropeway. Some use the ropeway 1 time only, and go down walking on the trail. Around summer seems to be the right time for Hydrangea to bloom and makes a wonderful scenery in this area. But even though there's no flower blooming when we're there, the autumn foliage is also beautiful. I think it will be more amazing around November.
Around 10 minutes by bus from the station, we arrived at KachiKachi Ropeway and a boat pier where you can ride the boat around the lake with some fees. Inside KachiKachi Station there's a story about a clever usagi (rabbit) who bullied... I mean... taught some lessons to the naughty tanuki (raccoon). At least that what we had guessed from the pictures and statues.
We go up with the ropeway across the sea of trees and landed in observation deck at Mount Tenjo where we can have an amazing panoramic view of Mount Fuji. There is a small shrine for the rabbit. People can try to throw small clay plate across the rope if they have some wish. If they succeed means there's a good chance the wish will be granted, or so they said. There's also a heart-shaped bell. I can guess the legend might be something love-related if we ring the bell.
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| Beware of the tanuki... |
People can also use hiking trail in KachiKachi Area if they don't want to use the ropeway. Some use the ropeway 1 time only, and go down walking on the trail. Around summer seems to be the right time for Hydrangea to bloom and makes a wonderful scenery in this area. But even though there's no flower blooming when we're there, the autumn foliage is also beautiful. I think it will be more amazing around November.
Near the bus stop, there's cookie shop that sell Fujiyama-shaped cookies in various flavors. And if you go to the boat pier, you can ride the boat around the lake with some fees.
No we didn't stay here. But we did stop at this area and strolling for a while in the side walk until the next bus came. This is also another great spot for Fuji viewing.
The last stop for Kawaguchiko tour bus. Most people refer this place as the best Mount Fuji scenery in Kawaguchiko since they can get a good scenery of Mount Fuji with Lavenders all over the ground. But it's late October, so they were already withered. The best time to for the Lavender field seems to be around summer.
The Natural Living Center is also a souvenir shop sells blueberry and lavender products as their speciality. If we take a walk to the back side, we can find some autumn flowers and weird bushes I've never seen before (well, I just don't know what kind of plat is that) that looks like red-orange colored ball of fur from faraway. Aside from Mount Fuji scenery, the surrounding mountains is also astonishing.
Momiji Corridor
At Itchiku Kubota Art Museum Bus Stop, we take a walk to the back and found an alley with momiji (maple) trees in the roadside. Although we're not sure if it's the right momiji corridor or not. ^^; The red coloration was just started, so there's still lots of greens.
There's some preparation for the upcoming momiji festival at November. Weather forecast said it would be raining at the first day of the festival, which is why I choose to go to Kawaguchiko earlier for it's better sky. Though I'm also curious with the festival...
We walked to the lake area and found some shrine facing Mount Fuji. This place is also amazing for Fuji viewing.
At Itchiku Kubota Art Museum Bus Stop, we take a walk to the back and found an alley with momiji (maple) trees in the roadside. Although we're not sure if it's the right momiji corridor or not. ^^; The red coloration was just started, so there's still lots of greens.
There's some preparation for the upcoming momiji festival at November. Weather forecast said it would be raining at the first day of the festival, which is why I choose to go to Kawaguchiko earlier for it's better sky. Though I'm also curious with the festival...
We walked to the lake area and found some shrine facing Mount Fuji. This place is also amazing for Fuji viewing.
Hoto Fudo
Across Kawaguchiko Station there's a restaurant called Hoto Fudo. Most people go there to eat 'Hoto', Kawaguchiko local dish. It's like ramen but with very thick noodle, vegetables, mushrooms, rich and creamy yellow broth (maybe they put egg yolk in the broth), served in very big pot. It's very delicious and the portion was big that I need to give some to my brother to finished them. But Japanese people seems to have no trouble to eat one big pot for a person. o_o;
I have a hypothesis the name of Hoto Fudo came from a hungry foreigner ate the dish from local people and said "Hot Food!". That's why now it's called Hoto Fudo. :) *get bricked*
In Hoto Fudo, we also try anmitsu. It's slices fruits with a little shaved ice, read bean paste, and some jellies, with sweet honey sauce.
From Kawaguchiko Station, we bought ticket for highway bus and went to Tokyo, our final city before we left Japan... I'm actually curious in using trains from Kawaguchiko but it seems take more time and the cost will be double than highway bus.
I have a hypothesis the name of Hoto Fudo came from a hungry foreigner ate the dish from local people and said "Hot Food!". That's why now it's called Hoto Fudo. :) *get bricked*
In Hoto Fudo, we also try anmitsu. It's slices fruits with a little shaved ice, read bean paste, and some jellies, with sweet honey sauce.
From Kawaguchiko Station, we bought ticket for highway bus and went to Tokyo, our final city before we left Japan... I'm actually curious in using trains from Kawaguchiko but it seems take more time and the cost will be double than highway bus.
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