Note that this photo is a posed shot. You are supposed to cycling anti-clockwise around the lake! Haha If you are deciding between taking the train to Kawaguchiko or driving, you can check out the car rental prices at https://www.nipponrentacar.co.jp/english/user-guide/reservations.html and train prices at http://www.hyperdia.com/ It depends on whether you’re staying overnight at Kawaguchiko and the number of people travelling. Remember to add toll fees of about ¥4200 one way. We decided to rent a car but forgot about the toll fees so it ended up being more expensive. I’d say if you’re staying for one night and there are at least 3 of you, renting a car is a good option. If there are two of you and you want more freedom to move around (such as going to neighbouring places like Oshino Hakkai, Chureito Pagoda, Yamanakako etc) it is also better to rent a car. You should also be warned that traffic is congested upon leaving and arriving at Tokyo. We parked our car at ou...
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Fuji Kawaguchiko with Kids: Ryokan stay, onsen dipping and making blueberry jam
When you travel with kids, you will tend to over-plan but it's alright, be prepared to let go of some activities because you do not want to tire them out (or they may become grouchy or worse, fall ill) so take it easy.
Useful transportation site:
The Fujikyu express will be a great and fun way to travel to Kawaguchiko. There are the fujisan express and Touzandensha, both of which we have tried and absolutely love.
It's always cheaper to pick up and return at the same location. We always check on all the additional stuff for insurance, ETC (for their electronic toll systems) etc for convenience and peace of mind.
During our previous trip, we stayed in a Fujisan and lake-facing suite with a terrace and attached private outdoor bath which was great!
Suite with attached outdoor bath on the terrace
This time we stayed in a Fujisan and lake-facing standard room.
Although the Fujikyu express would have been fun and cute, my brother was keen to try driving in Japan and considering the cost of transport for 6 pax and the convenience of having a car, we decided to rent a car and drive to Kawaguchiko. We were blessed with excellent weather in Kawaguchiko so my nieces had the opportunity to see Mount Fuji in all its glory.
They loved chilling out in the lounge with free drinks (tea, coffee, juices from 3-6PM and herbal teas from 8:30-10PM) and a splendid view of Mount Fuji (when there is light). There are also 6 massage chairs (complimentary) and spa services (charges apply, reservations required).
Chillaxing at the lounge
Using their massage chair
What my nieces enjoyed the most was the onsen. We went every day! The view of the majestic Mount Fuji was a bonus. The view is similar to that from the room, full Fuji and lake view. No photos allowed in the onsen though.
Mount Fuji reflected on the very still Kawaguchiko on the second morning just after sunrise.
Here are some photos of the meals: Note that it is possible to request for no wasabi for kids.
Appetiser. We loved how they cut the daikon into the shape of Fujisan.
Appetisers which I found quite nice but my nieces begged to differ.
Wagyu shabu shabufor the first night
We could not finish all the wagyu!
Amazing chestnut ice cream with warabi mochi!
Breakfast
Dinner on second night: We had a choice of wagyu shabu shabu (like last night), Wagyu steak hotplate with aburi wagyu sushi or kinmedai shabu shabu so we picked the last two. Each choice is for at least two pax (i.e. we could do 3, 3 or 4, 2 or 2, 2, 2)
Aburi wagyu sushi
Wagyu steak hot plate
Kinmedai shabu shabu
We drove to the Fujiyama cookie shop and Sugibee honey shop which are just next to each other for some souvenirs before heading to Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center to sign up for the blueberry making lesson which my nieces enjoyed. The lady spoke some English and we were given English recipes to bring home.
Before leaving Kawaguchiko, we stopped by Kawaguchiko Cheesecake Garden for some fluffy and light cheesecake. I really like the chocolate one and you get a free coffee for every piece of cake ordered. I also noticed a pottery workshop beside which seems to provide pottery experience but reservations are required.
Surprisingly, despite being rather touristy, lunch options are rather limited in Kawaguchiko. There is tempura at Idaten, near JR Kawaguchiko station, which serves rather decent tempura. I found it a little touristy though, packed with tourists so I wondered where the locals eat! Skip the tempura set for two and just order from the ala carte menu. I find that they taste better and you get to choose what you like. My nieces especially loved the sweet potato tempura. I strongly recommend the zuwai kani (queen crab) leg tempura which is superb and so convenient to eat. My brother and I also loved the onion for its natural sweetness. There's another restaurant serving Houtou (a kind of udon noodles) which I researched on but didn't go because my nieces loved the tempura at Idaten so much that we dined there twice!
Top left: My nieces' sweet potato Top right: crab leg, nagaimo, lotus root Bottom right: prawn, anago Bottom left: shiitake, onion, green pepper
For ryokan stays, make sure you prepare some games or books to keep the kids occupied if you are not venturing out. Adults can just chill in a corner but kids can't. My nieces kept asking me, "What can we play?" and I was thankful for the games in my phone. I kept them occupied with Charades haha
During non-winter months, the Kawaguchiko Music Forest will be a nice place to visit, with beautiful blooms and lovely music boxes. A one hour drive to Snowtown Resort Yeti (with view of Mount Fuji) for skiing could be included in the itinerary too. They have slopes with various levels of difficulty so it’s suitable for everyone.
Note that this photo is a posed shot. You are supposed to cycling anti-clockwise around the lake! Haha If you are deciding between taking the train to Kawaguchiko or driving, you can check out the car rental prices at https://www.nipponrentacar.co.jp/english/user-guide/reservations.html and train prices at http://www.hyperdia.com/ It depends on whether you’re staying overnight at Kawaguchiko and the number of people travelling. Remember to add toll fees of about ¥4200 one way. We decided to rent a car but forgot about the toll fees so it ended up being more expensive. I’d say if you’re staying for one night and there are at least 3 of you, renting a car is a good option. If there are two of you and you want more freedom to move around (such as going to neighbouring places like Oshino Hakkai, Chureito Pagoda, Yamanakako etc) it is also better to rent a car. You should also be warned that traffic is congested upon leaving and arriving at Tokyo. We parked our car at ou...
The Tsukuba Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road is a cycling route from JR Iwase station to JR Tsuchiura station and continuing to Lake Kasumigaura loop. The stretch between JR Iwase station and JR Tsuchiura station is 40km and the loop around the lake is about 100km so the total return trip is 180km. Map of Ring Ring Road from JR Iwase station to JR Tsuchiura station We only did part of the straight route and part of the lake so we covered only about 50km. Here’s a video of our trip. IMPORTANT NOTE: We based in Tsukuba because we needed to meet a dear friend. Tsukuba is not the best starting point for this cycling route because we had to cycle 10km to intersect at a part of the Ring Ring Road since public transport connection between Tsukuba and Iwase or Tsuchiura is poor. We took a taxi from JR Tsuchiura station back to Tsukuba (¥3400). When we told the taxi-driver our destination, he smiled happily and said Arigatou!! 🤣🤣 A better plan will be as follows: Use Mito in Ibaraki as a base. Mit...
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