Savouring the last bit of this view (sans Mount Fuji, still) from our room. I woke up at 6am then 8am, in hope that Mount Fuji will at least let me see a clear view before we left the hotel for good. Too bad, no such luck!!!! :(
We had to check out by 10am, tad bit early don't you think?
We were provided 2 coins for free coffee/tea at the lobby, and we utilized it before we left.
Lift directory of the hotel, we decided to do some slight exploration around the building because we wouldn't get a chance to do so anymore!
The good thing about this Hotel Konanso Yamanashi was that they had a rooftop level with an outdoor foot bath. Hot spring for the tired feet, who could resist! We tried this on our first night here for just a short bit only as there was a private hot spring bath in our room itself.
View from the top of Hotel Konanso Yamanashi~
Overlooking Lake Kawaguchi
Another level of the hotel. I think our room was located on Level 5.
Bidding goodbye to the hotel, but we're going to welcome back our city life soon!
Before leaving Kawaguchiko for good, we had to check out the Kawaguchi Ropeway first!
The famous raccoon and rabbit story of Kachi Kachi Ropeway. Not the typical children's folklore story you'd expect...go google it yourself hahaha.
Dango~ my weakness~
We got our tickets for the ride up the mountain! Round trips cost ¥800 each, you can purchase the tickets from a machine at the lobby.
While waiting for our ride to arrive...
W got us some penny souvenirs!
Up up here we gooooo~
Apparently the ropeway brought us up SO HIGH OMG. It's actually quite scary to be looking down in this photo???
The view that greeted us from the top!
STILL NO MOUNT FUJI........
Some parts of the mountain were under construction so we weren't able to enjoy fully.
How nice it'd be if Mount Fuji was to show itself right in the background of our photo.... :'(
At least the air was cooling~
Looks like an impending storm... and it started to drizzle right after this!
We hurriedly left for the ropeway to take us down again, seems like everyone else had the same thought. While taking the ropeway down, I thought I saw a glimpse of the snow covered mountain... Could it be Mount Fuji...!?
We went to walk around the lake, contemplating to take one of these swan boats but it was still raining.
The next best alternative: taking photos~ Right after this, I bugged W to go up to the roof top of Hotel Konanso to see if Mount Fuji was out..because I had a really strong sixth sense about it!
GUESS WHAT WE SAW WHEN WE WENT UP. O M G FINALLY!!!!!!! MOUNT FUJIIIIIII~!!!!!! (albeit still a little covered at the top by some clouds)
Heckkkk, I was soooo happy! Finally saw the glorious mountain, it was soooo huge and beautiful.
Le sigh~ I'm in love~♥
Still very much in awe♥♥♥ A pity we couldn't savour this sight from the hot spring in our room earlier on.
On a side note, these Starbucks pudding were too cute and yummy ;p After this shot, the clouds from both left and right directions started to cover Mount Fuji again. It was as if the mountain was teasing us with its 30--minutes appearance.
I can now leave Kawaguchi with a full heart, knowing that the main objective of coming here was done and dusted. Have never regretted following my intuition and thanks to W for allowing me to drag him up there, hahah.
All that Mount Fuji chasing has left us hungry, we stopped by Tempura Restaurant Ninja for a quick lunch.
We ordered a Seafood Tendon to share. Food's lookin' gloriousss.
Love the seaweed tempura in the shape of a ninja shuriken, so cute!
Tempura Ninja Restaurant
3729-1 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun 401-0301, Yamanashi Prefecture
After lunch, we walked back to Kawaguchiko Station and hopped onto our reserved Highway bus bakk to Shinjuku Station. On this bus ride back, Shiho Yano (the Japanese model, more popularly known as Sarang's mother in Return of Superman) boarded the same bus!! Wanted to get a photo with her but she didn't look as friendly as we see her on TV.
We headed to Meguro Station for the night illumination of cherry blossoms by Meguro River. O M G. This is just the beginning.
Cherry
Blossoms
Everywhere
There are no words for this sight. I've always thought that cherry blossoms were something to be admired during the day, but look at these....too pretty. It was such a sight to behold.
Walked into this event area full of stalls selling food and drinks~
Didn't buy anything there because we wanna sit down for a good meal!
Everyone was holding a plastic champagne glass in their hands, apparently drinking some pink sakura-flavoured liquor.
Spotted the locals singing, dancing, drinking and enjoying the season of cherry blossoms in the night. It was such a great feeling to be part of the entire merrymaking experience, I can't describe.
Followed the crowd and got a glass of pink Chandon.
If you can't beat them, join them!
There were food stalls all over the place, we bought some mochi~
And these looooooong fries from this guy! They were not bad but could be a tad bit crispier.
Next up was what we've been waiting for the entire night - Afuri Ramen!
We had to queue outside the store in the cold for quite some time, around 45 minutes(?) before it was finally our turn to go in and order.
After ordering, there was another slight wait before we were seated.
Our Yuzu Shio Ramen (we ordered another Shoyu Ramen as well).
Finally getting some hot yummy in our tummy after a long day :)
Afuri Ramen
1-23-1 Kamimeguro | Nakameguro Arina 1F, Meguro 153-0051, Tokyo Prefecture
Verdict: We loved it! The yuzu ramen was great and refreshing with a hint of tangy yuzu. Definitely going to head back for this on our next trip! A plus point was that the pork slices were grilled (giving them a great flavour), instead of just blanched/boiled at other ramen shops.
We walked around for a bit more to explore Meguro and its alleys before making our way back to the hotel for the night. Had to take a photo of Hachiko when I saw it because the trip last round it was swarmed with people that I couldn't take a proper photo.
Cherry blossoms outside Shibuya Station.
Guy earning money off the streets dressed up as a Stormtrooper.
READ: #woodymelo Japan Trip 2017
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