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Kawaguchiko Hotel

November 2018
In Kawaguchiko we stayed overnight to avoid rushing back to Tokyo the same day. We stayed at Kawaguchiko Hotel just by Lake Kawaguchiko which provides a peaceful setting. Being slightly elevated off the main road, it gives panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchiko. It’s is located about 1½ km from Kawaguchiko Station and free transfer was included in our booking. Otherwise, the ‘Red Line’ bus passes through this hotel and stops at Yamanashi Gem Museum (stop 8) and Fuji Lake Hotel (stop 9). Kawaguchiko Hotel is in-between these two stops with the Gem Museum being closer.

Kawaguchiko Hotel from the main road. The multi storey brick building is the hotel’s newer wing..

The hotel slightly elevated from the main road, gives panoramic views of it’s surroundings.

Main entrance of the hotel.

This hotel was built in the 50’s and has had the current Emperor and his late father as guests before. A new wing has been added to the hotel but the fittings in the room as well as the lobby is rather dated. The rooms are big, clean and everything works. Water kettle, mini fridge, LED CTV and bathtub are among the amenities. From our room window, we can see Mt Fuji majestically in the background.

Photo of Emperor Hirohito emerging from the hotel.

Hallway to our room.

Twin beded room.

Dressing table has seen better days.

Water kettle & mini refrigerator.

Bathroom with tub. In November, that tap water is cold.

View of Mt Fuji from our room.

An indication of the temperature outside the next morning.

We arrived Kawaguchiko from Akihabara, but will be returning via Shinjuku as there are frequent bus services going there. Bus services to Akihabara are limited to two per day, both in the evenings. Our bus for Shinjuku will depart in the late morning so we just spent time walking around the hotel’s grounds and along Lake Kawaguchiko before checking-out. Again, we were awed by the red fall leaves as we rarely get to see this. From the hotel’s side of Lake Kawaguchiko, one can see the Ohashi bridge in the distance that connects to the other side of the lake.

Car park in-front of the hotel overlooking Lake Kawaguchiko.

Another vantage point at the hotel overlooking Lake Kawaguchiko.

From the hotel overlooking Lake Kawaguchiko & Fuji Lake Hotel.

Overlooking Lake Kawaguchiko & Ohashi bridge.

Vegetation along the hotel driveway.

Trees with fall leaves around the hotel grounds.

A small toori close to the hotel grounds.

Oyashikidai shrine past the toori gate.

From the hotel car park looking down the main road.

Persimmon tree bearing fruits near the hotel.

Lobby of Hotel Kawaguchiko.

Another view of the lobby.

Relaxing atmosphere at the lobby looking outwards to Lake Kawaguchiko.

Reading room by the lobby.

We arrived in Kawaguchiko on a Sunday and traffic around Lake Kawaguchiko was pretty heavy, just short of traffic jams. Being a public holiday, local tourist were plenty as well. Most of the favorite attractions were pack and we had to drop the Ropeway & Pleasure Cruise from our itinerary,

To really appreciate the attractions in Kawaguchiko, it is advisable to stay a minimum of two nights. A day trip to Kawaguchiko will really be a touch-and-go affair and if weather does not permit or the crowd swells, you will miss out on your intended attractions. A two night’s stay will give some buffer time to explore other attractions that are further away on the ‘Green Line’ & ‘Blue Line’ or to repeat a missed attraction the day before.

We left Kawaguchiko with a heavy heart regretting not having stayed longer. Transfer to the station was by free hotel SUV inclusive with our stay. At Kawaguchiko station, early on a Monday morning, crowds had started to build up although not as bad as the day we arrived. We will be returning to Washington Hotel in Akihabara for a further two nights stay before returning to Malaysia.

Hotel provides free transfer to & fro Kawaguchiko station.

Crowds building up on an early Monday morning.

Budget accommodation are available in-front of the station.

The station overlooking the main road. There is also luggage storage across the road.

Another view towards the front of the station.

Platform #3 is where our bus to Shinjuku will depart.

Finally, our bus arrived 15 minutes late! Something very, very rare in Japan.

Beauty Of Mt Fuji & The Stunning Maple Corridor, Kawaguchiko

November 2018
Back at Kawaguchiko station from Oshino Hakkai, we boarded a sight seeing bus to visit other attractions around Kawaguchiko. There are 3 different sightseeing routes to choose from, either the ‘Red Line‘, ‘Green Line‘ or ‘Blue Line‘. Bus fare for these sightseeing routes, can be paid by cash or pre-paid (Icoca) card or alternatively purchase an unlimited 2-days bus pass for ¥1,500 which includes all three routes. Please note these 3 routes, do not include Oshino Hakkai.

The Kawaguchiko ‘Red Line’ sightseeing bus.

Along the ‘red line’ route, we intend to visit a couple of attractions namely Oishi Park, Maple Corridor and Pleasure Cruise/Ropeway. From Kawaguchiko bus station, Oishi Park (close to Natural Living Center) is the furthest attraction on the ‘red line’ route at stop #22. The return fare cost ¥960 with stops along the way factored in. We stopped at Maple Corridor on the way back from Oishi Park. Although the ‘red line’ route is the shortest of the three, it is impossible to visit all 22 attractions in a day, what else to cover the ‘green’ & ‘blue’ lines as well.

‘Red Line’ sightseeing bus route.

Oishi Park
Oishi Park (stop #22) is located on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko. It is a popular scenic spot where you can get panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji. The park features a 350 meter walking path with seasonal flowers planted along the shore promenade. The park is also home to the Natural Living Center which has a souvenir shop and a cafe.

Oishi Park with Mt Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko in the background.

Mt Fuji & Kawaguchiko Lake.

Bench & table for visitors convenience at Oishi Park.

Mt Fuji through the thick vegetation.

Autumn flowers and Mt Fuji.

Types of flowers and shrubs found around Oishi Park.

Kochia shrubs will turn red during it’s peak in autumn.

Past midday, part of the clouds shrouding Mt Fuji lifted and we were able to see the majestic Mt Fuji. Although our pictures of Mt Fuji wasn’t as clear, sharp and crisp as we would like to, the fact we were able to see it, was stunning. Honestly, it would have been a disappointment if we weren’t able to see Mt Fuji.

Wife framing Mt Fuji for a shot.

Close up of Japaneses Pampas Grass.

Kawaguchiko Urban Resort Villa says the signboard. Wonder what plants these are.

Natural Living Center
The Natural Living Center is just before Oishi Park. Here one can try making fruit jam and an all-you-can-eat cherry & blueberry picking activity. There are many food and fragrance related products using blueberry sold here. At the cafe, you can enjoy a cup of coffee and try the blueberry ice cream. The ‘red line‘ bus will pick-up & drop-off passengers for stop #22 in-front of this center.

Natural Living Center. Credit:.travelko.com

View of the hills facing Natural Living Center.

Maple Corridor
The Maple Corridor is a beautiful place to view red autumn foliage. By the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, it faces Mt Fuji. Taking the ‘red line’ bus, this will be stop #19 which is also the stop for Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. The estimated bus fare to Kawaguchiko station is ¥380 one-way and the ride will take about 25 minutes.

Junction close to stop #19

Maple Corridor stop #19 by the road side.

Stop #19 leading to Maple Corridor.

The Maple Corridor is a walkway along a wide storm water drain lined with over 60 maple trees. The trees with red, yellow, orange and a small patch of green leaves display stunning colours. Visitors can stroll alongside the 150m walkway while taking in the fresh cool air. At the other end, both sides of the walkway are connected by a bridge, enabling you to return to your starting point the opposite side. Having walked a complete loop, visitors are directed to stalls selling handmade Japanese ceramics, woodcraft and traditional Japanese street food. The Maple Corridor can also be enjoyed after dark as the autumn trees are lit up after sunset till 10 pm every night during autumn.

I would consider the visit to Maple Corridor as the highlight of our visit to Japan. Although we have been to countries with four seasons, this is the first time we are able to see red autumn leaves. Otherwise, all the time we would return home before the autumn foliage to avoid the drop in temperature.

The shades of autumn foliage at Maple Corridor, Kawaguchiko.

Fallen maple leaves at the root of a tree.

The Maple trees lining the walkway.

Stunning colours of autumn foliage.

From Akihabara To Kawaguchiko By Bus For Mt Fuji

November 2018
From Washington Hotel, you can catch an express bus to Kawaguchiko from Akihabara bus station in-front of Yodobashi, a minute walk away. Likewise, it takes less time to walk from Akihabara JR Central Gate station exit. The express bus leaves in the morning with a return trip arriving in the evening. This saves you the hassle of having to take a bus from Shinjuku, an added convenience staying at Akihabara. This service provided by japanbusonline can be booked here. The bus arrives 10-15 minutes early to check your tickets, load your luggage and leaves on the dot at departure time.

Akihabara Bus Station (rather a bus stand) beside of the subway elevator directly in-front of Yodobashi as seen from Google maps. You can catch a bus to Kawaguchiko here.

Another view of the bus stand from Yodobashi side.

The bus journey takes less than 2 hours with a stop to drop-off passengers at Fuji-Q Highland before arriving at Kawaguchiko station that caters for buses as well as trains. The bus is clean, comfortable and has a toilet. The fare of ¥1,800 (2018) one way, is ¥50 more than the bus fare if you had taken a bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko.

The bus interior.

A township along the way.

Fuji-Q Highland is a theme park less than 10 minutes from Kawaguchiko station.

Kawaguchiko station. The bus stands are in-front as seen, while the railway lines are at the back of the station. Credit:Google maps

Once reached Kawaguchiko, we stored our backpack in the coin locker located besides the station’s toilet. More lockers are available at shops across the street. We will be staying for a night here but before checking-in to our hotel at 3:00 pm, we will visit Oshino Hakkai, a small village of picturesque setting with ponds and views of Mt. Fuji. We boarded a local bus at bus stand #6 and the journey took about ½ hour.

Location of bus stand #6 looking outwards from the station.

Exiting the station, bus stand #6 is to your left. Credit:Google map

The bus we boarded was a mini bus. Ticket payment can be made by cash or pre-paid (Icoca) card. If using a pre-paid card, you’ll need to tab the card at the card reader as you enter the bus from the back. Then tap again as you exit the bus at the front. Cash payment is made to the bus driver. If I recalled correctly, the fare is ¥550 one-way.

You get-off at a bus stop by the road side close to the junction leading to Oshino Hakkai village. A bus stop opposite to this one, will take you back to Kawaguchiko Station.

Please be reminded that Oshino Hakkai is a working village. Vehicle will use the same street you walk on but they will not honk you if you are blocking their way. Be considerate and look around when you walk to give way to the vehicles. This is their village they live in and we should respect them and refrain from making noise, load jokes or throwing rubbish. This village is a World Heritage site. There is no entrance fee and one can visit anytime of the day or night. Unfortunately at the time of our visit, the weather was cloudy and Mt Fuji was shrouded with clouds through out the morning.

The junction into Oshino Hakkai just ahead of the bus stop is clearly marked. You need to walk about 350 meters to the village.

The ponds at Oshino Hakkai are fed by waters from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji flowing down the mountain. The clear water of the ponds have plenty of fishes and freshwater plants growing in it. ‘Hakkai’ when translated means ‘eight seas’ referring to the eight ponds around the village. The ponds are the attraction of the village. Pathways will lead you to the ponds and bridges over it.

A stream at the entrance of the village.

Water wheel at Oshino Hakkai.

Pond with Koi fishes.

Lots of Koi fishes in the pond.

Wonder how the fishes survive the cold waters.

Mt Fuji is directly in the background. Can’t see it ? Neither did we.

Souvenir shops besides the pond.

Loads of tourist when we were there.

Part of the crowd making their way back.

Challenging you to dip you hands in the water for 30 seconds. I managed less than 15 seconds and it’s not winter yet!

A momentary glimpse of Mt Fuji on our way out of the village.

What Oshino Hakkai looks like with Mount Fuji in the background on a perfect day. It is pictures like this that inspired us to travel all the way to visit the actual site.