Hakone and Kawaguchiko side trip from Tokyo – Day 3

9 April 2015

A new day at Lake Kawaguchiko awaits after a good night’s rest at the Kozantai Ubuya, one of the best luxury ryokan in this area. The first thing I did at day break was to check the weather and see if Mount Fuji has finally showed itself.

Nah!

Still cloudy although the forecast indicated some instances of clear weather on this day. Well maybe we may get lucky later, but we had to check out from our ryokan before noon.

View from our room. This is what it is supposed to be but Mount Fuji is still hiding behind the clouds although the forecast indicated some instances of clear weather.

Breakfast was served in the lounge area and we have a choice of Western or Japanese. We chose to have the Japanese breakfast, obviously.

Japanese breakfast with lake view at the Kozantai Ubuya.

Enjoyed the breakfast but not this sticky gooey dish. Fermented soya bean or something… that is not to my taste.

After checking out from the Kozantai Ubuya ryokan, we took the free transport to the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. Kubota Itchiku (1917-2003) was the artist who revived the lost art of Tsujigahana silk dyeing, used to decorate elaborate kimono during the Muromachi Period (1333-1573). 

The Itchiku Kubota Art Museum main entrance gate.

Deadly spikes at the door.

Signboard at the entrance showing an example of an exquisite kimono with a Mount Fuji theme.

After passing through the entrance gate with hugh wooden spiked doors, we walked though a nice landscaped garden towards the exhibition hall.  After paying the entrance fee, we sat through a video documenting the artist and his works, before going into a large hall to see the kimono creations. No photography was allowed inside. The museum exhibited the artist's kimono creations, depicting themes of nature, the cosmos and the seasons. Also on display are parts of his unfinished masterpiece "Symphony of Light", a huge work comprised of 80 kimono that together form of a picture of Mount Fuji. I must say the kimonos on display are exquisite.

Leaving the museum, we walked along the lakeside path that led to the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center. This recommended cycling and walking path offers some of the best views of the lake, sakuras and even Mount Fuji (if the sky cleared up).

Cherry blossom trees in bloom along the lakeside path that leads to the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center.

Sakura in bloom. If only Mount Fuji is visible in the background for an epic shot.

Snow still visible on the canoes.

Mount Fuji still behind clouds. Else these stretch of the lake is the best spot for photos.

Shy cat on the path ahead.

The walk by the lake was quite enjoyable and it did not take too long for us to arrive at the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center.

Someone created a snow rabbit on the table of the cafe outside the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center.

From the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center, we waited and queued to take the public bus back to the Kawaguchiko Station. Quite a lot of people at this time of year and we managed to get on the second or third bus. Most of the folks were tourists and were holding on to day passes for the buses. We paid for our fares in cash after the ride to the driver and went to catch our pre-booked Highway bus to Shinjuku. We had to make online reservations to book our seats even though the fare were already included in our Fuji Hakone Pass.

Tip: The English language website allows seats reservation up to one month in advance. Pick up your bus ticket at the ticket office before boarding.
You will be asked to show the Fuji Hakone Pass and tell your phone number you used for reservation at the time.

The non-stop journey to Shinjuku Bus terminal took about 2 hours on the expressway. We collected our luggage from the concierge at the Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku and checked back into this hotel which is very near the Shinjuku bus terminal.

Tempura dinner – one of must-try dish while visiting Japan.

There are many shopping and eating places within walking distance from our hotel. A great way to end the day was having Tempura dinner at the one of the restaurants located inside the Takashimaya Times Square.