21st March 2023
We made our way to Shinjuku Station to get the Fuji Excursion train which runs from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko. The JR Pass only covers the journey to Otsuki station, an extra fare can be paid on arrival to Kawaguchiko at ¥1740. The train might look like it is two different trains, and one needs to change at Otsuki Station, but there are announcements to help explain to stay on the train.
The train out of the Tokyo metropolis, into the countryside, past Fuji-Q Highland – an amusement park at the foot of Mount Fuji, to the blissful Kawaguchiko lake was a beautiful journey. The Fuji Excursion train stops at a few stations, including Shimoyoshida Station, where you can walk up to Arakurayama Sengen Park with the famous view of a multi storey pagoda with Mt Fuji in the background. Beautiful views heading towards Fuji-San didn’t disappoint.
On arrival at the tiny station there are signs to the Lake Kawaguchi, the town at the station is well facilitated with cafes, accommodation, Family Mart, car rental. There are sightseeing buses just outside the train station that has a route to some of the scenic places around the lake.
We decided to hire electric bikes and travel around the lake to try and get the best views, it was a bit cloudy on the day, so we thought this might be the best way to see it. We rented the bikes from Rental Cycle Puu-San (3636 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan) a 2 minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station. It was brilliant. Incredibly picturesque, we cycled past beautiful ancient shrines and lake guardians, past the magical sounding (we could hear the music) Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, across wooden bridges and through the intriguing Oishi Park, with a Flower Calendar, to show how colourful it is throughout the seasons.
It took us roughly 2 hours to cycle around the circumference of the lake and it was one of my favourite experiences on our Japan trip, and that’s saying something as everywhere was my favourite. Unmissable, also too short a time, it would have been great to have a couple of nights in the area to take our time.
Fuji Tempura Idaten
3486-4 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan
After returning our trusty bikes we headed for some food, there were a few places that apparently have vegan options, including a bakery, but that was closed by the late afternoon. We headed to Fuji Tempura Idaten, a delightful tempura restaurant. It was busy, we waited for around 40 minutes, for a table, but as other people dropped out of the queue, it was less time than we thought. The food was lovely and fresh and we ordered via an tablet.
Between us we had the combo rice and miso soup, tempura pumpkin, tempura eringi mushroom, tempura tomato, vegetable tempura set, and French fries (they were more like wedges). Everything was fresh, hot and delicious.
As we were walking back to the station, we noticed a number of people had gathered across the road from the Lawson shop. We turned to see the wonderful Fuji-san showing glimpses of itself through clouds. A lovely end to a lovely day.
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The Greedy Herbivore 