Japan 2020 - Trip 5 | FindPenguins

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Traveler Japan 2020 - Trip 5
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- Mar 3, 2020
- ☁️ 12 °C
- Altitude: 818 m
- Japan Yamanashi Matsuyama Fuji-yoshida Eki 35.48388, 138.7952835°29’2” N 138°47’43” E
Day 11
Day 11 - Kofu to Fujiyoshida
March 3, 2020 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
We were up and out early from Kofu, as the weather was clear and we could go back up the castle lookout to see Mt Fuji for the first time in 5 trips, before catching the 8:18am train to Shimoyoshida.

We had to change trains at Otsuki, from here we were on private railway, so no JR pass, tickets were ¥980 for adults. The train was decirated on the outside with Fuji themes, and was slow, but very scenic. At Shimoyoshida we hiked up to the Chureito Pagoda for the famous pagoda/Fuji picture. There was a lot of stairs, but the view was worth it. We were very lucky to still have Fuji not covered by cloud.

From here it was only 2 stops by train or 1.6km to our destination for the next 2 nights. So we decided to stroll the 1.6km to Fujiyoshida. We were glad we did when we noticed signs saying take your photo from the sidewalk, this was the spot where the street lines up with Mt Fuji framing it. So we also took the street and Fuji shots. We had a 7-11 lunch on the way - great Kaarage on a stick.

We continued on foot to the Hana Hostel, our home for the next 2 nights. The hosts are fantastic, and have children the same age as ours. The beds are so comfy, and have awesome pillows. So after checking in, we took advantage in the clearer weather, it was set to cloud over around 4pm. We then walked the 100m to Fujisan station, then caught the train to Kawaguchiko. From here we walked to the ropeway and rode it. Luckily there was no line up and barely any wait time. ¥900 return, and we got to see the lake from up high 1700m and also got to see Mt Fuji from a different point, though the cloud had surrounded the top part. We wandered back to the station, and caught the free bus back to Fuji station.

After a rest we went out to a tonkatsu restaurant for dinner. It was very good, filling and cheap. Then we had a great chat and share with the host and her daughter.Read more
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- Mar 4, 2020
- ☁️ 10 °C
- Altitude: 825 m
- Japan Yamanashi Matsuyama Fuji-yoshida Eki 35.48355, 138.7956935°29’1” N 138°47’44” E
Day 12
Day 12 - Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko
March 4, 2020 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
We had a slower morning start, and enjoyed a breakfast provided free at the hostel. A nice mix of cereal, bananas, toast and eggs. As it was a cloudy overcast day we set off to view things other than Mt Fuji.

Pur first stop was Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinjya shrine. This is one of the original entry points to ascend Mt Fuji. It is set in a beautiful cedar grove with some very big cedar trees, the shrine itself is very beautiful.

From here we walked towards Fuji Q , where we caught the free shuttle to Kawaguchiko. Once at the lake we walked around and onto the bridge, Fuji was still covered by clouds at the top.

We once again caught the free shuttle back towards Fujisan, stopping again at Fuji Q. From here we walked to Saizeriya, where we had a late lunch. Another 15min walk put us back at the hostel at 3pm for a well earned rest. In the last 3 days we have walked 13.6km, 14km and today another 13km. I must say the kids are great and don't really complain about all the walking we do.

After our rest we ventured out into the rain to grab a 7-11 dinner and return to the hostel to eat it and chat with the hosts. Then it was time to pack up our bags ready to depart in the morning.Read more
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- Mar 5, 2020
- ⛅ 11 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- Japan Tokyo Taito Ueno Okachimachi Eki 35.70754, 139.7746335°42’27” N 139°46’29” E
Day 13
Day 13 - Fujiyoshida to Ueno, Tokyo
March 5, 2020 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
We departed our lovely hosts in Fujiyoshida at 8am, catching the 8:22am train to Otsuki. Then we switched to using our JR passes to continue onto Ueno, changing trains in Shinjuku.

We arrived in Ueno at 11:22am and walked down the few blocks to our fancy apartment style hotel room at Mimaru Tokyo Ueno Okachimachi. For ¥19,980 we have a large room with kitchen, dining area, 2 beds and a set of bunks. We splurged for our last night. Here we were able to check in early, so we did and dropped bags.

Our first stop was Don Quixote just 3mins away, here the kids and I did a lollie shop while hubby did a whiskey shop. A lot of yen later, ¥22,000, we dropped these bags off and headed out again.

A 7-11 lunch on the way the Ueno yodabashi store had a small toy section, so we headed to the one ay Akihabara. This one was much better and the kids bought some toys, and I got my annual japanese lego catalogue. We also found a good custard filled fish pancake place.

From here we headed to Tokyo station to visit the Pokemon store, where the kids got one each. By now it was 5pm, so we headed to Shimbashi to eat at Tonkatsu Matsunoya. On our was there the train was stopped, someone had hit the emergency stop, we were only 1min from our station. We had to wait about 10mins before getting underway.

Dinner was fine, but not as good as I remembered from Sendai. We then headed back to our hotel at 7pm.Read more
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- Mar 6, 2020
- ☀️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 18 m
- Japan Tokyo Taito Ueno Ueno-okachimachi Eki 35.70873, 139.7741535°42’31” N 139°46’27” E
Day 14
Day 14 - Around Tokyo
March 6, 2020 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
We set off for Tsukiji in the morning to visit Tsukiji Masamoto for knife. So we used the Metro to get there, once the knife was purchased we headed to Harajuku.

At Harajuku we walked Takeshita street. I bought a few hats, we got some ice cream, and visited Daiso. After this we set out for Shibuya and saw the statue of Hachiko. Then we set off to Akihabara, and found a place to eat lunch. While we were in Akihabara we had to return to the custard fish pancake place. They were really good.

We then headed back to Ueno to pick up our bags and made our way to Narita via Tokyo. Once here we picked up our TaQbin luggage from Terminal3, and lined up for check-in just after 5pm. Check in was set for 5:55pm, but they opened it up, and we were first in line. Bags checked, we set off to terminal 2 to get dinner and have a look around. Dinner was at Yoshinoya, we were the only westerners there. From there we headed back to terminal 3 and went to the gate.

Flight home was packed, no spare seats this time. But we managed to get some sleep.Read more
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Japan 2020 - Trip 5

Day 11 - Kofu to Fujiyoshida

Day 12 - Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko

Day 13 - Fujiyoshida to Ueno, Tokyo

Day 14 - Around Tokyo