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After 10 days, we rented a car and drove up to Karuizawa cos my family wanted to see whatever was there. We stayed in a comfortable air bnb with a Kotatsu! 148Please respect copyright.PENANANSzGNIpuCLIt was kinda cold - there was snow on the riverbanks when we went to visit the well-known waterfall there (kinda underwhelming but eh). The water was coming out from the rocks! I guess that's something new.148Please respect copyright.PENANA3IUGxQQ7rd
The architecture of the place was amazing, with most houses structured like old-school Japan buildings, and we explored the touristy streets, coming across a fancy snoopy cafe with delicious looking desserts. We had lunch at Suju Masayuki Restaurant, which was great! The soba noodle place in front had so many people lining up for it haha. Japanese people like lining up whenever there's a line, lol. 8.5/10. The waitress was very nice! English menu provided.148Please respect copyright.PENANAurluJqEmol
We also visited the stone church! (and other churches too, but since it's winter, it looked pretty sad. Would recommend going in another season hahaha)148Please respect copyright.PENANAiUaQKCjmrP
We visited an outlet mall and I had some overpriced cremia ice-cream.
Next, we drove three hours to Fujikawaguchiko, where we stayed at a hotel that had a fabulous view of mount Fuji, and a supermarket was conveniently right next to it.148Please respect copyright.PENANAwPEuAIGlXx
Of course, we visited lake Kawaguchiko, and for some reason, the skyliner (cable car) was under construction THE DAY WE VISITED, so we climbed up a mountain to see the pagoda instead. 148Please respect copyright.PENANA0tEjsvZBpA148Please respect copyright.PENANA68fx2sp2zj
The first day, we wanted to try hoto noodles (signature noodles of the area), but when we reached the restaurant on a Sunday, there was over 2 hours wait. So we went to a nearby udon restaurant instead- named, uh, 彩花 (rainbow flower??? Reading off Chinese characters lmao). AND LO, IT WAS REAL CHEAP AND TASTY. 8.5/10.148Please respect copyright.PENANAd3rGHrFACi148Please respect copyright.PENANAuwVw1B73qP
Okay, the next day, we actually had the Hoto noodles at Hotokura Funari Kawaguchiko. Not to my taste and pricy, I def liked the udon place better. 6/10.148Please respect copyright.PENANABIhOicf2b9 148Please respect copyright.PENANAxMnlBpdrIB
The buffet breakfast at the hotel was also nice! The rice with furikake especially~. 148Please respect copyright.PENANAW0O9NYnLdz148Please respect copyright.PENANA7UWjlEmSmP
We had dessert (fruit anmitsu and red bean porridge) with an amazing view at Fuso Ann. 8/10.148Please respect copyright.PENANAESyYskIUtN148Please respect copyright.PENANAfh97VyC9TJ
We also had a walk around the area, visited some shrines, etc.148Please respect copyright.PENANAXqHRCijuaV148Please respect copyright.PENANALN4iWBi1UG
Oh, the lake also had those romantic swan boats. But they were EXPENSIVE, and I was with family, so I had to opt out. Unfortunate.