The mundane life of pretending to be an adult - Holidays(8) - Rural Japan + Mount Fuji

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! 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJn5XygtT2
It 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.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUWUxgfo66
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.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5OOp6pfPN
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)907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzN1XYLRIa
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.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPXBzXjegv
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. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeG9hfKM1D
907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYfVZZ6yh4
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. 8.5/10.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXmqWLkdGM
907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67W2n2njxL
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. 6/10.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX7MIsdpml
907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrIAeRCvgD
The buffet breakfast at the hotel was also nice! The rice with furikake especially~. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRjgxUqToR
907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjcUPrDZv3
We had dessert (fruit anmitsu and red bean porridge) with an amazing view at Fuso Ann. 8/10.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ08zhj776k
907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL0RtrTS8U
We also had a walk around the area, visited some shrines, etc.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7tj7kfc7j
907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QFFM54gms
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.