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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! 145Please respect copyright.PENANAfsIOvZoHYfIt 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.145Please respect copyright.PENANAg9a22P5keq
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.145Please respect copyright.PENANAnxh4MFP1qs
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)145Please respect copyright.PENANAwbju9JHlWq
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.145Please respect copyright.PENANAeNmQluQ0po
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. 145Please respect copyright.PENANAvfgNGeM1r8145Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ix6ODkEn3
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. 8.5/10.145Please respect copyright.PENANA4s8FYZJsl8145Please respect copyright.PENANAePgBH4vaXG
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. 6/10.145Please respect copyright.PENANA0TnJ13qyBa 145Please respect copyright.PENANAVWWmOVer3b
The buffet breakfast at the hotel was also nice! The rice with furikake especially~. 145Please respect copyright.PENANAach2SrcgF7145Please respect copyright.PENANAYMBlwIbeO3
We had dessert (fruit anmitsu and red bean porridge) with an amazing view at Fuso Ann. 8/10.145Please respect copyright.PENANA2s4bNVpfHS145Please respect copyright.PENANAH4KyCFu00s
We also had a walk around the area, visited some shrines, etc.145Please respect copyright.PENANAtcXjM4rvzz145Please respect copyright.PENANAGMB2If7RAy
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.