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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! 152Please respect copyright.PENANAhtsrArYQw5It 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.152Please respect copyright.PENANAQwjw61OxQl
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.152Please respect copyright.PENANA1SxOEEEEt8
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)152Please respect copyright.PENANALWAo68Nbsm
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.152Please respect copyright.PENANA77hLXQJbQQ
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. 152Please respect copyright.PENANAvIB72SMB7Y152Please respect copyright.PENANAjiQH4sYzuy
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. 8.5/10.152Please respect copyright.PENANAu0m7kMdaFh152Please respect copyright.PENANALwsDV1G9cs
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. 6/10.152Please respect copyright.PENANAaMAjBRj0Op 152Please respect copyright.PENANAEcDTyCAVxl
The buffet breakfast at the hotel was also nice! The rice with furikake especially~. 152Please respect copyright.PENANAme4cD3qKZx152Please respect copyright.PENANAfD58LHEdBj
We had dessert (fruit anmitsu and red bean porridge) with an amazing view at Fuso Ann. 8/10.152Please respect copyright.PENANAsh8AoTNoEo152Please respect copyright.PENANAGGagXa8JVf
We also had a walk around the area, visited some shrines, etc.152Please respect copyright.PENANAiFCwuaHVvY152Please respect copyright.PENANA2AMrMn8P62
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.