Koshinetsu

This one-day tour of Mount Fuji included Asama Shrine, Oshino Hakkai, Lawson convenience store, Kawaguchiko Tenjō Park, and another Lawson convenience store (passing by). While it might seem like there weren't many attractions, the itinerary was actually quite tight. The itinerary was slightly adjusted, with the cable car station moved to the very end to avoid long queues, which I found very thoughtful. Throughout the trip, I'm very grateful to our tour guide, Sun Fei, for her guidance and explanations. She diligently explained everything on the bus, even providing both Chinese and English versions for our diverse group. Besides introducing the entire itinerary, she also shared various tidbits about Japanese life, which were incredibly helpful. Upon arrival, the guide continued to explain the sights and share tips to make our trip even smoother. For example, at the cable car station, she repeatedly reminded us to hurry to the cookie shop at the foot of the mountain to buy some before they sold out; and along the walking path to Oshino Hakkai, she was worried we might get lost, so she carefully pointed out the various forks in the road to prevent us from getting lost. In addition, I particularly noticed that for travelers with strollers, the tour guide went around to the back to remind the parents that there was a ramp available, saving them the trouble of carrying the stroller up the steps. This showed great care and consideration for everyone. Overall, it was a well-organized and fulfilling trip. Thank you again to our tour guide, Sun Fei. And thank you for the good fortune that allowed us to see Mount Fuji. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the future, and I would also consider joining us for other trips or at other times (such as spring or winter)!

I won a hot spring trip in a contest, and my destination is Togura Kamiyamada Onsen. On the way, I visited Matsumoto Castle and enjoyed Shinshu soba noodles at "Yamato" for lunch. At Togura Kamiyamada Onsen Yamafuso, I relaxed in the hot springs and washed away the day's sweat. Tomorrow, I'll go grape picking in Shiojiri, have lunch along the way, and then head home.

It was a rainy weekend in the Tokyo metropolitan area, so I headed to the Komagatake Ropeway in search of blue skies 🚡 The flower season is over, but I enjoyed the refreshing blue sky and the dynamic view of the sea of clouds and mountains 🤩 After descending the mountain, I enjoyed a variety of local beers and the famous katsudon with sauce at the Minami Shinshu Beer direct-operated restaurant near Komagane Station 😋 I also washed away the sweat at Komakusa no Yu hot spring and bought some fruit at the Komagane Farms direct sales store, making it a truly fulfilling day 🍎 I'll have to come back soon to see the autumn leaves at their peak!

It's convenient and easy to use, but it doesn't have a QR code, so you have to go to the counter to exchange for a ticket.

We departed Shinjuku at 8 AM and returned at 6 PM, encountering a slight traffic jam on the Friday return trip. The itinerary included the cable car fare; the pirate ship was at our own expense. We visited Hakone Shrine and took photos of the torii gates in the lake (there were long queues, 3 minutes per person; if time is limited, skip this step). The pirate ship view was fantastic, with beautiful reflections in the lake. The cable car took us to Owakudani to see sulfurous gas eruptions (comparable to Yangmingshan in Taiwan, but Owakudani is fenced off and viewed from a distance), and we ate black eggs (at our own expense). Lunch was at our own expense, featuring Wagyu beef, eel, fried chicken, etc., served at a restaurant combined with a specialty shop (the specialty products were slightly more expensive than in city stores, but there were some discounts, so it was acceptable). We collected "Shinryūsui" (a type of water) at Oshino Hakkai and ate "Kusa Mochi" (baked glutinous rice wrapped with mugwort and red beans). Finally, we went to Lake Yamanaka to see the swans. Although it was a rainy day, we even saw Mount Fuji occasionally appear – good luck!

I'd always wanted to see Yayoi Kusama's work. Because of her passing, it was crowded even on a weekday. There weren't that many exhibits, but there were immersive pieces and it felt like an attraction.

The one-day trip on September 1st cost more than the round trip for two people to Kawaguchiko. The cheap price, coupled with a very humorous and kind tour guide, made this trip truly worthwhile. I'm so grateful to our guide, Zhang Jie, especially for his hilarious Chinese accent; otherwise, I probably would have slept the whole way. I urge the boss to give Zhang Jie a raise! It's rare to find a tour guide who can talk all day without forgetting to be funny and explain history. The itinerary was well-planned, and there was no traffic congestion. The tight schedule was inevitable, given how long a day is, but we still had a great time. The only downside was being taken to a restaurant at lunchtime (the downstairs sold souvenirs). It's not that I dislike shopping at these partner stores, but it would be better if this was clearly stated in the itinerary. I understand that companies need to make money with buy-one-get-one-free offers, so they need related marketing. I think most people aren't afraid to spend money when traveling, but I was severely carsick that day and had no appetite. However, I was worried about bothering the tour guide, so I still ordered lunch. As for souvenirs, I had already bought a lot of cosmetics elsewhere, so I really couldn't buy any more. If they had informed me beforehand, I think it would have been more acceptable, as some people can't stand shopping and forced spending. But overall, it was quite perfect – the tour guide was perfect, the price was perfect, and the itinerary was perfect! ✌️

It was a very fulfilling trip, and we visited all the must-see attractions. The boat ride on Lake Kawaguchi was great; on a hot day, you could comfortably enjoy the air conditioning while admiring the beautiful scenery of Mount Fuji.

This trip was made possible by choosing a chartered car service; the entire experience exceeded expectations! The chartered car tour was fantastic! The driver was punctual, reliable, friendly, and a first-rate driver, so there was absolutely no worry about getting lost or getting stuck in traffic. The car was clean and the seats were comfortable. The itinerary was flexible, allowing us to rest whenever we got tired, truly enjoying a vacation! The car was clean and spacious, with powerful air conditioning, so even on long journeys, we weren't fatigued. The itinerary was well-planned and followed our pace perfectly, so we didn't have to rush and had a very relaxing time. It was excellent value for money!

Karuizawa is quite a long drive, taking almost 6 hours round trip. I recommend staying overnight in Karuizawa so your trip won't be too rushed. Unfortunately, we encountered a wedding at the Kogen Chapel and Stone Chapel and couldn't go inside, which was a real shame. I suggest avoiding weekdays as the chapels are less active!