Trip Report: Nov 2016 @ Lake Kawaguchi + Tokyo

[crntbs]

Hi all,
As this is not my first time to Tokyo, therefore, the pace of this trip is mostly r&r. Here's my itineraries.

Day1:
- Arrival at Heneda around 10pm, Lodging at hotel near airport.

Day2:
- Took 10am bus from airport to Lake Kawaguchi Station
- Arrive around 12:30pm, Drop luggage at Hotel, Kasuitei-Ooya
- Went lunch, stroll around the lake and do some shopping.
- Checkin Hotel, took bus to Maple Corridor
- Went back to hotel to r&r.

Day3:
- Checkout and drop luggage with hotel.
- Cable Ride to Mt Kachi Kachi
- Musical Forest
- Stroll around lake from musical forest to hotel
- Collect luggage and took 5:30pm bus from Lake Kawaguchi Station to Tokyo
- Arrived at Tokyo Station around 7:30pm and proceed to Grand Central Hotel at Kanda.

Day4:
- Morning at Rikugien
- Kawagoe in the afternoon
- Ikebukuro in the evening

Day5:
- R&R in the morning
- Nakano Broadway in the afternoon
- Ghibili Museum from 4-6pm

Day6:
- Booked Daytour to Hananuki Valley & Fururoda Falls via Japanican website.

Day7:
- Ueno Park
- Tokyo Skytree

Day8:
- Akihabara
- 5pm flight back to SG.

 

[crntbs]

Day 2
Hotel Front


Lunch. Japanese style of Ban Mien.


Maple Corridor




Night Festival near Maple Corridor


People sitting around fire on a cold autumn night

 

[crntbs]

Day 3

Complementary Breakfast from hotel


Scenary while queuing for cable car ride to Mt Kuchi kuchi




Lakeview from Mt Kuchi Kuchi


Mt Fuji from Mt Kuchi Kuchi


Musical Forest




The swan that doesn't gave face >.<

 

[crntbs]

Lunch near Musical Forest. Chicken cooked with cheese


Strolling around the lake from Musical Forest to Hotel (took ard 2-3 hrs)

 

[crntbs]

Day4

Rikugien

There was a group of photographers lining up with their pro equipments at a small bridge.
I was curious, walked over and just in time to catch this moment.






Kawagoe aka Sweet Potato Town
It was very very crowded due to some cultural exchange performances.




The bell tower


Sweet potato Ice-cream cone was really good.

 

[crntbs]

Day5

Ghibili Museum
Could only take exterior shots as no photography allowed once inside.
The museum tour was really good if you're into these kind of stuff.
If you plan to go, do the booking directly vie the offical website.
Any other 3rd party websites are a ripped off.
I've only paid 1000yen for the tix while 3rd party website selling at ard 50-70usd.

 

[crntbs]

Day6
Daytour to Hananuki Valley & Fururoda Falls
Booked this tour vie Japanican website. Lunch is provided but bus ride took ard 3hrs from tokyo.
Therefore, most of the time is spent on the bus and not enough time to explore Hananuki Valley.
I would advise doing lunch after exploring Hananuki Valley.
We've made the mistake of having lunch first and spending too much time at lunch.

Hananuki Valley






Fururoda Falls

 

[crntbs]

Day7

Ueno Park
Last chance to catch farfetch before flying back home.
Yeah, altho with ton of sightings, never ever got the chance to catch farfetch in this trip. >.<



Withering Lotus


Love the contrast between vivid autumn colors in front of this old looking buiding.






Pokemon hotspot at Ueno Park.


Tokyo Skytree
Have managed to catch one of the show in the planetarium at 7th flr.
It was really soothing and couldn't help to doze off after spending entire afternoon walking at Ueno Park.

Fine display of works from Origami Competition




------------------- End of Trip Report ----------------------------------

 

[Crexzz]

Thumbs up

10c

 

[purpleberry]

Nice photos. How long did you have to book for your Ghibli tickets? Was it done online?

 

[crntbs]

The ticket was booked online. There was a link from official website.
However, have to book once the tix is available for the date you want. I've originally intended to book for morning slot but it was snatched out within 30mins after it was released.