I think I have to rush blogging about this Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival as we have entered December and soon it will turn into winter (in fact, some of the momijis had gone). I visited the Spring Festival last may to see Shibazakura, and autumn season is as pretty as spring, so it's a must to see. Besides, autumn has so many amazing foods!
Shintaro-nii and his wife was kind enough to drive me and my family to see autumn leaves in Kawaguchiko. We had a long drive from Tokyo to the mountain and fortunately the traffic wasn't that bad but we visited Hakone and Gotemba in one day (Hakone blog post later!) so it was a long journey
When we reached Kawaguchiko, unfortunately the Mount Fuji was being shy as usual so we couldn't see it. Instead within walking distance of the lake, there was a beautiful area where the trees started turning red
Though unfortunately not all of the trees have been covered in red shades, it was still a pleasant for my eyes. We came on first week of November but maybe second week of November would be better. It's a little bit too early :<
There was nearby pond as well and I was really happy because of the fresh air and beautiful sceneries
My family and I had a really great photoshoot by my photographer (all pics on this blog is credited to Donatus Ariel) but I'll just share my face here ;)
It was perfect weather though, around 15 celcius, which is not that cold neither that hot. I love autumn and spring season because I can layer up and no sweat when walking, plus an amazing sceneries!
In fact if you see people behind me on the last picture, so many people were there to take picture and enjoy the festival. And unfortunately my photographer didnt manage to take picture of me enjoying my time on the festival, but as expected of Japanese Festival, there were a lot of food stalls including Amazake (Sweet Rice wine) that I was gulping, some yakisoba, oden, grilled fish, etc! It was heaven as we can try Japanese street foods that is rare to find in Tokyo
As the sun set down, the lights were lit up to make the night scenery beautiful! There were so many tourists there but mostly elders lol I guess young people would rather visit cityscapes
So pretty right!!! Please make sure to visit the Autumn Leaves Festival next year to experience the same thing ^^
After had a nice houtou (local Yamanashi food) nearby the station, we headed back to Tokyo! It was indeed a pleasant journey and I thank Shintaro-nii and wife for driving us all day to this far day trip T.T Can't ask for a better friend!
Car is indeed cheaper because we were 8 persons in one car, compared to bus. Return trip via bus from Shinjuku would be around 3500 yen per hour, and not included traveling around Kawaguchiko via shuttle bus. Unfortunately Indonesian can't drive in Japan because our international driving license doesn't work there (HATE THIS SO MUCH, SG/Malay/Thai can drive there!) but lucky I have nice friend to save some $$$ LOL
I am back in Jakarta, and to be honest my Jakarta life is pretty boring. I just sat at home and blog blog blog all day, edit videos, and reply emails. Mostly working, and weekend is spent well with some friends. Then I fell sick and now have to work less to make sure I have enough rest XD
Alright I will talk to you again on my next post! See you!
Car is indeed cheaper because we were 8 persons in one car, compared to bus. Return trip via bus from Shinjuku would be around 3500 yen per hour, and not included traveling around Kawaguchiko via shuttle bus. Unfortunately Indonesian can't drive in Japan because our international driving license doesn't work there (HATE THIS SO MUCH, SG/Malay/Thai can drive there!) but lucky I have nice friend to save some $$$ LOL
I am back in Jakarta, and to be honest my Jakarta life is pretty boring. I just sat at home and blog blog blog all day, edit videos, and reply emails. Mostly working, and weekend is spent well with some friends. Then I fell sick and now have to work less to make sure I have enough rest XD
Alright I will talk to you again on my next post! See you!
What do you guys think of Spring in Japan?
Must be the normal sakura (cherry blossom) that's pinkish white all over tree branches in Japan
However I am here to let you know that spring in Japan isnt limited to Sakura!!
Sakura is high season and the ticket is mostly super expensive, the time is within last week of March to first week of April. And you've to spare at least 1 week in Japan to take a glimpse of that rare flowers
But if you cant come during that time, and able to visit from late of April to early May, you might want to visit Mount Fuji and see another type of sakura named, Shibazakura. It's bloomed from ground instead of tree, and the color is bright pink instead of white pinkish!
(lemme admit something, the mount fuji is photoshopped because when I took the pic, the fuji was shy to be photographed lol)
It's around 3 hours drive from Tokyo center or around 2 hours by using bus from Shinjuku. You can access Shibazakura's website and how to go there on the page. I recommend bus because it's easier
I was there with my friend, Missa, and she was driving there for me. But it's a long hour drive and the highway is pretty complicated from Tokyo, not to mention sometimes we got lost lol
I didnt know that driving in Japan was that difficult. I forgot how often I drive in Jakarta and I always drive.. Japan's public transportation is very reliable, cheaper, faster, and better than personal car!
Close up look of Shibazakura!!
There are so many tourists, and I spotted a group of Indonesian tourists talking in Bahasa. This place is getting more famous!!
My Casual style on the day
Beanie, White sweatshirt and black jumpsuit from Cloth Inc, watches from La Mer, and Bag from Philip Lim
The best thing about it, there's also Spring Festival Food in the area, and popular food from Kawaguchiko area + limited Fujiyama foods are available over there. Worry not to think about what to eat because there are endless unique foods that you cant find in Tokyo!!
Including this limited edition Fujiyama Sweets!
I bought the pudding of no 10 for my family!! The pudding was so good and has edible flowers inside
Missa told me that this was very rare to find, a trout that's caught nearby the mountain and then grilled in traditional way. VERY VERY TASTY and so fresh!!!!
I cant experience this in Tokyo!!! :O
Some of the menus from one stall
We tried the Fujisan Udon and Yoshida Udon (SOOO GOOOD)
Yoshida Udon is so famous, so really gotta try!
I wanted to try houtou but we thought to get houtou for dinner instead (which I regretted now as we had dinner somewhere in Nakameguro-Tokyo instead, but I dont complain because our dinner was fantastic)
We also tried yakisoba!
For my preference, I dont know why but oily fry food such as this, Indonesia wins through their mie goreng. Indonesia's gorengan (fried food) are the bomb.. I never think Japanese fried rice can beat indonesia fried rice either haha
However the udon has a a big gap compared to any udon I have ever tasted! The udon is hard and big, and by no means it's bad. In fact, the chewiness is different than most of udons available and though I was so full with all the foods, I gobbled it down T________T
I also tried Sakura Ice Cream!!!
Now you guys can envy me, because I envy myself on that day as well. I want to come back for sure!!
There are so many omiyages and limited edition foods available for purchase on the outside gate! I shopped so much even though I knew that I'd be the only one to eat it lol
And that's all for Shibazakura!
I come around 2nd week of May and in fact some of the flowers have fallen down, so there's only one or two spots that's still photogenic. My friend, Amanda came to Shibazakura around 2 weeks before me. So I really recommend you to come during the first week of opening to increase your chance of seeing it at its peak!
Anggy was in Tokyo 2 weeks after me and I confirmed to her that it would be such a waste to visit Shibazakura at the end of May because I'm sure it's all gone by the time she reached the mountain :(
Hopefully this gives you enough idea when to visit!!
I showed the picture to Julian and she made me promise to come there again with her next year to catch the full bloom. That'll be such a dream come true again
Hopefully I can fulfil it one day!
See you very soon, Shibazakura <3
