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After arriving at Asahikawa Airport on a JAL domestic flight, we began our Hokkaido self-drive trip. After picking up the rental car at ORIX Rent-a-Car Asahikawa Ekimae, our first destination was Ningle Terrace. Before going there, we stopped by our hotel (ハイランドふらの ) to check in, but we didn’t bring in our luggage yet. We … Read more

After finishing breakfast at Shuhoukaku Kogetsu in the morning, we planned to return the rental car to Budget near Haneda Airport before noon. After arriving at Haneda Airport’s domestic terminal, we would take a JAL flight in the afternoon to Asahikawa Airport in Hokkaido. On our drive back to Tokyo, we stopped at the Ishikawa … Read more

After drinking the free spring water—one of Japan’s famous natural waters—at the very crowded Oshino Hakkai, we drove straight to our hotel for the night, Shuhokaku Kogetsu. Our Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi trip was coming to an end, so we decided to check in a bit early and take a rest. The next morning, we … Read more

After watching the KABA amphibious bus rush into Lake Yamanakako, we continued driving to the Oshino Hakkai springs. There are several spring ponds here, all fed by Mount Fuji’s underground water. It is also a very popular tourist spot, with multiple parking areas nearby. We eventually found a paid parking lot that was only about … Read more

After having lunch at Koshu Hoto Kozakura Yamanakako branch, our family headed to Asahigaoka at Lake Yamanakako for the KABA amphibious bus, which we had reserved two weeks earlier. After parking in the free parking lot in front of Asahigaoka, we went inside to gather. We arrived about 20 minutes early. The interior was decorated … Read more

After riding the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway at Lake Kawaguchi, it was already close to noon. In the afternoon, we planned to take the KABA amphibious bus at Lake Yamanaka, so we decided to have lunch at Koshu Hoto Kozakura Yamanakako branch. We didn’t expect the parking lot to be quite full, but luckily there … Read more

After leaving the very crowded Oishi Park at Lake Kawaguchi, our family headed to the nearby Tenjoyama Park. It took about 10 minutes by car to reach the parking lot by the lakeside, where we planned to take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. To board the ropeway, you need to walk up a short staircase … Read more

On the fourth morning of our 12-day self-driving trip through Hakone, Lake Kawaguchi, and Hokkaido, we headed straight to Oishi Park at Lake Kawaguchi right after breakfast. This is a famous sightseeing spot located beside Lake Kawaguchi, where a 350-meter-long lakeside promenade is lined with a wide variety of flowers. Next to Oishi Park, there … Read more

On the third night of our 12-day self-driving trip through Hakone, Lake Kawaguchi, and Hokkaido, we stayed at Toyoko INN Fuji Kawaguchiko Ohashi. The hotel is a bit far from the train station, but there’s a shuttle bus available. After dinner, we walked to Kawaguchiko Station and waited for the Toyoko INN shuttle bus to … Read more

After finishing our daytime itinerary for the third day of our Hakone and Kawaguchiko road trip, we stayed at Toyoko Inn Fuji Kawaguchiko Ohashi . For dinner, we went to Beef Cutlet Restaurant koushuya (牛かつ専門店 甲州家) near Kawaguchiko Station. After checking in and dropping off our luggage, we walked there—it took about 15 minutes on foot, … Read more