This morning we checked out of out hotel to leave the city.
First we stopped at the “convi” for a rice ball and again I made a mess out of it.
Thankfully, I was able to unload half-a-pound of pocket change so I don’t have to lug that wad around.
We have enjoyed city life very much and will look forward to returning at the end of our trip. I am looking forward for a change of pace.
Before we leave Tokyo, we have a little shopping to do.
Owen needs some shoes and I would like to replace my paperback with an e-reader.
Luckily we catch our bus to Kanagawa at Shinjuku Station.
I am sure to find the Rakuten Kobo at Yodabashi Camera. Owen will try for shoes and a rain cover for his backpack at Mont-bell. I am glad we checked for his rain cover. I had assumed his bag came with one because it has a pocket for it.
Bus
Shopping is complete. We are prepared for everything.
We’re on the bus. Leaving exactly on time.
The bus ride was great. The forests right outside of Tokyo are so lush. The little towns are so cute. There are small farms all over and rivers and valleys and mountains.
Kawaguchiko
We were dropped off at the Fujikyu Higland station and got are bearings in the station. Our hotel was a quick walk away.
Our hotel was nice enough and I was happy to learn that they had an onsen and did not mind that I had a tattoo (he asked me how big it was and I guess I passed). We did laundry and enjoyed the onsen.
Using the internet, Owen taught himself how to tie the obi on the yakata that were provided. Then he helped me tie mine.
Owen is getting very good at things here traveling in Japan. He is an excellent companion.
Our plan was to spend the evening at the amusement park. Things turned out much differently than we planned.
The amusement park closed at 6:00. We couldn’t believe it. We were so disappointed. We decided to go to dinner. I tried Yelp and there was a place down by the lake that was highly recommended.
We took a taxi to the other aide of town. And out down a back road. When the taxi pulled into a gravel parking lot, we discovered the restaurant was closed and it looked like it had been for a while.
Luckily there was a place to eat next door (it’s not surprising really because there are do many places to eat in Japan).
Dino Diner
The Dino Diner was an Americana themed resale that featured burgers made with locally grown, organic, and pesticide free produce. It was a cute place with four tables. You sit on the floor. Owen got a burger and an icecream float and I got sake (nihonshu) and a chicken sandwich. Oishi katta desu! It was delicious!
I think it was the best nihonshu that I have ever had. I don’t know if it was local or not but it was sweet and hot and great.
After dinner, we decided to take a walk down to the lake. There we discovered a lovely pedestrian path that circumnavigates the lake. It was such a nice night, we walked and walked. Once we got into town, everything was pretty much shut down. It was surprising because we were clearly in a resort area. There were bars and restaurants and boat rentals and it was dead quiet.
We continued walking…
Eventually we realized that we were in a city that seemed like a ghost-town. We continued walking.
We wanted to get a cab but there was no one out. We walked toward where there should be people, and nothing, no one.
We walked and walked.
Finally we found a road where cars passed by. Some were cabs. We tried waving them down but none would stop.
By this time we were tired and grumpy and frustrated. No taxi would stop. They had their lights on but they wouldn’t stop.
We walked and walked.
Finally we found a “Business Hotel”. I thought we were saved. The guy at the desk acted like he didn’t know what a taxi was when we asked if he could call one for us. Eventually, he called but then told us there were none.
Further down the road we found a fancy hotel. The girls at the desk were so nice and happy to call for us. After three or four phone calls, they told us there were none.
I was so frustrated. Owen suggested we hoof it home.
We wound up having a very nice, very long, very late night hike back to our hotel.
We barely made it back to take another bath before it closed, but we did.
Hiking Plan
In hindsight, the unexpected late night hike, helped us make a great decision. We had been debating about whether or not to hike Mt. Fuji from the base or from 5th station where most people start. We were so exhausted after the evening, we weren’t even sure we were going to try to summit. Hiking from Station 0 was out of the question.