So, who would of thought, of all the places I'd be able to find a strong pilferable wireless connection, it's an hour away from the city in Shuhoukaku Kogetsu, an old school hotel in rural Yamanashi at the foot of the Fuji Mountain. Check out that view~ GROWL.
10 minutes down the road from the hotel is the Ukai Music Forest, a garden and private collection of European music boxes that's open to the public.
It's a pretty peaceful place, and its cafe has one hell of a view of the Fuji Mountain.
The music halls turned museums house all sorts of music boxes. From old school ones like the one shown below:
To newer ones available for purchase, like this DEVILISHLY CUTE one.
And they have fondue. Kick-ass.
AND SWANS. These are the only two swans the park has. I think they're a couple.
That night, dinner at the Shuhoukaku Kogetsu was pretty intense. It was traditional Japanese fare, with an enormous variety of dishes, all of which in small bite-sized amounts, and all of which awesome.
More photos of the food here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2175412&l=c2432&id=839671
This morning I had to get up at 2am because my dad was intent on seeing the sunrise from an establishment near the top of Fuji Mountain. I spent most of the night watching the season finales of Scrubs and The Office (again), and didn't get to sleep until 12am, so it kind of sucked getting up. But it was worth it in the end, considering I got some pretty sweet pics.
Check that out, Planet Earth status.
More photos on my Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2175401&l=a7e0a&id=839671
// tim
Your Mt Fuji photos are amazing! I'm planning to take a trip to Kawaguchiko next month -- would you mind sharing tips on how to book this hotel? Hotel web site is in Japanese, and I also attempted to call their trunk line -- communication was a real challenge. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHaha, how'd you come across my blog? I'm surprised word of this things spread beyond a few close friends~
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the trip was arranged by my aunt, who lives in Tokyo. I did fine this link though:
http://www.japanican.com/hotels/ShisetsuDetail.aspx?st=4258037
Perhaps that may be of some use~ Best of luck! And I hope you enjoy your trip. The hotel is definitely a once in a lifetime experience~
Hi tim! Oh, I just googled the hotel name, and your blog was one of the hits :-) I also read your page on japanese burgers ---- I'll have to try making it sometime! I've come across japanican before but this web agent's super overpriced (compared to making the reservation with the hotel directly). Thanks for your help, though! If I can't find another alternative then japanican it is!
ReplyDelete