First today we went to see some pink flowers called Shibazakura. We got in early to avoid the crowds, but the flowers we only at 30% bloom, so in the end it wasn’t that busy. It was cold and windy, so we needed coffee and cake to warm us.

   
 
After looking at the flowers for a bit we got a bit hungry, so we had some Nikuman steamed pork buns and a grilled fish snack.

  
Then we left and headed for Yamanakako – another of the Fuji Five Lakes. The mission was to ride the giant swan boat, and we succeeded!

   
    
 
After the swan boat ride we needed lunch, but Yamanakako had slim pickings, so we got back on the bus to head back to Kawaguchiko. We got off early at Fuji San station because we were trying to figure how to get to a nearby onsen. Luckily there was a Mos Burger at the station which saved our life.

  
Then we walked to the Fujiyama Onsen. It was awesome. 

For dinner we went to the place near our accomodation that we went to for lunch yesterday because we liked it so much.

Edit: I was just looking through my blog and I realised I’d missed out on blogging about one of our days in Kawaguchiko. Normally I wouldn’t worry about it, but it was a particularly good day, one of my faves in fact. So, I am just going to add it on to this days blog.

So the next day it was quite cloudy and looked like it was going to rain, but we had our hearts set on hiring bikes and riding around the lake. I hadn’t ridden a bike in about 20 years or more and I am not afraid to say I was a little terrified when I saw the bike I was supposed to ride – a Men’s fixed gears bike that looked way too big for me. However, after a bit of a shakey start I got the hang of it. I guess you don’t ever forget how to ride a bike.

First stop, was the small shopping centre up the road from our accomodation. We picked up some canned coffees and Mister Donut to have for morning tea. We rode up to the lake where there were tables out on some suspected lava rocks and enjoyed our morning tea. It was a little more cold and windy than we would’ve liked.

   
   
Then we began our journey around the lake. Even though it was cloudy, Mt Fuji was still visible at some points, and there was still plenty of Sakura to see.

We had to ride a bit quicker than we wanted to as the storm clouds were rolling in. We stopped at a few spots around the way. About 3/4 of the way around we found a small place to stop for lunch. We were the only customers and they cooked our lunch up fresh. I had an Udon Nabe and Steve had a vegetable curry. They were really good and extra enjoyable after all the riding we had done. 

   
  
Whilst we were having lunch, it started to rain. So we rode the rest of the way round the lake in the rain. It wasn’t so bad though. We stopped at a small temple area

   
 
After we made it all the way around the lake, we went back to our accomdation for a bit of a rest. Then we rode to the onsen, which was just what we needed after a long days riding. Then we stopped off briefly at some shops – discount chain store Don Quioxte and second hand shops Hard Off and Off House before riding to dinner at our favourite place.