Exploring Kawaguchiko Part 2 - Lake Saiko and Iyashi No Sato Nemba

One can explore the west side of Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko) by getting a one day pass riding the green line sightseeing bus.

The first attraction is Lake Saiko. One can see the colorful lake along the bus journey. There is a bus stop where one can drop by to take a picturesque scenery with Mt Fuji in the backdrop. The deep blue water provides a sense of serenity.

View from inside the bus

Surreal country road

Lake Saiko

Autumn color everywhere

The most popular stop is Iyashi No Sato Nemba, a rebuilt tourist traditional village at the northwest of Lake Saiko. There are 20 thatched roof shophouses that serve as museums, handicraft shops and restaurants. The rewarding part is the surrounding scenery that provides tranquility with Mt Fuji as backdrop. 

Entrance to Sato Nemba

Mesmerising scenery

A decoration

A peaceful view

Upon returning to Kawaguchiko, one can explore and walk around the lake. The best time to visit is in early Nov during autumn, where the trees and flowers turn into bright red and yellow colors along the main road. There is a Momiji Corridor, an autumn color tunnel filled with red color maple trees along a canal, perpendicular to the main road on the northern shore of the lake.

Autumn color everywhere around Lake Kawaguchiko

Momiji Corridor

The end of the tunnel

Lake Kawaguchi

View from hostel

Kawaguchiko Station

Exploring Kawaguchiko Part 1 - Oshino Hakkai and Chureito Pagoda

There are few places to explore around Kawaguchiko in a single day. That was when I took a train from Kawaguchiko to explore south west to Fujiyama, Oshino Hakkai and Chureito Pagoda. It was autumn and the presence of momiji autumn color enhanced the natural beauty of the surroundings.

The 1st stop was Oshino Hakkai, where I took atrain from Kawaguchiko to Fujisan station, then a 20 mins bus ride to Oshino Hakkai Village. It is a scenic village with beautiful fish ponds and Mt Fuji in the backdrop.

Oshino Hakkai

Next, I explored Arakura Sengen Shrine, where there were stairs leading to Chureito Pagoda at the top with amazing Mt Fuji view. This is the popular spot for Mt Fuji viewpoint, as I can see many websites or posters share the exact spot.

Chureito Pagoda

Another place to explore is Mt Fuji viewpoint in Kawaguchiko town. Instead of taking a ropeway, I climbed up to the viewpoint, savoring the scenic views as I climbed higher and higher. 

Mt Fuji Kawaguchiko Viewpoint

Hiking in Hatyai

Most visitors go to Hatyai in search of shopping and food hunting. I, on the other hand, was trying to look for small hill to hike in Hatyai.

On the 1st trip to Hatyai, I went exploring Songkla, a more mellow town around 1 hour away by bus. There is a hill in the town called Tangkuan Hill where people go by cable car to the top for temple visit and bird's eye view of the town. I walked to the other side of the foothill to climb the stairs in about 25 mins instead, to the top. It was as short isolated steep hike. 

Start of hike at foothill

Lonely isolated stairs

Songkla town

View from top of Tangkuan Hill

On the 2nd visit 2 months later, I explored another hill in Hatyai Municipal Park near Hatyai city. There are few sightseeing venues in the hill,where 99% visitors will drive or take a public transport up. I took a grab car service to the entrance at the foothill. From there, I walked around 30 mins uphill on the main tarred road whereby many vehicles pass by me.

The 1st pitstop was a four face Buddha temple where firecrackers were played for good luck. The surrounding view was not that impressive though. From there, I walked in the other direction for another 30 mins on the main road to the viewpoint. There, we can get a bird' s eye view of the city. 

From the viewpoint, I walked through the stairs down to the foothill passing by another temple. There is a small less visited flower garden at the bottom.

Walking on a tarred road where only cars pass through

View from four face Buddha temple

Hatyaoitown from afar

Sun salutation sunflowers where they grow in the direction of the sun