Japan Kantō Winter Drive to Mt Fuji - Part 6 - Last (Tokyo-Singapore)

Departing from Kusatsu, we headed towards Ikaho Onsen to meet our friends for lunch. Coincidentally they were on their way to Kusatsu on the same day we depart! 

Lake Haruna

To reach Ikaho Onsen, we had to pass through Mt Haruna, also known as Mount Akina in Initial D!

Firstly there was Lake Haruna, where we took a little stroll and tried to take a few steps on the frozen waters~ Except for the occasional cars which passed by, there was hardly anyone in the area. 

After Lake Haruna came the main event, the drive from Lake Haruna to Ikaho Onsen is supposed to be the actual route that Initial D creators based their Mt Akina route on. Some kind person has marked the map here. 

Japan Kantō Winter Drive to Mt Fuji - Part 5 (Ryokan Tokinoniwa 季の庭)

On the last day we check-in into 湯宿　季の庭（ときのにわ）Tokinoniwa
[Official Website]. It is an onsen ryokan situated in the southern part of Kusatsu town. They are part of the Kyoritsu Resort Group and their establishments are usually nice and stylish.

After we parked the car and walked into the main hall, the first thing we were told to do was to take off our shoes before we stepped onto the reception area. Initially I thought it was a hassle to take off my shoes and then have to wear them again when we go to the rooms. It was later then I realized that the entire building was covered with tatami mat! 

Japan Kantō Winter Drive to Mt Fuji - Part 4 (Exploring Kusatsu)

One of the key reason why we stayed at Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Village instead of beside the Yubatake was because J wanted to play with snow. The very next morning we woke up early for the buffet breakfast and walked to the snow field of the resort.

Japan Kantō Winter Drive to Mt Fuji - Part 3 (Lake Kawaguchi-Kusatsu)

The amazing Matsumoto Castle...

After Lake Kawaguchi, we were supposed to make a 3.5 hour drive to Kusatsu. However I chose to make a detour to visit Matsumoto Castle. I'm a big fan of Japanese castles and I was not going to miss this as Matsumoto Castle has the oldest castle donjon remaining in Japan.

Japan Kantō Winter Drive to Mt Fuji - Part 2 (Atami-Lake Kawaguchi)

On this day we have a date with Mt Fuji~

After checking-out of our hotel we continued our drive towards Lake Kawaguchi. The day's drive would bring us to Mishima Skywalk, then Gotemba Premium Outlet and finally Lake Kawaguchi where I booked ourselves a nice room with a view of Mt Fuji!

Japan Kantō Winter Drive to Mt Fuji - Part 1 (Tokyo-Atami)

In 2017, went to Japan right after Chinese New Year. That was one of the first journey whereby we spent virtually the entire trip by self-Driving around Japan.This trip will bring us from Tokyo to Hakone before stopping at Atami for a night, then onwards to Lake Kawaguchi for a night to take a look at Mt Fuji. After that we will head upwards to Kusatsu with a detour to Matsumoto Castle for a look before finally making our way back to Tokyo.