Day 45 Ginza, Lake Kawaguchiko 27 February 2026

Описание: Bakeries, Banners, Lakes, Pagodas, and a Shy Fuji-san

This morning Rika and I met at 9 am and walked to Ginza, just two blocks from the hotel, hoping for a morning coffee. Ginza is Japan’s most prestigious shopping district, the country’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue or Bond Street, and strolling through it before the crowds arrived felt wonderfully peaceful. Unfortunately, most cafés and shops only open at 10 am, but the quiet streets gave us a chance to enjoy the atmosphere.

We stopped at the famous Ginza Kimuraya, one of Japan’s oldest and most beloved bakeries. It was founded in 1869 and is famous for Sakadane Anpan, soft buns made with sake yeast, giving them a subtle aroma and chewy texture.

Since spring is approaching, they had their seasonal sakura anpan, filled with red bean paste and topped with a salted cherry blossom. It was delicate, fragrant, and truly special, a perfect taste of early spring.

We continued walking toward Tokyo Station and eventually found a small café for our long‑awaited coffee.

Along the way, I noticed banners advertising the Tokyo Marathon, taking place on Sunday, 1 March. No, I won’t be running it, but I might just catch a glimpse if the route passes through Ginza.

Time slipped by quickly, and soon Rika’s husband, Katsuke, messaged to say he was nearly at the hotel. We hurried back so Rika could check out, and then we set off for Lake Kawaguchiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes and the most popular among them.

Kawaguchiko is known for its stunning views of Mount Fuji, its accessibility from Tokyo and its mix of natural beauty, hot springs, museums, and walking trails.

The weather had improved from yesterday, a bit of sunshine, clearer skies and I was hopeful we’d see Fuji-san in all her glory. But she remained shy, her snow‑capped peak hidden behind low clouds. Even so, the lake was beautiful, calm, and peaceful.

The water level was low, as it usually is in winter. Tourists were everywhere, all hoping for that perfect Fuji view. We took a gentle walk along the lakeside before heading to lunch.

We stopped at a soba restaurant, and all three of us ordered soba noodles, each in a different style:

Katsuke: cold soba with tempura
Me: hot soba with tempura
Rika: hot soba with mixed vegetables

In the past, I usually ate soba cold, so having it hot was a lovely change- comforting and perfect for the cool mountain air.

Our next stop was Arakurayama Sengen Park in Fujiyoshida, home to the famous Chureito Pagoda. To reach it, we climbed over 400 steps, a steady ascent through trees and viewpoints. At the top, the five‑storey pagoda stood proudly against the sky.

This is the spot of the world‑famous photograph, the pagoda in the foreground, Mount Fuji rising behind it. The view became globally iconic around 2018 after a news story highlighted a Thai tourist who had discovered the location, sparking international interest.

Even though Fuji’s peak was hidden, the scene was still beautiful. I can only imagine how breathtaking it must be during cherry blossom season, when the steps are lined with pink blooms.

After descending, we treated ourselves to strawberry mochi - soft, fresh, and worlds better than the versions we get back home. It is strawberry season, after all.

After a full afternoon, we drove the 100+ km back to Tokyo. It was a lovely day out, a refreshing change of scenery and a chance to see a bit of the countryside beyond the city.

Even without Fuji-san revealing herself, the day felt special: good company, good food, and the quiet beauty of Japan’s landscapes.