1-Day Tour: Hakone (箱根), Mt. Fuji 5th Station (富士五合目), Grapes picking (ぶどう狩り) and Winery (ワイナリー) in Yamanashi (山梨県)

This was another company-sponsored bus tour and has become an annual thing now, and like before when we went to Shosenkyo Gorge in Yamanashi and Umihotaru among other places in Chiba, everything was pre-arranged. Here's our itinerary for this trip.

08:00 - Departure from Shin-yokohama
09:20 - Lake Ashi Cruise & Mt. Komagatake Ropeway (芦ノ湖遊覧船＆駒ヶ岳ロープウェー)
11:00 - Lunch at Hako-en (箱根園)
         - Oshinohakkai (忍野八海)
         - Mt. Fuji 5th Station (富士五合目)
15:00 - Grapes picking in Miharashi-en Farm (ぶどう狩り 見晴し園にて)
         - Winery (ワイナリー)
19:30 - Arrival at Shin-yokohama

From that itinerary, we were not able to go to Oshinohakkai because of time constraints, and everything happened so fast that some of our stops were quite short. Anyway, the weather was also not what we expected, especially during the cruise and ropeway part.

First stop was the Lake Ashi Cruise to Mt. Komagatake Ropeway. Don't be fooled by the word "cruise", as it is just a short ride from the bus parking across the lake to the ropeway terminus. When we got to the top of Mt. Komagatake, there were already snow and the visibility was so poor that we didn't see any of the view that we were expecting. The forecast was clear, but it was a little bit of a disappointment.

Hako-en was near the bus parking, so after the ropeway ride, we were able to have our lunch immediately. Our lunch that day was kamameshi (釜飯), which is rice, meat, and vegetables served in a small pot. After the quick lunch, we were on our way to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji, where the climbers usually start their hike to the top of Japan's highest mountain.

After Mt. Fuji, we had to go to Yamanashi prefecture from Kanagawa prefecture for the grapes picking and the winery. When our bus arrived at the farm, we had to take a mini-bus to the actual place where they grow their grapes. We were given 30 minutes to eat all the grapes we wanted, but if we wanted to take home some, we had to pay JPY1,200 for 3 bundles. The winery was just 5 minutes away from the grapes farm, and the actual place was named Fujicco Winery. We were able to try various wines for free, and those who liked them bought some bottles of wines. For my wife and I, we got a bottle of Kiwi wine, a bottle of pure apple juice, and a bottle of Japan's 2nd best red wine of 2012. It was already dark when we left the winery to go back to Yokohama.

Edo Wonderland (日光江戸村)

Edo Wonderland is another theme park in Kinugawa Onsen (鬼怒川温泉), Tochigi prefecture (栃木県), Japan. Just like Tobu World Square, this theme park is accessible by bus from Kinugawa Onsen station (鬼怒川温泉駅) of the Tobu line (東武線). One-way fare costs JPY400.

But because of our Kinugawa Theme Park Pass, our bus rides were free between the train station and the theme parks. The admission to the theme parks were also included, so we didn't have to pay for our tickets, which usually cost JPY4500.

The English name of the theme park may not be explicit, but the Japanese name - translated literally as Nikko Edo Village - is straight to the point. The park is set in Japan's Edo period, so the attractions and events are mainly focused on ninjas and geishas. We got to watch a ninja show and also the water show, but taking pictures were not allowed inside the presentation halls.

In between shows, we were able to see a parade that went around the park. I didn't exactly understand what they wanted to show in the parade, but it was interesting especially their traditional costumes. Also, the park was not lacking in souvenir shops, food stalls and  small amusement places like the shuriken throwing shop where kids lined up.

Edo Wonderland official website