How to eat "Shingen-mochi" (not "Mizu Shingen-mochi")

Shingen-mochi is one of the delicious local sweets of Yamanashi prefecture.

This is my own way to eat it.

Untie the wrap.

Separate the brown sugar syrup and the mochi cup.

Turn the cup upside down to throw off the extra roasted soybean flour.

Put the syrup on mochi.

Be sure to eat them before becoming hard.

So yummy!

A restaurant guide has come out

A restaurant guide for Mt. Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes Area has come out... lately (Sorry, I don't know exactly when).  My favorite is #20's BIG Tendon (variety of Tempra on rice in a bowl)!

"Yamaboshi (=Kousa dogwood)" Japanese Restaurant

I had lunch at "Yamaboshi".  You can see both lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji from inside.  All dishes are homemade.  Very healthy. I like this restaurant.

This is Shokado-bento, 1,365yen.

It contains chawan-mushi (=savory steamed egg),

gratin, omlet, salad, jelly, tempra, etc.

Banana mousse

menu

the exterior

View fujiyama journal in a larger map

Heritage Music Festival

The 12th Heritage Music Festival took place at Stella Theater in Kawaguchiko town. Being impressed by "Mt. Fuji Charter （富士山憲章）" at the Herb Festival in Kawaguchiko, local musicians have been holding this charity concert since 1999.

I enjoyed not only music but also fusion cuisine! (This is indian curry&rice with fried dumplings)

Okuto (soba noodle restaurant)

I enjoyed soba (buckwheat noodle) yesterday. This restaurant is in Kofu city, a bit far from Fuji Five Lakes area though. As I am a big eater, I gobbled up this set meal (1,800yen) in a few minutes. It includes tempra, sashimi, chicken guts coated with sweet soy sauce (This dish is one of the Yamanashi's local specialties. Usually it is served at soba noodle restaurants in Yamanashi.), soba noodle, steamed soba & rice, and a slice of cantaloupe melon.

This restaurant first started to serve this menu about 60 years ago. Now it's getting popular and you can eat at most of any soba noodle restaurants in Yamanashi. Why don't you try this "tori-motsu-ni" when you come here?

Araki-tei (Udon)

I had lunch at Araki-tei before going to Fujiyama-onsen today. The soup was not my taste though, I was satisfied with the crispy kakiage-tempra on top of the bowl.

Restaurant Romarin

This is one of the well-reputed restaurants around Kawaguchiko area. I had a lunch course there today. The whitefish saute was crisp on the outside and juicy in the middle. The herbs were all organic. The place was filled with natural light... I had a wonderful time.


Restaurant Romarin

Lunch: 11:30am-2:30pm
Tea time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Dinner: 6:30pm-9:00pm
Holiday: Wednesday
Phone: 0555-73-3717
Address: 6713-37 Funatsu Fujikawaguchiko-machi

Mampuku （万福）

Mampuku is a local restaurant located on the lakeside of Kawaguchiko. A big woodcarving bear welcomes you with his open mouth anytime! My favorite dish is this big-sized Tendon (tempra on rice). How big the shrimp is! This set menu has miso soup and some side dishes. Surprisingly, it's just 1,260yen! Please go there and enjoy the food.

Mampuku （万福）

lunch: 11:00am-2:30pm

dinner: 5:00pm-8:00pm
holiday: irregularly

phone: 0555-76-7424

address: 829 Kawaguchi Fujikawaguchiko-machi

HONDA KITCHEN

HONDA KITCHEN is one of my favorite lunch places. They serve several kinds of set meals. I always order "Deep-fried oyster meal(900yen)" or "Stir-fried veggies meal(700yen)". You can choose white or brown rice, and have as much as you want!

Located just next to the Bell Shopping Center in Fujikawaguchiko town.

I love bread!

For my health, I am trying to eat the breads made with wild yeast. There are some "GREAT" bakeries around lake Kawaguchi.

1. BIO http://www17.ocn.ne.jp/~bio/

My favorite are these three... pain de campagne, basil&cheese, and fruits&nuts. And I love Mr. & Mrs. Ishimoto, the owner of this bakery!

2. La Boulangerie http://www.laboulangerie.jp/

My favorite are sweet Danish pastries and "fougasse"!!!! This fougasse is soooo delicious! These are not wild yeast breads, though..... Chiaki-chan, the owner, is a very cheerful and sweet girl. I sometimes go there just for chatting with her! Sorry to bother you, Chiaki-chan!

3. Kinuta http://www.kinuta.com/

All of these are wild yeast breads. Very tasty.

Cafe Gekko

There's an old-fashioned area called "Nishiura" in Fujiyoshida city. Some movies were shot on location in this area. This atmosphere reminds us the days in Showa.

This nostalgic cafe is "Cafe Gekko". Gekko means moonlight.
You can enjoy the aromatic organic coffee and delicious homemade cakes.

Cafe Gekko
http://www.mumonan.com/03.html

One of the 5 lakes

Lake Motosu is the deepest lake of Fuji 5 lakes. A lava flow of Jogan eruption (864A.D.) divided lake Old Se into 3 lakes, lake Sai, Shoji, and Motosu. A picture of Mt.Fuji over this lake, which was taken by Koyo Okada (岡田紅葉), is printed on current 1,000yen bill and former 5,000yen bill.

I had lunch at Honjin Tsukasa. I love deep-fried shrimp!

Casa Osano (Italian restaurant)

This serene restaurant is located near Kawaguchiko train station. Need to make a reservation.

Lyon

Lyon is one of my favorite restaurants. I often go there because their foods are so delicious. I always order "big-plate lunch" (1,260yen)


LYON

lunch: 12:00am-2:30pm
dinner: 6:00pm-10:00pm
holiday: Tuesday
phone: 0555-72-2762
address: 7578-9 Funatsu Fujikawaguchiko-machi