Japan Pilgrimage II Day 8 - Guest Blogged by 浪迹天涯小狗

Warning: Image.. Not much!


As I sit staring out the window..


WHERE IS FUJI-SAN!!??!?!?!?

Haiz.. That's the only dampener of the Kawaguchiko trip.

富士さんいない!!!!!!!!!!! (｡＞0＜｡)


The view from our room window.
The little building is where the animals have their meals and the path to the onsen is just in front of it.


Mio strikes a pose against the missing-Fuji-san backdrop.


And Mugi probably just wants Mistress to help her down from the dangerous ledge.


One unidentified insect near where Mistress was doing her photoshoot.
The pincers do look scary even thou the insect is only around 1cm long.

Despite the drizzle and the coldness, Mistress and gang decides to go for another onsen before they check out!~ (It was actually decided last night to wake up early for it) Mistress initially wanted to wake up for sunrise but with her laziness, the sun was already shining at her bum when she woke up.

Off they went for another round of relaxation (the onsen was empty) and later straight for buffet breakfast (another yums meal) while I accompanied SDLL. No pics of the breakfast bcos neither of them brought a cam along!!

Finally time to check out and say goodbye to Kawaguchiko. The weather's still wet and it was FREEZINGLY COLD! The weather only serves to make the animals want to be in one with the onsen all day..


The heavy incoming fog that blocks all view of nature.


5.2 degrees!! No wonder!
Mistress has already shrunk deep into her scarf and micro fleece jacket..


Fuji-san is everywhere but not there!
This notice was at the back of the toilet cubicles in Kawaguchiko station.


Fuji-san inspired onigiris.
They do sell those Fuji-san seaweeds which might induce people to be generous with a few of their buckeroos all in the kawaii name.


A brightly colored Thomas the Train train!


Thomas and Friends line up the sides of the train.
But this is not our train back to Tokyo. Boo!



Thankfully the trains are equipped with oh-so-comfortable-that-keeps-making-Mistress-fall-asleep heaters that warms your feet and sends some fuzziness thru your whole body or all you'll see is 3 frozen animals arriving at Tokyo.

Changing trains to go for a bit of shopping~

Standing at the platform receiving all the wind forces while waiting for the train is worst when its cold. The animals were hiding behind notice boards or vending machines to escape from the chill!


Needing something warm for her hands, Mistress bought this canned red bean soup. (She doesnt drink coffee and doesnt want to try the corn soup..)
Wasn't bad actually.


Hiroki!!
The JR advertisements goes on a monthly run. Hiroki was replaced in Nov.

We hopped into the Ueno ticketing counter to get our Suica cards as the 7 days JR pass have already expired.


Oh nos! The onigiris are alive!!

It was raining terribly so the animals popped into this smoke-filled cafe for lack of something better/economical (they din notice the smoke before they stepped in..) at this side of the road for late lunch.


Curry Rice! Hmm.. pretty normal..

They quickly settled their lunch to escape the smoke and ran past a few blocks with their flimsy umbrellas to "hide" in Yamashiroya toy store. Mistress spent on a couple of things there which was later given to Mao Mao and the other item was a request to buy from her colleague. Otherwise, VERY TAME already.. No gundams (no time to fix), no lomos (too expensive, no Diana Minis anyway).

Was still drizzling when we returned to check in at House of Ikebukuro.

Horrors! We were assigned to a different annex room, and at 2nd floor to boot!! Oh My Goodness... (actually not my problem...)

So Mistress and gang had to drag their luggage up the metal staircase on one hand, holding the umbrella in the other, and fearing for their lives with all their heart.

After the tough work was done, they braved the rain again to do some walking around Ikebukuro station and most importantly, get some food back for dinner/supper.


Mix & Match dinner from Tobu/Seibu basement/Convenience Store


Croquette. No fight for the piping hot one at Arashiyama.


Some specialty onigiri. Convenience store ones still are tastier.


But there's a small quail egg in this. Surprise!


Mont Blanc Pepsi. Very very sweet caramel taste.


Cute fire extinguisher


Meiji Milk! Which Mistress couldnt live without during overseas trips!
Lubricant she says. HAHA!

And with the heater on, the snoozing animals were cuddled up under the futons while the cold wind continues to rage outside..