First published on TripZilla, in collaboration with ZUJI.

Read Part 1 before continuing.

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Day 1: Tokyo

Tokyo is a bustling metropolitan city, boasting a skyline peppered with glistening skyscrapers and streets plastered with neon billboards. Amidst all this hustle and bustle, however, I was delighted to discover a few pockets of peace and quiet – by taking a stroll along Meguro River or having a picnic in one of the city’s parks, my favourite of which being Yoyogi Park.

Tip: Visiting Tokyo’s parks during Sakura Season is a definite bonus but with the blooms come inescapable crowds – which sort of defeats the purpose of tranquility, doesn’t it? No matter the season, lush greenery or inviting autumn foliage awaits. Grab a picnic mat from Daiso for just S$2 to complete the experience.

Alternatively, go for a Yakatabune ride, a barge-style boat that are traditionally used for partying whilst out at sea. It’s a really interesting experience to have – I sat on tatami mats on the floor and indulged in a kaiseki (traditional Japanese cuisine) meal. This is a great way to sightsee Tokyo from a different vantage point! I also rented a rowboat at Inokashira Park, which is available at Meguro River as well.

Day 2-3: Lake Kawaguchiko

The main draw of Lake Kawaguchiko, ironically, isn’t the lake, but the magnificent Mt. Fuji! The best place to view Mt. Fuji is at Chureito Pagoda, located a 10-minute walk from Shimo-Yoshida Station on the Fujikyu Railway line. I had to climb over 400 steps to reach the top; it was insanely tiring but we persevered and the view at the top was more than worth it!

A ride on the Fujikyu Railway is also an experience in itself, where even the carriage is Mt. Fuji themed. I recommend staying a night here at Lake Kawaguchiko; there are plenty of hot springs and onsens in the area. Choose to have lunch in a restaurant overlooking Mt. Fuji, where you’ll bring ‘dining with a view’ to a whole other level.

Tip: Check the weather forecast before you go. Mt. Fuji is elusive and will only be visible on clear days.

How to get there: Take a Limited Express Train from Tokyo station to Otsuki station (78 minutes), then transfer to the Fujikyu Railway towards Lake Kawaguchiko (55 minutes)

Day 4: Hitachi Seaside Park

Image credit: Charmain Yong

Come spring every year, Japan erupts in a cacophony of colours in the form of various flower festivals. Late March and early April see the arrival of Sakura season, while May hails the blooming of wisteria, shibazakura as well as nemophila. I’ve seen countless photos of the baby-blue sea of Nemophila flowers carpeting the Hitachi Seaside Park, and simply couldn’t wait to see it for myself. I definitely wasn’t disappointed – the sight was really something else!

Tip: Don’t leave without checking out the beautiful garden of tulips located near the nemophila.

How to get there: Take a direct Highway bus from Tokyo station to the Hitachi Seaside Park.

Day 5: Hakone

Hakone is an active volcanic region,and is home to numerous natural phenomenon. I had to take various modes of transportation to get around the island – a cable car, a rope way and even a pirate ship that brought me on a cruise around Lake Ashi. Don’t leave without seeing the floating torii gate at Hakone Shrine as well as Owakudani, a sulphuric hot springs area. If you have the time, do drop by the Old Cedar Path which is lined with hundreds of towering cedar trees, some of which reach up to a height of 40 metres.

Image credit: Seiya Ishibashi

Tip: At Owakudani, do try one of the famous black eggs cooked in the area’s hot springs. Eating one egg is said to be able to prolong your lifespan by seven years! I also quite like the egg-flavoured soft serve, which was both savoury and sweet at once.

How to get there: The easiest option would be to purchase the Hakone Free Pass, which includes round-trip transportation between Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Hakone as well as unlimited access to the various modes of transport on Hakone Island.

Day 6: Enoshima

Image credit: Seiya Ishibashi

Enoshima is the most famous island of Sagami Bay and is a wonderland for nature lovers. Locals and tourists alike flock to the beaches during warmer weather, where surfing and jet-skiing are commonplace. All year round, however, the island has plenty to offer – Enoshima is home to a shrine, an observation tower shaped like a lighthouse, multiple caves and a series of shallow pools along the coast. I heard that Mt. Fuji is also visible from the island on clear days!

Tip: Be warned that there are a lot of stairs to climb throughout the island; I recommend purchasing the ‘Enopass’, a one-day pass that will grant you access to a variety of attractions, as well as unlimited usage of a series of escalators that will bring you all the way to the peak of the island.

How to get there: Take the JR Tokaido line from Tokyo station to Fujisawa station (47 minutes), then transfer to the Enoshima Electric Railway towards Katase-Enoshima station (6 minutes).

Day 7: Kusatsu Onsen

Image credit: inf_supTJ

Onsens are a dime a dozen in Japan but my top pick is Kusatsu Onsen that dates back to the Edo period. Travel back in time at Kusatsu, which revolves around the Yubatake (hot water field) in the center of town. I suggest that you stay a night in a ryokan (most of which come with indoor and outdoor onsens) but if you’re here on a day trip, you can make the most out of it with having a good soak both in the onsens and in the various free foot baths located around the town.

Tip: Get the full immersive experience by watching one of the Yumomi performances, where Japanese women use large paddles to cool the temperature of the steaming hot spring water. You might even get a chance to try this out for yourself!

How to get there: Take a Limited Express Train from Tokyo’s Ueno station directly to Kusatsu Onsen.

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Continue reading Parts 3 and 4.