D6 Shin Hotaka & Hirayu Onsen

As the weather forecastpredicted, today was indeed the perfect day to visit Shin Hotaka.
The bus ride took almost 2 hours, the view along the roads was again amazing.

Ski resort near Hirayu

Passing a ski resort on bus

The ropeway took us over 800m higher; at elevation of 2km.

Arriving peak

Unique double decker ropeway

Scenery at the top was breathtaking.

At the observation deck

Through an telescope

Jon made a proper snow ball here!

And together we made a snowman! The snow was so fluffy it was hard to make a snowball.

Scenery in the ropeway

We took short break at Hirayu onsen on the way back. Our first hot spring in the different outdoor spa. They have a total of 7 outdoor baths for men and 9 for women. It was a perfect setting to bath while enjoying the sunsets over the peaks. I could not stay in the water too long; it was getting hot and I was getting palpitations.

We had an ice cream each afterwards to cool ourselves down. By the time we got out it's completely dark outside. It's only 5pm!

D2 Lake Chuzenji

Lake Chuzenji is about 1 hour bus ride from Nikko. Nonetheless it's in much higher elevation, the bus ride was almost like a rollercoaster. The hosts at our accommodation warned us it is about 5-6 Celsius up there.

It was perfect day for outing when we first arrived. Blue sky with clouds hanging over mountain peaks. Most trees have gone barren; past their best viewing state. Only a few patches of colour remain around the lake.

As we were queuing for lunch, the weather started to change. Small freckle like things started to fall out of the sky. It is snow!! Jon's first time seeing snow!!

The wind was so chilly, but the snow and the prospect of delicious food kept our spirit up.

Lunch indeed was great, it was recommended by our hosts and that's why we had to queue for it.
The pork was so juicy and tender, big serving as well.
We rushed down our lunch as there were still 7-8 people waiting outside in the chilly wind and snow.

After lunch the snow kept going, heavy at times. The scenery around the lake changed completely in less than 1 hour. We had to wait under shelter a few times even though we were so excited to see snow.

After seeing Kegon falls, we took the bus back to town.