YAMANASHI: Hottarakashi Onsen with direct views of Mt. Fuji and tasty grape icy soft cream! (Lumix TZ60)

Had a chance to tag along with a friend to visit Hottarashiki Onsen in Yamanashi Prefecture... unobstructed views of Mount Fuji from both the food benches and outdoor onsen. 

Do you know what Hottarakashi ほったらかし means in English? Its something like left alone or uncared for... Like when someone doesn`t care about their yard and lets it do whatever.  The area around the outdoor onsen hot springs sure did need a weed wacker. 

Didnt notice any English buttons so brush up on your Hiragana!

Of course! Yamanashi is wildly popular for their grapes and had to get the Milk and Grape mix soft cream! Japanese Lesson:  牛乳 (Gyuunew - Milk) と(To - and) ぶどう (Budou - Grape) のミックス (Mikkusuu Mix). 牛乳とぶどうのミックス！

This was more of an icy ice cream rather than creamy like those sundays at McDonalds.  Was very refreshing... and the waffle cone so tasty!  400 yen a must!

Snow capped Fuji-san!  

If you are here for the onsen its 800 yen for adults... don`t forget to bring both a bath and body towel! The very thin towels were rather expensive.... 1000 yen and 200 yen.

Just a short Taxi ride (about 2300 yen, 2.25 miles) from Yamanashi train station.  Oh soooo very unusual but this place allows Tattoos... Maybe the yakuza don`t frequent the place or there is a large inbound tourist fan base.

There is also a Hottarakashi Camping area nearby too! Normally camping sites don`t have shower facilities so just hop on over to the onsen.

Restaurant: Hottarakashi Onsen

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/yamanashi/A1901/A190101/19006215/

Address J: 山梨県山梨市矢坪1669-18

Address E:  Yamanashi ken, Yamanashi shi, Yatsubo 1669-18

MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/TWnL9MhtD6v3WDF66

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YAMANASHI: Akafuji Restaurant to give their Houtou Hotpot Noodles a try! A bit on the very light flavored watery side... ho hum. (Sony RX100, TZ60)

When in Yamanashi prefecture you MUST try the local Houtou noodle hotpot!  Its been over 10 years since I went to my 1st experience and it was soooo goood!  

https://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2011/08/yamanashi-kosaku-houtou-noodle-shop.html

So my local friend decided to pop into Akafuji... a choice due to convenience.

Lots of space!

Original spicy miso...works well with chilled skinny Japanese cucumbers.

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Basic and most popular Pumpkin Houtou starts at 1,265 yen,

Went with the 1,485 yen sliced pork item. 

Looks like home made umeshu (Plum sake)

Comfy tatami seating with opening below the table to dangle your feet. 

Soba noodle prep area. 

First dish was their chicken gizzards with quail eggs.... a bit on the very sweet side.  Almost tasted like a sweet teriyaki sauce.

And my Houtou Arrives!  At first glance the soup looked very light and not so muddy with very little miso paste.  Hmm... 

This pot is actually huge!  Can easily serve 2 adults. 

Noodles were on the unusually thin side.  

Overall the Houtou served here really lacked any punch and the flavor was rather watered down.  I later met with the mayor of this town and he totally didn`t recommend it as the soup is watery.  Anyways the staff was super friendly and maybe other options are better!  Its a skip for me!

Restaurant: Akafuji 

Restaruant JP: 郷土料理とお食事処 赤富士

Website: http://akafuji0339.com/

Tabelog Foodie:  https://tabelog.com/yamanashi/A1901/A190103/19006247/

Address J: 山梨県笛吹市石和町川中島110

Address E: 110 Isawacho Kawanakajima, Fuefuki, Yamanashi 406-0024

MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/wJeBHUeWVtwiQaeJA

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