We left our closer spot to Mount Fuji for Hakone, a place just south of Fuji Five Lakes but still with a gorgeous view of the famous mountain. During our only full day here, we took the bus to a park with impressive views, a few cafes, and a crafthouse.

One of the services it offers is making your own bead, and, for a larger cost, adding it to your very own custom jewelry. I and Z both chose to make a bracelet, but the designs they chose to adorn them with differed. While Z chose a swirl pattern to make, I decided on a bead with gold flakes as decoration.

Examples of both I and Z’s chosen designs are shown below, as well as them making the beads with the help of the instructor.

While our beads set and gained their colour in soil for a bit, we stopped at a cafe inside the garden and got mini baguettes/tea. The food was surprisingly good, and we enjoyed the view from an outside table.

Heading back to the crafthouse, it was time to personalise the beads even more with a unique choice of decoration and string. While each charm or bead added a cost, Z and I managed to stay at a reasonable price, taking some inspiration from examples provided.

We quickly finished the bracelets after another group had to share a table with us (we were taking time deciding on our beads). Despite that, Z and I’s jewelry turned out good, and they will definitely be worn in the future! Here are some better pictures of them (#1 – Z, #2 – I):