Lake Kawaguchiko, Mt. Fuji from Tokyo, Japan

March 17

Wow, this was my most challenging tour to book. I initially booked a guide on Viator that got great reviews, but they never answered any questions. Months went by and my last question was “does anyone read this?” (and contacted Viator to complain) Finally I got a response, and I was presented with a menu of options. I asked for what was on the website and basically, he said to get all of that it would cost a LOT more. No way to do the advertised tour in our timeframe and for the cost advertised. It more than doubled the price per person. (just getting him as a guide would cost more and they charged by the hour after a certain amount of time even if traffic was slow)

I kept checking ToursByLocals and no one was doing the trip from Tokyo or couldn’t take the number of people that wanted to come. Finally, I found a guide that gave me the information on how to take the train to Kawaguchiko Station from Shinjuku. She then would do the same tour (and more) for a fraction of the other guide’s original cost. (mush less with the added costs) and she would do a group of 10.

Of course, our day could be a mountain shrouded in clouds or worse yet, rain! (little did we know it would be snow)

We agreed to meet Desiree and Paul at Starbucks at 6:30. We walked together to the train station and found our track. We got chocolate pastries for breakfast at the train station. A guy tried to tell us that we had to change trains and maybe we should be at another track to catch our train, but we knew ours was the Fuji Express and we didn’t change, and we were in the right place. We found Jim and Pam who had come from another train station, and we were all there. We were all relieved to see each other!

 on the walk to the station

Our guide was Yumiko. Corrina & Rod had to leave the ship early since her dad was passing away and Cathi & Michael were sick and canceled the day before, so just the 6 of us today. 

The day before the guide was texting that she was worried that the train might not be able to go since they had gotten 10 inches of snow that day.

It took 2 hours to get to Kawaguchiko Station. We were surprised to have “Standers” and since we were in the last seat in the car, they were right behind us. (Since they sell out, maybe they go standby. If seats open up they can sit in them.

photos from the train

Mt. Fuji from the train - we stopped to let people off at this station

We found our guide Yumiko and her friend (also a guide) who was helping her since she had broken her foot and was in a cast. She said that I booked so far in advance she didn’t want to cancel our tour. She was amazing.

They had gotten about 10 inches of snow the day before, so there was fresh snow on Fuji. However, it was sunny today and what was on the ground was melting with lots of sloppy slushy areas to walk on.

We started at Oshino Hakkai water village. It is known for beautiful reflection shots if weather is cooperating. It’s a small area that features traditional village houses, shops and watermills set against a spectacular backdrop of Japan’s most famous mountain. Not much in the reflection department today due to icy water and the snow. Located between Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka, Oshino Hakkai is home to eight sacred ponds fed by the crystal-clear waters of Mount Fuji's snowmelt.

Yumiko first took us to get some mochi. (before returning to the van to keep her foot up and her friend took over) 

we stopped for Mochi

Paul & Desiree

Jim & Pam

Shouldn't have taken that bite just as she took the photo

cute child in a stroller with 2 dogs

this one is man-made the rest are natural

Fuji was clear except for one cloud blocking the very top. It just wouldn’t clear.

After the village we went up to Arakurayama Sengen Park. Here we took photos of Mt. Fuji with the Chureito Pagoda. I was only going to go part-way and Pam was going to stay with me, then she decided she wanted to do it, so off we went! We climbed 398 steps to get to the top. (Pam was counting them) At this point I had only eaten the chocolate breakfast pastry, and I was wishing I had had more calories to do the hike up.

walking to the park

Jim & Pam ahead of me

part way up

Cenotaph for people from Fujiyoshida City who died during the Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, and the Pacific War

at the top - in season cherry blossoms would be on the naked trees

Pan & Me

Cenotaph for people from Fujiyoshida City who died during the Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, and the Pacific War

Seems we all had the same idea as we all said we were ready for lunch. On the walk back to the van Jim bought one of their HUGE apples and had them cut it into 10 portions so we all could have some (including one for Yuki who was waiting for us in the van) They were called “Fuji Apples” but not the kind we know here in the States. We each had enough apple slices that equaled a small apple. They were in season as well as strawberries. The guide bought us a basket to share.

Fuji apples

We had a great lunch today. Yuki told us that they have noodles that are only served in their 5 Lakes region. Hoto Noodles are thick wheat noodles in a miso-based soup and often is served in an iron pot. While Hoto noodles resemble extra thick Udon noodles, they are prepared more like dumplings and lend a heartier quality to the dish than Udon would. They were delicious! My set came with tempura shrimp and vegetables and Greg ordered Fried shrimp combo.

Konami Restaurant

interior

Combo meal with fried shrimp

set meal with Hoto noodles in a small iron pot & tempura shrimp & vegetables, rice, soft-boiled egg, 

At lunch we discussed that the line for the cable car was too long, and it might be better to do the boat ride on the lake. We all agreed.

First, we went to get a closer look at Lake Kawaguchiko. We also stopped at Oishi Park which is the spring is known for its lavenders. (naked this time of year, like the cherry trees at the pagoda)

We stopped at Fuji Oishi Hana Terrace, a small village with shops & snacks (Ice cream & more) A couple of buses full of people had just arrived and we scrapped going for ice cream or buying anything as we’d never get through the line. There was no line for hot chocolate, so we got some. Being cold out it made more sense anyway…..

view across from the restaurant

We went to where they load the boats for the scenic ride around the Lake with great views of Fuji. We were willing that stubborn cloud to clear, but it seemingly was there to stay. At one point it cleared enough to see part of the top. We all got quite excited about that.

the ropeway (cable car) that we didn't do

another boat on the lake

inside the boat (upstairs was open and too cold)

our guides

stubborn cloud

the top has cleared but the cloud remains

We had a bit of time left so we stopped for some dessert at the Apple Pie Lab. We both got an apple pastry that was delicious.

The Apple Pie Lab (what a cute name)

apple pastries

It was time to go back to the train station and wouldn’t you know Mt Fuji was clear at the top! Unfortunately, it was with buildings and wires in the way, but we cherished it, nonetheless. We ran down the street to get “classic” shot of Fuji behind the Lawsons.

the building is the train station

going for food for the train

We are the train on the left

this was from the train (almost dark) at the stop to let people on

The train station was sold out of food to bring on the train for dinner, so we ran to 7/11 and got fried chicken on sticks and some Diet Cokes.

We were all in different cars for the ride back so when we got off, we didn’t see anyone to say goodbye. We went out the wrong way to get out of the station near the hotel so we went back and traced our steps and went the other way and once we were outside, we could see Paul & Desiree a bit more than a block ahead of us. They later told us that they did the same thing.

back in Tokyo

she was part of a band, and she wanted people to come to their concert

magnet

We got gelato at the hotel, and it was time for bed for our tour to Kamakura tomorrow, which thankfully didn't start until 9:00.

Mt Fuji https://photos.app.goo.gl/AkswgcuP6MvjGpVG9

We saw 5 species of birds today with the White-cheeked Starling being new. (Asian Tit, Daurian Redstart, Eurasian Coot, Mallard, White-cheeked Starling)