Mount Fuji Adventure: Cloud-Covered Peaks and Unforgettable Memories

Our day got off to an early start because I had booked an exciting bus tour to Mt. Fuji. This one-day adventure promised to show us three fantastic Mt. Fuji viewpoints and even let us step foot on this iconic peak. We woke up at 6 a.m., planning to leave the hotel by 6:30 a.m. After a quick breakfast stop at FamilyMart, we headed over to the Ginza line station, aiming for the 7:10 a.m. train. However, as we tried to find our tour bus, things got a little nerve-wracking. Google Maps seemed to be playing tricks on us, but after a bit of persistence, we finally located our bus just in time.

During our tour, our guide shared a fascinating story about a female goddess residing within the mountain, often referred to as the Goddess of Fire. The people of Japan hold a deep connection to her, relying on her favor and strength. When she's content, she reveals herself, but when she's upset or unhappy, she shrouds herself in clouds. Unfortunately, on this day, she seemed gloomy, as thick clouds obscured our view of Mt. Fuji from that particular spot, leaving us unable to catch a glimpse of the majestic mountain.

It took approximately two hours to reach our first destination, which was Oishi Park. Situated on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, Oishi Park offered breathtaking views of the calm Kawaguchi Lake. We arrived at Oishi Park around 9:50 a.m. and had roughly 35 minutes to explore. Oishi Park is renowned for its stunning flower fields and, of course, its spectacular view of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi.

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Oishi Park, Fujikawaguchiko, 2023

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While there, we had the chance to visit a souvenir shop and a small stand where locals were selling the season's freshly harvested grapes. These grapes were surprisingly large and pricey compared to what we're used to in the Netherlands. Even the ice cream was on the expensive side, but it's a tourist spot, so we expected that. We decided to indulge in some ice cream, and it was absolutely delicious. The flavors were quite different from what we're accustomed to – lavender, blue rose, peach, shine muscat, kyoho grape, and others I can't recall off the top of my head. I must admit, I'm not even sure what a blue rose tastes like. I picked for peach, while Robin tried the shine muscat with kyoho grape. The peach was scrumptious, but the other one, well, let's just say it wasn't to my liking, possibly due to the kyoho grape. I've never been a fan of grapes, and this flavor was overwhelming. Plus, the portion size was massive. I've often complained about receiving tiny scoops of ice cream in the Netherlands, but I think I'll stick with those from now on – no more complaints from me! Haha

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Oishi Park, Fujikawaguchiko, 2023

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We strolled back to the bus at around 10:25 a.m., ready to embark on our next adventure. By 10:45 a.m, we had arrived at Arakurayama Sengen Park, where we were granted over an hour to explore. To reach the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine and the iconic red five-story pagoda (Chureito Pagoda), we had to take a short walk.

The entrance of the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine was graced by a striking red tori gate, offering a warm welcome. This shrine is a place where people come to pray to the god of disaster prevention and seek household happiness. The first set of stairs to reach the shrine was manageable, but the second set...well, let's just say it felt like a real workout. I believe there were about 400 steps, and my calves were on fire! I had to pause and catch my breath three times before finally reaching the top. But the effort was totally worth it for the incredible view. As I saw the end in sight, I immediately sought out a bench to rest, while Robin seemed to have boundless energy, exploring the area as if he wasn’t tired at all. I, on the other hand, resembled a completely exhausted potato bag! But the view of the pagoda was absolutely stunning. A pagoda serves as a peaceful memorial to honor those who lost their lives in wars, and it was a touching sight to behold.

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Arakurayama Sengen Park, Cloudy Mt Fuji, Fujiyoshida, 2023

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We made our way back to the bus as our departure time to the next destination was set for 12:05 p.m. Our next stop was Oshino Hakkai, and we arrived there at 12:25 p.m. Oshino Hakkai is renowned for its eight beautiful ponds, each with its own unique story and charm: Deguchiike, Sokonashiike, Wakuike, Kagamiike, Okamaike, Choshikke, Nigoriike, and Shobuike. These ponds owe their existence to the influence of volcanic eruption activities, eventually forming into small bodies of water fed by the underground springs of Mt. Fuji.

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Oshino Hakkai, 2023

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Among these ponds, Deguchiike stands out as the largest one, revered for its sacred water. Sokonashiike has an interesting folklore associated with clothes mysteriously disappearing when washed here. Wakuike Pond boasts the highest-quality spring water and offers stunning scenic beauty. Kagamiike Pond, as the name suggests (kagami), captures the reflection of Mount Fuji on its water surface, like a mirror. Okamaike Pond is a small yet abundant spring water pond, with its name (Okama) compared to boiling water in a pot, resembling its bubbling nature. Choshikke Pond is steeped in folklore related to good matchmaking, adding a touch of romance to the setting. Nigoriike Pond's folklore tells a tale of the water turning murky due to a refusal to provide a cup of water, adding an element of intrigue. Finally, Shobuike Pond is associated with iris flowers, and the legend goes that when the pond was revitalized, irises bloomed around its edges, creating a beautiful sight. For our lunch, we decided to dine at Hannoki, a charming little soba restaurant in town. What added a quirky twist to this place was its unique operating hours – it's open when the shopkeeper is in a good mood and closed when they're not. It's quite an interesting and laid-back approach to work, based entirely on the shopkeeper's emotions.

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Wakuike Pond, Hannoki, Hannoki view, 2023

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At 13:05 p.m, we embarked on our journey to the next destination, the renowned Mt. Fuji 5th Station. We arrived at 14:35 p.m, granting us approximately an hour to explore the area before we had to head back to Tokyo. The temperature was a chilly 14 degrees, and there I was, dressed in a dress and crocs with no sweater or jacket to keep me warm. It hadn't occurred to me that it could get quite cold on top of the mountain – quite the oversight on my part! Nonetheless, I braved the cold wind and kept moving.

Unfortunately, despite our high hopes, the clouds still obstructed our view of Mt. Fuji. Nevertheless, the scenery was absolutely breathtaking! Standing there, it felt like we were on top of the world, surrounded by a mesmerizing sea of clouds. Remarkably, there was even a post office at this altitude! I even had the unique experience of using a restroom at an elevation exceeding 2305 meters – how incredible is that haha?

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Mt. Fuji 5th Station, 2023

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Around 15:20 p.m, it was time to say farewell to this magnificent location and begin our journey back to Tokyo, which took roughly two hours to reach Shinjuku. By this time, we were famished, so we decided to indulge in Okonomiyaki, a delicious Japanese dish.

Would I go on this tour again? Absolutely, yes! One of the great things about it is that you don't have to worry about planning every detail; you simply need to bring some food with you, at least until you reach Oshino Hakkai. There, you'll find food options and snacks available for purchase, but do keep in mind that it's a tourist hotspot, so the prices can be on the steep side. I'd suggest packing your own food and snacks for added convenience and savings. Additionally, I would highly recommend bringing a sweater or jacket to ensure you stay warm, unlike my chilly adventure! With that, wishing everyone a restful and peaceful night!. Goodnight!

Adventure is out there🌟