Kawaguchiko
Lake Kawaguchi
Lake Kawaguchi (‰ÍŒûŒÎ , Kawaguchi-ko) is a lake near Mt. Fuji, Japan. Located in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, it is the most popular of the Fuji Five Lakes in terms of tourists, and is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kawaguchiko also serves as a major hub for those wishing to climb Mount Fuji during the climbing season (July & August). It is situated at an altitude of approx. 800 metres, which accounts for its relatively cool summers and frequently icy winters.
In search of Mt. Fuji
The train ride from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko is about 2 hours. It's abeatiful ride with changing landscapes.
I'm cheked in to my ryokan and wondering where is the bed and the bathroom.
Found the hot water and had myself a cup of tea.
Exploring Kawaguchko. I trimmed a tree once but it never came out this nice.
Lake Kawaguchiko. Recreational area for many people from Tokyo.
Kawaguchiko sightseeing boat "Ensoleille".
Mt. Tenjozan Cable Car.
View from Mt. Tenjozan towards Fujiko Highland amussement park.
Mt. Tenjozan Station with a view over Kawaguchiko Lake.
Black clouds rolling in.
The sun peeking out again. Have you noticed one thing. I haven't seen Mt. Fuji yet. Here I am at the foot of the highest mountain in Japan and there is no sight of it. ????
If you on a clear day can see Mt. Fuji from Tokyo why can't I see it when it should be right next to me????
Back to the ryokan and Nielsen-san puts on his yakata and gets ready for futon.
Futon is ready. The pillow was very hard and filled with dry rice but I had no problems sleeping. Only big problem is getting out (or should I say up) of bed.
Tatami (畳 originally meaning "folded and piled") mats are a traditional Japanese flooring. Made of woven straw, and traditionally packed with straw (though nowadays sometimes with styrofoam), tatami are made in individual mats of uniform size and shape, bordered by brocade or plain green cloth.
Finding Mt. Fuji
Mt. Fuji(
富士山) Fuji-san, is the highest mountain in Japan, 3,776 metres (12,388 feet). It straddles the boundary of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures just west of Tokyo. It is located near the Pacific coast of central Honshu. Three small cities surround it, they are: Gotemba (East), Fuji-Yoshida (North) and Fujinomiya (Southwest).
After getting UP from my futon I slid the translucent rice paper window aside and there it was. Mt. Fuji.
It's of to the sento to get cleaned up and get ready for Mt. Fuji.
You can look at Mt. Fuji while taking a bath.
You have to use a private railway that uses funny painted cars to get to Kawaguchiko.
My ryokan. Kawaguchiko Station Inn.
Kawaguchiko station where the bus to Mt. Fuji will depart.
That's where I'm going.
Arrived at Mt. Fuji Station 5 high above the clouds.
Station 5 is where the tree line ends and where climbers start their climb to the top.
The view, the clouds, the mountains, the cooler temperature. It was fantastic.
Top of the world.
Climbing guide to the Mt. Fuji summit.
Sign telling you that there is a 6.3 KM climb to the top.
Almost looks like Tibet.
Climping path between station 5 and 6.
View of Kawaguchiko.
Clouds approaching.
Walking in the clouds.
A cloud rolling over tree tops.
How to climb Mt. Fuji.
Climbing guide.
That way to the top. The outer layer of rocks are lava.
Almost no vegetation here.
Back at station 5.
Time to get beneath those clouds again.
Safely back in my room.
Mt. Fuji at sunset.
Kawaguchiko Station at night.
It's going to be good with a traditional Japanese barbacue and a Kirin beer.
First time I ever ate with chopsticks but the friendly staff was very helpfull.
The owner of the restaurant and a couple of Japanese invited me out on a night in town.
After several places and several 50% proof Shōchū (焼酎; lit. "distilled liquor") we ended up in a Karaoke bar. (karaoke カラオケ; lit. "empty orchestra".)
Hiroshima
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