8 September 2024
No visit to Japan would be complete without getting a view of its most famous mountain, Mount Fuji (at 3776 meters it is also the country’s highest). With its perfect triangular form and snow-capped apex (during five months of the year), the still-active volcano is commonly used as the symbol of Japan. It is also frequently depicted in art and photography, as well as being visited by worshippers, sightseers, hikers and mountain climbers alike.
The easiest way to view Mount Fuji is from a right-hand side window on a shinkansen train travelling between Tokyo and Osaka. However, because clouds and poor visibility often block the view, we were told that you can consider yourself lucky to get a clear view of the mountain. We decided not take the risk and so we booked what would turn out to the only bus tour of our whole stay in Japan.
We joined up with the group in front of the massive Tokyo Rail Station and our somewhat offbeat and disillusioned travel guide proceeded to keep us all entertained during the two hour bus ride to our destination. Demonstrating little of the customary Japanese reserve, he gave us a rather graphic account of his life-story and especially of his tribulations with his two former girlfriends. He also informed us of why he didn’t work in an office anymore (he was tired of having to bow a hundred times a day).
The bus offloaded us at Arakurayama village and from there we walked up the 398 stone steps to the observatory in Sengen Park. It is apparently from there that the best views of the mountain can be had and where most of the photos on Google originate from. We were blessed with a clear day and the views of Mt. Fuji slowly revealed themselves during the ascent. The climb was steep but we were rewarded with some absolutely breathtaking from the top with the famous pagoda.
The next stop was at a short distance away, at Oishi Park, on Lake Kawaguchi. There you can admire the gardens from the lakeside path, visit the stationery souvenir shop or enjoy a delicious ice cream (or do all of that).
We then boarded the bus once again for the return trip to Tokyo. All in all, it had been a good day out and we do recommend taking the time to get closer to this cultural icon which still exerts such a powerful presence in this country.
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