Rain!
All day!
We count ourselves fortunate that although it rained all day Wednesday and all day Friday, Thursday was bright, sunny and cloudless for us to view Fujisan and walk around one of the five lakes. Our hotel was above Lake Yamanaka, so the Fugi view was very different
All day!
We count ourselves fortunate that although it rained all day Wednesday and all day Friday, Thursday was bright, sunny and cloudless for us to view Fujisan and walk around one of the five lakes. Our hotel was above Lake Yamanaka, so the Fugi view was very different
We took the toll road (2,400 ¥ around £15!) up the mountain. We hadn't realised it was a toll road until too late. It was a bit of a disappointment, to say the least. The further up we climbed the less we could see of Fuji, although we had some spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. We passed an enormous queue of coaches (around 40) all trying to drive up to the 4th station, when the car park could only take about five coaches. I dread to think how long the people (mainly Chinese) in the coaches had to wait for their view! the 5th station used in the summer months from which to attempt a climb to the summit was obviously closed. Thank goodness Tom wasn't with us or he would have had us hiking up!!!
We quickly decided that being pushed around at the viewing station wasn't for us and headed down to Lake Kawaguchiko, found a good parking place, collected our bento and set off to see what we could see.
The view fo Fuji from the lakeside....
This is for Tim F. We found a small amount of blossom to frame the shot -taken with my Ipad.
There are a number of sculptures around the lake one of the most fascinating being 'Source', by Seibo Kitamura, thought to be to be Japan's greatest sculptor. He visited the lake at the age of 101 and was deeply moved by the magnificence of the mountain scenery and the mysterious quality of the lake. He then spent the next couple of years creating the work to give form to his feelings of wonder.
Spectacular photos. I hate queues of any sort so I would not have been happy if I had been in one of those coaches!! Happy Easter Diane
ReplyDeleteMe neither, Diane. Happy Easter to you too.
DeleteI should think they were fairly fed up as from the coaches there wasn't any kind of view of anything! the only thing the drivers could do was wait their turn as the viewing point was the only place possible for a coach to turn round. We were lucky and as we were in a car were waved past the coaches!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised at the length of those coach queues as usually the Japanese are the model of efficient planning. Perhaps because they were filled with Chinese tourists - a political statement! Lovely views of Mount Fuji - you were very lucky to get that break in the weather.
ReplyDeleteWe felt very fortunate. Besides my son it was the one thing in Japan that I really wouldn't have wanted to miss.
DeleteWhenever there is poor air over Japan they always say that it is coming from China. Likewise with any debris on the beaches on the western side!
You made the right choice to avoid the crowds and go to the lake. The photos of Mt Fuji from there are amazing x
ReplyDeleteI love mountains and it was simply the best day to be there. Something I will remember.
DeleteFabulous scenery and your post reminds me of the last time I went on a sight seeing trip by coach - I vowed never again!
ReplyDeleteWise move to go by car.