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Japan Trip
Day Three Mt. Fuji, Hakone Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Lake Ashi, Mt. Komagatake, Shibuya
Bumblebee lovers represent! So we went to Mt. Fuji. For some reason none of us went to the second level of the visitor station where there's an awesome view of the mountain. Maybe the guide didn't know? We all just bought souvenirs from the gift shop. The coolness, as I was about to discover, would be found at the 5th station. Last time I was here the road to the 5th station was closed due to snow so I had no idea what to expect, although I was anticipating some kind of scenic overlook, like one of the Kodak photospots, lol. It was much better.
The 5th station is a staging area for hikers to begin the 6-7 hour ascent of the mountain. There are stations all along the trail up the mountain where you can buy food, use the toilets, and get your walking stick branded. I had looked into climbing Mt. Fuji during our free day here but according to everything I read, hiking season ended in September, which meant none of the souvenir stands, food stalls, and stamping stations would be open at the summit. Climbing to the top without all the hoopla didn't sound so great since Mt. Fuji isn't a technical climb at all and the only reward is stamping your stick and watching the sunrise (if you do a 2am start). So I nixed the idea, only to discover the 5th station (and presumably the other stations) are alive and well in September. The Cranky Pants gang called the 5th Station a 'zoo', but that's what I loved about it. The excitement in the air was unmistakable. You can't beat the ambiance: the muted clanking as large groups of people adjusted their hiking packs...the smoke and sizzle of grilling meats and vegetables at the food stands...troop leaders with megaphones calling out instructions to their hikers...the jingling of the hundreds of bells tied to walking sticks. It reminded me of the moments before a marathon or a track meet. I absolutely loved it and was so jealous of those who were preparing to hike up.
The gate for the trail leading you up to the summit. How awesome is this?
Mt. Fuji behind me. I love that stick I'm holding, which is a miniature version of the walking stick that hikers take up the mountain and have branded at each station. Mine has bells on it. In my other hand I'm holding donuts.
Lauren with her corn. After a bunch of pictures of the mountain, we headed on down to go to Hakone.
An emergency road... for catfish?
Here's Lauren at Lake Ashi, where we would be boarding a boat which would take us to Mt. Komagatake.
I saw these pandas sitting there and I immediately sat on one. Who wouldn't, right? Then I discovered you could put money in them and Lauren pointed out the rubber tire barriers and you know what comes next...
Would have been better if one of the girls had fired up one of the other pandas so we could race each other.
On board the boat.
Dragon under the Sea hotel (or something like that). A stunning traditional complex overlooking the water.
Once off the boats we were taken to an air tram thingy. Lauren was petrified (big baby) but that didn't stop her from climbing in for the long ride up to the summit.
At the top, we stepped into Silent Hill. *Awesome* cloud cover up there.
If you wandered off the path, honestly, no one would find you.
Yes, Lauren, you survived despite all your whimpering, lol.
Finally, we were taken to a hotel and fed. It had been a looong time since we'd eaten, let me tell you. Afterwards, we drove through Hakone, and what a lovely mountain town. I would enjoy staying there I think. Maybe someday. That night, Lauren stayed in while Mara and I hit Shibuya.
We walked around, checked out the place, including the world's busiest intersection (where this photo was taken). And after finding an ATM and replenishing our funds, returned home. Next:
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