Fujikawaguchiko - Day 4-5

Yesterday we were traveling all day and faced the decision of what to do next. We knew that we wanted to start heading towards Kyoto, but there was still an opportunity to get closer to Fuji. It was about the town of Fujikawaguchiko. We hadn't originally planned for that. We thought we already knew the Alps 😊, but we had no idea what great beauty awaited us there.

However, yesterday it was a difficult decision. The journey to Fujikawaguchiko was not easy; even though it is only about 100 km from Hakone, where we had been before, the drive takes about 3 hours. Buses and trains alternate, and it goes over mountain passes overall. Only local transport goes there, stopping at every stop. Additionally, we even got on the wrong train! We were about to give up after waiting an hour for the next train. But then the train came, and we realized that we were heading exactly where we wanted to go. So we proceeded. We only arrived after nightfall and set out for dinner. It was cold, dark, and started to rain. Well, here we go, hopefully it stops by tomorrow. Is it even possible for it to stop so quickly?

We had dinner in the Japanese style, at a mini-restaurant run by two elderly Japanese people in their home. We sat on the floor at small tables, and we were given a small piece of paper to mark what we wanted to order. Everything was grilled and prepared on skewers. There was really everything you can imagine, or even things you can't even imagine.

Early in the morning, I got up to explore the area and perhaps see the sunrise. We stayed right by the shore of Lake Kawaguchi, and really!!! The sky had cleared, and in the distance, I saw Mount Fuji for the first time in all its glory. The sun had not yet risen, but the sky was already starting to turn pink.

Together with me, some photographers waited for the sunrise; it was an indescribable beauty. After breakfast, we set out to explore the surroundings. Near the town is the Chureito Pagoda. We made our way there, the path leads upwards, and we had to conquer 400 steps. We were offered a beautiful view of the entire area. The panorama with Fuji and the pagoda is one of the most photographed places in Japan. We stayed there for a long time, wandering around, overwhelmed by the beauty.