Visit Japan 4 - Mt. Fuji area

Japanese landscapes taken from running bus.




Taking a bus from Niigata city to Tokyo was much more comfortable than taking a train which we had to stop somewhere to connect to another train to the city. Having a heavy luggage made it more difficult. Traveling by bus took us about 5 hours with scenic landscapes along the way and the fare is Yen 4,000 one way. I was awake most of the way enjoying the beautiful sights of green padi fields, valleys and mountains.
We arrived in Tokyo in the evening with Hiro waiting for us. It was really a hot day about 39 degrees C. I saw 2 guys collapsed and an ambulance rushed there within minutes. I met a few American youngsters distributing Christian CDs, books and pamphlets. I had a short conversation with a 14 year old high school girl from Taxes who did this missionary work voluntarily. I declined the offer for the CDs and pamphlets explaining that I am a Muslim and will always be.

Hiro has decided to take me to see holiday retreats around Mt. Fuji. I believe if I ever come with a tour group we might not have the opportunity to come to these places. I was happy and grateful for Hiro and family for this experience. I noticed the landscape along the way was very attractive, decorated with mountains and valleys but unfortunately I wasn't able to take passing photographs because of the high walls along the highway blocked our views. I guess this is for safety reason, discouraging motorists from being distracted. We passed pretty traditional Japanese villages too.

The first stop was at Lake Kawaguchi, a mountain lake, around which there are a number of holiday resorts and hotels. The scenery, like many other lakeside views, is very calming and pleasant.










A booking was made for Yen 6,000 per person in a bed and breakfast facility near Lake Kawaguchi, Ankigahara ( hope I spell it right!) , called Sumeiso. It was a delightful experience for me.











An enchanting experience for me to stay in a typical Japanese bedroom with kimono style pajamas, Japanese spa, ate delicious Japanese dinner and breakfast. It was exciting and I love every moment spent there. Japanese hospitality and politeness are very charming and we took photos with the owner the next day.



















Sashi, son Hiro and daughter-in-law Chunja at dinner table at Sumeiso.












Dinner - Miso soup, tempura, rice, fried salmon, fresh fish, pickled and an assortment of veges. a huge peach as dessert.







We drove to Lake Shoujin where a lot of people fishing and later at Lake Motosuko. Of course the scenery around these lakes are bewitching and calming.

We moved on to Narusawa Ice Cave. I was curious. According to the information board the temperature in the cave is constantly 0 degree and ice slabs would not melt. By the time I was out of the cave, my fingers felt numbed.












I had the opportunity to see blueberry plants found planted in large numbers in huge pots at the car park. That delighted me as I love blueberry for my eyes.















Hiro attempted to take me to Fujigogome, the nearest lookout point to view Mt Fuji. But it was Sunday and the traffic was 6 miles long. We abandoned the effort and I went to the next lookout but the cloud was so thick, it hid the view of Mt. Fuji - not a good day to visit Mt. Fuji. Maybe Mt Fuji will beckon me again some day!




Suffice taking photo at a big bilboard of Mt. Fuji.








The drive back to Chiba was smooth though a lot of cars on the highway.
We stopped at Hakone and later proceed to Awaku-tani valley or popularly known as Hell Valley.






The cable car at Hell valley.




I wasn't prepared for the long walk to the underground geysers up the hills. My old comfortable walking shoes have begun to give way. The pungent smell of sulfur is quite strong and streams of tourist converged to the place. Eggs dipped for 30 minutes in the hot bellowing spring, boiled hard and turned black but it tasted the same anyway.












With Sashi.















Awaku-tani's attraction - bellowing underground geysers.








The highway was packed with cars returning to Tokyo but the drive was smooth with nobody cutting in and out indiscriminately. We arrived in Chiba at Hiro's apartment tired and happy. Thank you Hiro, Chunja and Sashi for the incredible sight-seeing you took me to.