Mount Fuji, moss phlox and warm baths

Mount Fuji

When reading about Japan, we saw many accounts of people making the trip.out to see Mount Fuji, only to find it shrouded in thick cloud for the entire duration of their stay. Not wanting to have the same fate befall us, we decided to spend three nights in Kawaguchi, the local town.

Mount Fuji

We had no desire to climb the 3,776 foot high volcano, because, as well as being lazy, and it usually only open for climbing in July and August, we were of the firm belief that this was one of those occasions where looking at it is more impressive than looking from it.

But we were hoping to get a few nice cloud free views of the rather pretty Fuji-san.

Mount Fuji

Thankfully, we weren't disappointed. We did have one day when the peak was veiled in clouds the whole day, so we didn't bother with the planned trip up the ropeway, but the other two days were bright and sunny, offering unimpeded views - even from our bath!

Mount Fuji, from our onsen

You may or may not be aware of the custom of the Japanese Onsen. These are public baths that are used communally, though men and women use it separately. It is proper etiquette to take a shower in the changing area first, so that the water remains clean, and you take your bath naked. Now personally, I'm not one for stripping off in front of everyone, so hadn't partaken of this particular Japanese tradition.

I was quite pleased, therefore, when we found a hotel here that had a couple of small onsen, which could be booked out for private use. We managed to get a couple of sessions booked in and rather enjoyed sitting in our big warm bath, looking out over Mount Fuji.

Mount Fuji

But baths aside, we did take a walk around the lake for some different views and scenery, but our main viewing experience was taking a bus out to Motosuko for the Shiba-sakura Festival.

Mount Fuji

They plant out the festival area with thousands of Shiba-sakura, or moss phlox, to create huge carpets of mostly pink flowers, which makes a spectacular foreground for the snow covered Fuji-san. I don't think we were there at quite the peak of the season for it, but it was still incredibly impressive.

Cakes at Mount Fuji

It was a very hot day, and the view of Fuji was completely clear, so we were very happy. and as it was also my birthday, we treated ourselves to one of their rather pretty looking sakura cakes too.

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji

Drain Cover in Kawaguchi

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji