So, I'm going to keep the theme of Mount Fuji going again this week because last weekend I got to go on an amazing trip to the Kawaguchiko area (near Mount Fuji) and surrounding areas for a very busy, but very fun day.
The day started out early and we were all at the bus by 9:00 am, the first stop was at Mount Kachi Kachi, a mountain on the opposite side of Lake Kawaguchiko, prime Fuji viewing territory. Upon our arrival, we got in line for the "ropeway", which was a cable car up Mount Kachi Kachi.
Ropeway ticket and exiting the cable car at the top, looking down on Lake Kawaguchiko.
As soon as we exited the cable car, we were greeted with a magnificent view of Mount Fuji. It was incredible seeing Fuji up close, it looks a LOT smaller from my window back at campus.
Hello there Fujisan! (The first image is probably the best photo I will ever take!)
Aside from the great view of Fuji, the peak of Mount Kachi Kachi had little things to do, including a small souvenir/snack shop, a photo service where you could get a free postcard or buy a photo of yourself in front of Fuji and a hiking trail, but let's be honest, when you have this kind of a view you really don't need to offer much else!
Me and my friend Fujisan taking a selfie and Mount Kachi Kachi's mascots.
For anyone who may not know much about Japan, Fujisan (often -san is added as an honorific, almost like saying Mr. Fuji, the mountain is also often referred to using male pronouns) is iconic in Japanese history, art, etc. So if you do come study abroad in Japan, not only will you find Fujisan merchandise literally everywhere, but depending how close you are to the area, you may even be lucky enough to have a view of him out your dormitory window like me! Anyways, back to the trip!
We hung out at the top of Mount Kachi Kachi for maybe an hour to an hour and a half until it got close to lunch time. Then it was back down the ropeway and off to a barbecue!
Mount Fuji looking out over Lake Kawaguchiko as we left.
Our next stop was a traditional barbecue place, we were put into groups and sat at large wooden table with a small fire burning in a sort of pan in front of us. A cast iron lid was placed over top and we all enjoyed cooking and eating our lunch together.
Quite possibly the single best meal I've had in Japan. It was fun and delicious!
The rest of the group finishing up their lunch.
The lunch included pork, noodles and a variety of vegetables such as onions, squash, cabbage, peppers, etc. I never did get the name of this place, but there are a lot of barbecue places like it in Japan, and I highly recommend you give it a try if you get the chance.
After lunch, everyone was energetic and excited again, so we got back on the bus and headed off to our next stop: Saito Iyashi no Sato Nenba (we all referred to it as Nenba for short). Nenba is a traditional Japanese village that has been restored as a tourist destination, it's old houses had been turned into small craft shops, historical displays and even a couple restaurants.
Fuji was always in the background, and in one of the buildings a man was demonstrating weaving.
A shrine behind one of the houses and another glimpse of Fuji.
It's no wonder why Japanese artists can paint entire series of Fujisan, it looks great in every picture! Unfortunately, most of my pictures from Nenba are on my camera and I can't get them posted here, but it was a great experience and the shops were all beautiful (though many of them did not allow photos to be taken inside).
Some handmade glass figures in one of the shops.
After Nenba, everyone got on the bus for our ride back to campus. It was such a long day with lots of events, but it was absolutely one of the most memorable trips I've been on here in Japan. I was astounded by the amount of activities that were planned (initially I thought it was just going to see Mount Fuji and getting lunch), I never expected to get the opportunity to go see Fuji, cook and eat an incredible lunch and get to see a traditional Japanese village. To put this in perspective, this trip cost me 1,000 yen (just under 10 USD). So as I've said before, take advantage of things like this while you're abroad, you may be surprised by a trip that far exceeds your expectations!
Well, I think that's all I have about Fujisan for now, since it's Thanksgiving back in the states, I'll be celebrating a very unorthodox Thanksgiving here by cooking a unique Thanksgiving dinner with a friend from Florida tonight. So next weeks post will be about that and how to make it feel a little more like the holidays while in your home country. Stay tuned!
Until then,
Julia.
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