In Search of Mount Fuji

Oishi Park

Fishermen on the Water

Me eating Lavender Ice cream in front of a clouded Mount Fuji Today we are doing a day tour to see Mount Fuji from different vantage points… unfortunately it is much cooler, cloudy and drizzly today. But hope reigns eternal.

At this time of year Mt Fuji does not have its snow cap. The best time to see Mt Fuji in its full glory is February to April.

What it is supposed to look like at Oishi Park Our tour bus leaves at 8:30am and we are in stop and go traffic as we leave the Tokyo. I snooze.

Our first viewpoint of Mount Fuji is Oishi Park. It is still cloudy and cool. Mount Fuji is hiding. Our guide recommends the lavender ice cream from the cafe. It is delicious.

The gardens are very pretty. There are fishermen on the lake in front of where Mount Fuji would be appearing but for the weather.

Oishi Park on a cloudy day

Lawson’s Convenience Store

Kimberly and John in front of Lawson's Convenience Store
What Lawsons is supposed to look like
The next stop on the tour is a convenience store. Not just any convenience store but one with the gorgeous backdrop of Mount Fuji. Here is what it is supposed to look like and here is what we got. The guide keeps informing us that there really is a mountain behind the store. It is so cloudy, could viewing be any worse?

Oshino Hakkai Village

Oshino Hakkai Village on a rainy day It sure can! By the time we arrive at our next stop, Oshino Hakkai Village, it is pouring. This village is known for its clear spring water from Mount Fuji’s melting snow. Drinking this water is supposed to promote longevity. There are a lot of small places here with traditional Japanese food.

Arakurayama Sengen Park

Pagoda on a rainy day
What it's supposed to look like 1
John's view of the pagoda The rain does not let up. Arakurayama Sengen Park is our next stop. We walk for awhile before climbing many puddle laden steps to a shrine.

Our guide taught us how to make a wish.; first we bow at the tori gate. Then you put your money in the box, bow low twice, clap twice. Tell what you are grateful for and what you wish for, then bow once more.

From the shrine it is 397 steps up to a pagoda and viewing platform where on a non-rainy and non-cloudy day you have a great view of Mt Fuji. I skip the climb and decide to go back to the bus but John soldiers on only to confirm that the mountain is completely hidden by clouds.

On the way back to Tokyo, the cloud/fog is even thicker.

Evening in Tokyo

Kimberly eating at a Ramen Bar We find a cozy, authentic Japanese ramen restaurant for supper. We each order a sake… fortunately I ask the size and after we see the humongous portion, we change our order to one sake and call it a night.