Mt Fuji
The beauty of Mt Fuji!
This morning - I woke up feeling rather fatigued mainly because while the giant sleeps, I've been up either blogging or dealing with the days photographic memories. As you can see above, we were truly in for a special treat. We had looked into and planned our trip to Mt Fuji today and had decided that the method of transport would be train. This decision was influenced by me because of my distaste and impatience to travelling by bus. I really just hate it and passionately avoids it as much as I can.
The day started with breakfast at Café Veloce just around the corner from our hotel. After the previous days terrible coffee at McDonalds, neither of us were keen for a repeat event so chose a little more wisely for our breakfast destination. Steve and I had also planned to look for an ATM in the local area as we were both running low on cash. Japan surprisingly a country that prefers CASH transactions to those of credit/EFTPOS cards what we didn't realise was how tedious our search for this luxury readily available in Melbourne would be. What we learned very quickly was that Japan for some reason rather detests MASTERCARD. Who would have thought? Seriously, WHY? On our previous travels we'd never had problems with such things, but also carried both types of cards VISA and MASTERCARD between us but thought because of the lack of problems previously we just settled this time on MASTERCARD. To us and to what we were used to was really much of a muchness. After searching around our hotel neighbourhood for an ATM which would accept our blasted cards, we gave up after no success and got on the train and headed to Tokyo Central. Surely, there would we would find what we needed. After a ridiculous and pointless search through the streets and attempts to withdraw money in ATMS that clearly were not happy with our choice of card, we headed back to Tokyo Central. For some reason, I thought to head into a Travel Agency of sorts within the station to find out what was the deal. Frankly, we were wasting valuable time on this search but needed cash and I was stubborn enough to decide that I was not leaving for Mt Fuji until we had some! After chatting to a young lady in this office - we eventually found a bank that would accept our cards and fulfilled our requirements and finally headed in the direction of Mt Fuji by train.
Our journey took much longer than we ever anticipated, but successfully made it there after multiple train changes and struggles for communication. Although Japanese Rail are very accommodating with their FAIR ADJUSTMENT machines we just never seem to get the fair correct or the right type of ticket purchase. Steve and I are pretty independent when we travel and love to use ticket machines unless there are explicit lines/train types where you must go to an office to purchase a ticket. More on this later, because on our return trip we managed to continue with the trend of incorrect fair purchase. By the time we arrived at Mt Fuji station we had taken three different trains, but I will comment that the Japanese countryside between Tokyo and Mt Fuji is simply breathtaking and special. I've never seen anything like it. Its one of those things I've only seen on postcards and really blindly believe that is how it looks and that is has not been photo shopped for tourist purposes, but then you get there and its more like GOBSMACKINGLY beautiful.
Steve and I kind of arrived at Mt Fuji station and thought "What Now?" because it just took us so long to get there. After the ATM search and a number of train changes trying to get there, we were rather limited in visiting time. We had intended on getting the bus from Mt Fuji station to the 5th Station on the mountain, but we figured we could take picture of the mountain if we were ON the mountain. I wanted to take pictures just like the ones Id seen on postcards. At the Mt Fuji station we followed vague directions to the tourist information centre. I've noticed that these centres while encouraging tourists to visit really do not cater for the English speaking folk, particularly in Japan but hey we're in their country so Steve and I have found a way to manage. Between Steve's patience to observe his surroundings and my need to just ASK how to get there or what not we really make a great team even with the obvious language barriers.
After a while of sifting through pamphlets, we decided to take the train to Shimoyoshida about 6 mins by train from the Mt Fuji station. From the station, Steve and I weaved our way through quaint streets in this small but adorable township using the small map we had obtained from the tourist office back at Mt Fuji station to find our way to the Chureito Pagoda a symbolic 5 story pagoda, standing in the Arakura Sengen Park, about half way up Mt Arakura in Fujiyoshida.. We stopped on the way up to the pagoda to inspect the shrine on the way up the slope. Really, words cannot express how utterly magnificent this view is. Mt Fuji however can be elusive the peak hiding behind a fairly constant layer of cloud. We had breaks of clouds during the day, but it never seemed long enough to truly capture the peak at its most radiant. Still, we made it there somehow without getting lost and that was the main thing no matter how much effort it was. Back at Mt Fuji station, I had asked the station attendant when we purchased our tickets for Shimoyoshida when we should return by train to catch the express train back from the Mt Fuji station - at this point Steve and I realised what time it was and made our way down from the pagoda and back into town post haste even running at the last minute to catch the train. We manage to miss it by about 30 secs and mainly because the station had boom gates blocking potential passengers from crossing the tracks in an old fashioned style station where we had to cross the tracks to get to a platform.
Just a little bit annoyed we questioned the station attendant on when the next train to Otsuki would be and patiently waited at the station for the next connection. After about 45 mins, we made our way across the tracks to get onto the platform required to catch our train. Steve has been reading the Lonely Planet book I purchased before we left for details and places we should visit and was doing just that in the waiting room on the platform. You got to hand to the Japanese, particularly in the remoter country areas they find tourists fascinating. While Steve was reading a young boy approached him and without hesitation lent over Steve to see what he was reading. We struck up a small conversation, but his English was quite limited.
Because we missed the connecting train to the express train from Mt Fuji Station to Otsuki, Steve and I found ourselves on the local stopping all station connection. In some way, I in particular was keen to get back as quickly as possible, but the slow train really gave us an opportunity to absorb the Japanese countryside. What I did notice, was that the locals grow a lot of their own rice. The land was full of flooded rice fields and small but busy vegetable patches planted by locals. Now this was the life I imagine, living off the land - this however requires constant passion and diligence in looking after their wares. The other thing I noticed while on the train and walking around Shimoyoshida was that there seemed to be an extensive network of man made channels - almost a system of directed aqua ducts to steer the water coming down from the mountains to flood their rice fields and keep their vegetable crops irrigated. It was just wonderful. Truly. A simple life away from the madness that comes with living in a big city... sounds like my kind of life. Appreciating the simple things in life. I think as a modern society we have forgotten to see what is valuable and right in front of us. I realise the irony as I write this blog and have used technology to assist me with the language barrier we have faced here, but I somehow believe that technology has taken away our social skills...we've forgotten how to interact with people and become less tolerant.
At Otsuki, Steve and I purchased yet another ticket to get us to Shinjuku in Tokyo but in true style boarded the wrong type of train. It was the right train by our books, as it was going to Tokyo but faster than our trip in the other direction so it was the wrong train according to our ticket purchase. We do try and we have stubbornly tried the whole way through to get it right, but have faced a correction by the conductor (as it was in this case) and a large amount of confusion in communication. *sigh*.
We did make it back to Shinjuku and Steve wanted to have one last walk through one of the busier parts of Tokyo and I humbly followed even though in my mind I was so ready to head back to the hotel to sleep. Saturday night at Shinjuku was just mad... bit like Melbourne but worse. I clung to Steve for dear life in fear of being separated and never seeing him again.. After a while, the usual search for food began and it seemed like we circled for ages and finally made a decision on a small bar somewhere in the middle of the swarms of people and narrow alleyways. To be honest, somehow we've struck it rich when it comes to food by pure and sheer luck. This instance was no different. Steve and I ordered some delicious food here. I was looking for something simpler to eat this time - fried rice and perhaps something else. While I love sushi the other night in Ueno, the chewy tuna had somewhat switched off my craving for any fish products. For those of you who know I suffered a terrible case of food illness from some fish in London years back and seemed to have never recovered from my aversion to fish in particular strong smelling fish. Id forgotten how much I loved Gyoza and promptly ordered it along a fried rice dish, while Steve chose to order a soup with udon noodles and stewed pork. We also ordered some Cassis and soda as well as a Japanese spirit called Honkaku Mugi Shochu (which reminded me very strongly of Italian Grappa). All in all, a simply delicious dinner! Thoroughly happy and full of yummy food we paid the bill and headed back to our hotel by Metro. Our last night in Tokyo - ended perfectly.
Sayonara Tokyo & Konichiwa Kyoto....
Steve and I kind of arrived at Mt Fuji station and thought "What Now?" because it just took us so long to get there. After the ATM search and a number of train changes trying to get there, we were rather limited in visiting time. We had intended on getting the bus from Mt Fuji station to the 5th Station on the mountain, but we figured we could take picture of the mountain if we were ON the mountain. I wanted to take pictures just like the ones Id seen on postcards. At the Mt Fuji station we followed vague directions to the tourist information centre. I've noticed that these centres while encouraging tourists to visit really do not cater for the English speaking folk, particularly in Japan but hey we're in their country so Steve and I have found a way to manage. Between Steve's patience to observe his surroundings and my need to just ASK how to get there or what not we really make a great team even with the obvious language barriers.
After a while of sifting through pamphlets, we decided to take the train to Shimoyoshida about 6 mins by train from the Mt Fuji station. From the station, Steve and I weaved our way through quaint streets in this small but adorable township using the small map we had obtained from the tourist office back at Mt Fuji station to find our way to the Chureito Pagoda a symbolic 5 story pagoda, standing in the Arakura Sengen Park, about half way up Mt Arakura in Fujiyoshida.. We stopped on the way up to the pagoda to inspect the shrine on the way up the slope. Really, words cannot express how utterly magnificent this view is. Mt Fuji however can be elusive the peak hiding behind a fairly constant layer of cloud. We had breaks of clouds during the day, but it never seemed long enough to truly capture the peak at its most radiant. Still, we made it there somehow without getting lost and that was the main thing no matter how much effort it was. Back at Mt Fuji station, I had asked the station attendant when we purchased our tickets for Shimoyoshida when we should return by train to catch the express train back from the Mt Fuji station - at this point Steve and I realised what time it was and made our way down from the pagoda and back into town post haste even running at the last minute to catch the train. We manage to miss it by about 30 secs and mainly because the station had boom gates blocking potential passengers from crossing the tracks in an old fashioned style station where we had to cross the tracks to get to a platform.
Just a little bit annoyed we questioned the station attendant on when the next train to Otsuki would be and patiently waited at the station for the next connection. After about 45 mins, we made our way across the tracks to get onto the platform required to catch our train. Steve has been reading the Lonely Planet book I purchased before we left for details and places we should visit and was doing just that in the waiting room on the platform. You got to hand to the Japanese, particularly in the remoter country areas they find tourists fascinating. While Steve was reading a young boy approached him and without hesitation lent over Steve to see what he was reading. We struck up a small conversation, but his English was quite limited.
Because we missed the connecting train to the express train from Mt Fuji Station to Otsuki, Steve and I found ourselves on the local stopping all station connection. In some way, I in particular was keen to get back as quickly as possible, but the slow train really gave us an opportunity to absorb the Japanese countryside. What I did notice, was that the locals grow a lot of their own rice. The land was full of flooded rice fields and small but busy vegetable patches planted by locals. Now this was the life I imagine, living off the land - this however requires constant passion and diligence in looking after their wares. The other thing I noticed while on the train and walking around Shimoyoshida was that there seemed to be an extensive network of man made channels - almost a system of directed aqua ducts to steer the water coming down from the mountains to flood their rice fields and keep their vegetable crops irrigated. It was just wonderful. Truly. A simple life away from the madness that comes with living in a big city... sounds like my kind of life. Appreciating the simple things in life. I think as a modern society we have forgotten to see what is valuable and right in front of us. I realise the irony as I write this blog and have used technology to assist me with the language barrier we have faced here, but I somehow believe that technology has taken away our social skills...we've forgotten how to interact with people and become less tolerant.
At Otsuki, Steve and I purchased yet another ticket to get us to Shinjuku in Tokyo but in true style boarded the wrong type of train. It was the right train by our books, as it was going to Tokyo but faster than our trip in the other direction so it was the wrong train according to our ticket purchase. We do try and we have stubbornly tried the whole way through to get it right, but have faced a correction by the conductor (as it was in this case) and a large amount of confusion in communication. *sigh*.
We did make it back to Shinjuku and Steve wanted to have one last walk through one of the busier parts of Tokyo and I humbly followed even though in my mind I was so ready to head back to the hotel to sleep. Saturday night at Shinjuku was just mad... bit like Melbourne but worse. I clung to Steve for dear life in fear of being separated and never seeing him again.. After a while, the usual search for food began and it seemed like we circled for ages and finally made a decision on a small bar somewhere in the middle of the swarms of people and narrow alleyways. To be honest, somehow we've struck it rich when it comes to food by pure and sheer luck. This instance was no different. Steve and I ordered some delicious food here. I was looking for something simpler to eat this time - fried rice and perhaps something else. While I love sushi the other night in Ueno, the chewy tuna had somewhat switched off my craving for any fish products. For those of you who know I suffered a terrible case of food illness from some fish in London years back and seemed to have never recovered from my aversion to fish in particular strong smelling fish. Id forgotten how much I loved Gyoza and promptly ordered it along a fried rice dish, while Steve chose to order a soup with udon noodles and stewed pork. We also ordered some Cassis and soda as well as a Japanese spirit called Honkaku Mugi Shochu (which reminded me very strongly of Italian Grappa). All in all, a simply delicious dinner! Thoroughly happy and full of yummy food we paid the bill and headed back to our hotel by Metro. Our last night in Tokyo - ended perfectly.
Sayonara Tokyo & Konichiwa Kyoto....
