#five fuji lakes

[japan-minka]

Weekend Escape

It has been years since we have visited the five lakes around Fuji-san. With rain forecast all weekend and yellow sand creating a haze, we were amazed everything cleared for a few minutes, and there was Fuji-san in all its glory.

[fruitcage]

Lake Kawaguchi, Takashi Miyazaki

[betwixtyiff]

Every so often I go a little crazy and half plan out an entire trip to Japan, itinerary and all before I remember I exist in the real world and have financial limitations

[meowtifullycute]

Majestic Mount Fuji: Japan's Iconic Peak!

[ultralowoxygen]

Untitled by sleep dream

[doumadono]

JAPAN TRIP - DAYS 26-28

Mount Fuji (富士山) standing as Japan's tallest peak, boasts the impressive distinction of being an active volcano. Its majestic presence straddles the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, commanding attention from afar. On clear days, the silhouette of Mount Fuji graces the horizons of Tokyo and Yokohama, offering a breathtaking sight. However, the elusive nature of Mount Fuji's visibility adds an element of serendipity to the experience. Often, clouds and poor visibility obscure its grandeur, making it a stroke of luck to catch a clear glimpse of the mountain. Interestingly, visibility tends to be better in the colder seasons, compared to the summer months.

We were fortunate enough to embark on a memorable journey to the Fuji Five Lake (Fujigoko) region, nestled at the northern base of the mountain. The picturesque landscapes and tranquil lakes surrounding Mount Fuji provided an awe-inspiring backdrop to our adventures. Additionally, we had the privilege of visiting Hakone, a renowned hot spring resort located in close proximity to the mountain. The beauty and grandeur of Mount Fuji and its surrounding areas left an indelible impression, reminding us of the extraordinary natural wonders that Japan has to offer 💖

[skyfallscotland]

🎵 🍐 🫐

🎵 favorite artists

Fall Out Boy & Taylor Swift, hands down.

🍐 if you could make one character real, who would it be

Xaden Riorson, obviously! I can fix him! 🥰😂

🫐 some place you’d love to visit

I'd really like to go back to Japan and spend some time around the Fuji five lakes area, maybe visit Kyoto.

[womblegrinch]

Tsuchiya Koitsu (1870-1949) - Lake Motosu (Motosu-ko)

Woodblock print. Created in 1934, post-war printing.

10.25 x 15.5 inches, 26.1 x 39.2 cm. Estimate: £1,000-1,500.

Sold Sotheby's, London, 10 May 2023 for £3,810 incl B.P.

Lake Motosu is located in southern Yamanashi Prefecture, the third-largest of the Fuji Five Lakes.

[cryptidjapan]

In 1988, a turtle about the size of a half tatami mat (about 90 square centimeters) was spotted at Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture.

In Japan, when a lake cryptid is sighted, it is often named after Nessie, but the Lake Kawaguchi monster has not been named.

Lake Kawaguchi is included in one of the Fuji Five Lakes, and cryptids have been reported in all of the Fuji Five Lakes.

[ultimateaclrecovery]

Japan day 7 (11/16)

More Hakone and then Tokyo!

Started by trying to watch the sunrise from the onsen. We mostly missed the actual sunrise but it was still really pretty

We then got breakfast in the room which was this cute little bento box.

We then went back up the ropeway and it was so clear and we got a great view of mt Fuji! One of the legs up we even got a car to ourselves which was cool and the views were great.

We then tried to get a picture with the water Tori gate, but the line was crazy long and so slow moving so we took a quick pic from the side and moved on. But I still got a cute pic by an adorable bridge! Sadly my eyes were closed so you get the slightly blurry Live Photo from when they were open 🤷‍♀️

When we finally made it Tokyo station I got dipping ramen and it was the best ramen I ever had and it was like 7 dollars which is crazy.

I also found this adorable penguin in a Christmas tree which I managed to not buy the first time but then went back later to get it 😂

We then wandered around took in the city views and the lake in park. We got drinks at this adorable owl themed brewery my bf likes and then got dinner and then magi carp custard for dessert

Overly long travel diary

Day 7

In the morning we try to catch the sunrise in the onsen. Official sunrise time is 6:18 and we get down there like 6:05 but it’s already pretty light and not very many fun colors. It’s still pretty tho. A little while later the sky gets some nice pink to it.

After we get all our onsen time in we head back up to the room. We still have like an hour before breakfast and finally get some quality time. I am annoyed by how much better this makes me feel, but here we are.

Breakfast is also a lot of fish and I’m over having food I don’t like.

Sunrise onsen.

Breakfast in cute little bento box.

Rooeway which is extra great because clear day and can see my Fuji.

After breakfast we head back to the rooeway. It’s like 9am so it’s pretty empty here and we get a car all to our selves on the way up which is really fun. It’s a clear day today so we can see my Fuji from the rooeway car which is fun too see. It really sticks out above the rest of the landscape. All of the other mountains are full of trees and green on top and then there’s Fuji looming in the background with its giant snow covered peak.

We also get a great view of the sulphuric vents.

When we get to the bottom we go to hike around the lake to a water Tori gate. Some of our way there is on a lovely path through the woods where you can see the lake. And some of it is along the road where you try not to get hit by cars

Try and take pic with the Tori water gate but the line is too long and moves too slowly. Everybody has waited for a while so they want their full photo shoot and it takes like five minutes per group. We don’t want to wait for a picture for like 45 minutes So instead we just take pictures and a selfie from the side and it’s fine.

As we walk back we do cross a really cute bridge and my bf offers (actually offers! ) to take a pic of me on the bridge. I had been wanting a cute bridge pic so I love it.

And then we take a bus and two trains to Tokyo.

We stop at Tokyo station to get ramen. We have to wait in a line for about 15 minutes. Then we quickly order at the vending machine and are seated. The music playing is very fast paced and it feels like everything is rushed. But it is very efficient. We get dipping ramen Where the noodles are in a separate bowl and are cold, and then you dip into the bowl filled with hot broth. It’s so delicious. Sometimes I don’t get the timing of the dip amount right and the noodles end up too hot or too cold but mostly it’s perfect. Anthony paid on his suica card. Mine was 1040 yen. Which is so crazy cheap for the best ramen I’ve ever had.

After we walk through the Tokyo station character street. It’s filled with adorable shops. I find the most precious penguin stuffed animal that’s wearing a Christmas tree and I nearly die of cuteness. (I don’t get it because I do not need a 30 dollar stuffed animal that will just sit in the pile in my room)

There’s also a bear themed store where I find a bear cutout that can be used to make bear shaped pancakes or omelette a. And at 1300 yen I have to have it.

Hotel

Walk around streets

Laundry

Izakaya for dinner

We head to the hotel to check in and then walk around the streets. I think walking around the streets of Tokyo is one of my favorite parts of the trip. They are all lined with so many little stores and there are just people everywhere bustling about. The streets are all really clean and everyone is really polite. Like the queues for things are always so well organized even when they aren’t marked it’s remarkable.

We do laundry at our hotel and then head out to izakaya, which is a Japanese things where you get drinks and grilled items, small plates style usually for sharing. They typically require at least one drink and food item per person. It’s so weird to me that there are places in Japan that will require you to order a drink. It doesn’t have to be alcoholic but as someone who rarely orders drinks and almost never non alcohol with meals it’s a bit odd to me. It’s usually places that are really busy.

The place we go to seems rather American food themed but all of the other people in there are Japanese and not tourists. Our waiter tho has excellent English. I get a mango beer and Anthony gets about her highball, his favorite Japanese thing. And we get garlic bread and a meat sample plate. There’s way too much food and we struggle to make it through most of it. Anthony keeps pushing for us to eat more because he’s convinced it looks bad or something to not eat most of it or is wasteful. I’ve clearly been spending too much time on the intuitive eating side of Instagram so I’m just like my body is not a trash can. Also if I’m too full for it to taste good why bother eating it? We eventually give up on it and head back to the hotel.

[wormwoodwine]

Humidity—a silent assassin

Just a little tangent if you want to travel to a tropical climate.

I’ve heard people say like, “Oh, I’m used to the heat. Oh, I live in the desert.” But are you used to the humidity?

It’s very misleading if you only see the temperature on weather report. Humidity turns hot into boiling and cold in to biting freeze.

Let’s take heat. When you’re hot, you sweat to cool down. But the high humidity in the air prevents your sweat from evaporating as effectively. Thus, you’ll be literally boiled in your own fluid. The heat isn’t just hot, it’s stifling and it won’t be recorded in any weather report.

And the cold has what scientifically calls the wicking effect. It’s when the high humidity in the air causes clothing’s insulation to become less effective. Because the moisture get caught in the clothing fibers.

I was on a trip to Japan and Las Vegas years ago in the winter. And while Las Vegas was technically colder, the freezing weather around Mount Fuji Five Lakes was much more unbearable.

And god forbid you visit Hanoi during Nồm season which is right about now with about 90% humidity. You know it’s humid when the walls start to sweat. Yes, sweat from the water droplets in the air. It’s so humid that Vietnamese have invented a whole new word and season to denote the suffering.

[japan-tourists-spots]

Best Time to Visit in Japan to See the Seasonal Attractions

Japan is a stunning place to visit all year round; the seasonal attractions are most enjoyable during particular periods of the year. The ideal times to visit Japan to experience each season are broken out here:

Enjoy the reading:

Spring (March-May)

Japan is a popular travel destination in the spring when cherry blossoms abound. The duration of the cherry blossom season varies based on the locale, although it usually lasts for two weeks. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are a few of the greatest locations in Japan to view cherry blossoms.

Other seasonal attractions that you might take advantage of are:

Shibazakura, also known as moss phlox, are pink and white flowers that bloom in patterns resembling carpets. Japan's top locations to view Shibazakura are Hitachi Seaside Park and Fuji Five Lakes.

Nezumisha, also known as rattail grass, is a kind of grass that, in the spring, takes on a silvery white hue. Japan's top locations for nezumiha viewing are Enoshima Island and Mihama Beach.

Summer (June-August)

In Japan, summer is a hot and muggy season, but it's also a time for lots of festivals and festivities. In Japan, the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and the Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo are two of the most well-known summer festivities.

Summertime in Japan is a great time to visit for various outdoor activities, including swimming, bicycling, and hiking, in addition to festivals. The Okinawa beaches and the Japanese Alps are two of the top locations in Japan for summertime outdoor sports.

Autumn (September-November)

Fall is another well-liked season to go to Japan because of the changing foliage, which turns the nation's landscape into a vibrant mosaic of red, orange, and yellow. The duration of the fall foliage season varies based on the location, although it usually lasts for two months. The Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto and Nikko National Park are two of the greatest locations in Japan to view fall foliage.

You may take advantage of additional seasonal attractions like:

Fall festivals, or matsuri, are celebrated across Japan. Two notable ones are the Jidai Matsuri and the Takayama Matsuri.

Hot springs, or onsen, In Japan, onsen is a well-liked means of rest and renewal. The chilly autumn months are the best time to visit. Hakone and Kusatsu boast some of Japan's top onsen.

Winter (December-February)

In Japan, winter is a chilly and snowy season, but it's also a time for many winter sports and pastimes. In Japan, snowboarding and skiing are two of the most popular winter activities. Hakuba Valley and Niseko are two of the greatest locations in Japan for winter sports enthusiasts.

You can enjoy other seasonal attractions, such as:

Illuminations: Throughout the winter, a lot of Japanese towns and cities have lighting festivals. The Osaka Hikari Renaissance and the Caretta Shiodome lighting in Tokyo are two of the most well-liked lighting events in Japan.

Snow festivals: During the winter, Japan has several snow festivals, such as the Yokote Kamakura Festival and the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Conclusion

In the end, we can say that the country has a lot to offer everyone, from its dynamic cities and welcoming populace to its breathtaking terrain and rich cultural heritage. Looking for the best Japan tourists spots? You can connect with us here, and you will get the best guide.

[pix4japan]

Sleepy Border Collie at the Okumiya of Yamanaka Suwa Shrine (山中諏訪神社の奥宮)

The tiny shrine is located at the summit of Mt. Myojin in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, which offers grand views of Lake Yamanaka (one of the Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji), and views of Mt. Fuji (on a clear day) with a foreground of waving fields of susuki pampas grass.

Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter ISO 2500 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/16 Provia/Standard film simulation

[wilsweb-asientour]

Tag 24. 27.07.2023

Fuji-Vorbereitung. Heute standen wir früh auf, um den 07:57 Uhr Zug von Tokyo nach Mishima zu schaffen. Wir fuhren mit dem sogenannten Shinkansen Zug, der 320km/h schnell fährt und weltweit als “Bullet Train” bekannt ist. In Mishima stiegen wir in einen Regionalzug um und erreichten gegen 10:00 Uhr Gotemba, eine niedliche Stadt im Vorland des Fuji Berges (3.776M hoch, Japans höchster Gipfel). Im Hotel angekommen stellten wir unser Gepäck ab, packten für einen Tagesausflug an eines der fünf Seen rund um Fuji und liefen zur Bäckerei.

Die Bäckerei war gigantisch, wir aßen zum ersten Mal in Asien richtige Croissants, Baguettes und Brot. Im Anschluss ging’s zur Touristeninfo, wo wir einige Fragen i.B.a. den Fuji-Riesen hatten. Ganz zufällig fragte Wilson, ob eines der Hütten noch zwei Plätze für den 28.07 auf den 29.07 frei hätte, denn eine Eintageswanderung von unten nach oben, v.a. mit möglichem Aufkommen von Höhenkrankheit, wäre grenzwertig gefährlich. Der Mann an der Info rief netterweise in verschiedenen Hütten an. Die (meisten) Hütten nehmen nämlich nur per Telefon und auf japanisch Reservierungen an, zudem kommt der von der Pandemie verursachte Rückstand japanischer Touristen, die den Riesen besteigen wollen. Zu unserer Überraschung waren 2 Betten auf der 5. Hütte frei, es änderten sich also unsere Pläne - keine Seentour.

Wir fuhren direkt zur Outlet-Mall, wo wir zwei paar Wanderschuhe kauften (Turnschuhe sind natürlich ungeeignet, zudem brauchte Webster neue Wanderschuhe und Wilsons Schuhe hat derzeit Wenzel) und einen neuen Wanderrucksack (Webster braucht auch einen neuen, seiner hat schon etliches durch und wird bald in Rente gehen). Wir kauften auch zwei billige Kopflampen, am 29.07 stehen wir nämlich um 01:30 Uhr auf, um den Sonnenaufgang ganz oben mitzuerleben. Wir fuhren dann gegen 16:30 Uhr wieder mit dem kostenlosen Shuttle-Bus in die Innenstadt Gotembas zurück, schauten im Supermarkt vorbei und besuchten erneut die Bäckerei, wo wir zwei Baguettes für den Bergsteig kauften und eine kleine Tüte Nussbrot geschenkt bekamen - sehr nett.

Im Hotel ruhten wir uns aus, schauten Ricky Gervais auf YouTube, lasen die Nachrichten und lagen 20 Minuten im Halbschlaf. Daraufhin gabs im Hotel Abendessen, Reis mit Rindfleischsoße - eine kostenlose Mahlzeit, die gut schmeckte und satt machte. Schließlich packten wir, schmierten unsere Brote und gingen in die Hotelsauna (Japanese Bath - könnt ihr gerne recherchieren). Morgen gehts wieder früh los, um 07:35 Uhr fährt der Bus von Gotemba Richtung Fuji Talstation. Aufregend!

Day 24. July 27, 2023

Fuji Preparation. Today, we got up early to catch the 07:57 am train from Tokyo to Mishima. We traveled on the so-called Shinkansen train, which runs at a speed of 320 km/h and is globally known as the "Bullet Train." In Mishima, we changed to a regional train and reached Gotemba around 10:00 am, a charming town in the foothills of Mount Fuji (3,776 meters high, Japan's highest peak). Upon arriving at the hotel, we dropped off our luggage, prepared for a day trip to one of the five lakes around Fuji, and walked to the bakery.

The bakery was brilliant, and we had proper croissants, baguettes, and bread for the first time in Asia. After that, we went to the tourist information center, where we had some questions about Mount Fuji. By chance, Wilson asked if any of the mountain huts had two available spots for the night of July 28th to 29th because attempting a one-day hike from the bottom to the top, especially with the risk of altitude sickness, would be dangerously challenging. The man at the info center kindly made calls to different huts. Most of them only accept reservations over the phone and in Japanese, plus there's a backlog of Japanese tourists wanting to climb the mountain due to the pandemic. To our surprise, there were two available beds at the 5th hut, so our plans changed - no lake tour.

We went straight to the outlet mall, where we bought two pairs of hiking boots (sneakers are, of course, unsuitable, and Webster needed new hiking boots while Wilson's shoes are currently worn out). We also purchased a new hiking backpack (Webster needs one too, as his has been through a lot and will soon retire). Additionally, we bought two cheap headlamps since on the 29th of July, we'll be getting up at 01:30 am to witness the sunrise from the top. Around 4:30 pm, we took the complimentary shuttle bus back to downtown Gotemba, stopped by the supermarket, and revisited the bakery, where we purchased two baguettes for the ascent and received a small bag of walnut bread as a gift - very kind.

We rested in the hotel, watched Ricky Gervais on YouTube, read the news, and dozed off for about 20 minutes. Afterward, we had dinner at the hotel, rice with beef sauce - a complimentary meal that tasted good and filled us up. Finally, we packed up, prepared our lunchboxes and went to the hotel sauna (Japanese Bath - you can research more about it if you like). Tomorrow, we'll be starting early again; the bus from Gotemba to the Fuji Talstation departs at 07:35 am. Exciting!

[jetsettermac]

kawaguchiko, yamanashi

march 30-april 1, 2023

>> see photos <<

my first trip after my surgery was to kawaguchiko in yamanashi prefecture!

kawaguchiko is one of the five lakes surrounding mt fuji. it's the most popular and the most established as a tourist destination. there are sightseeing buses and plenty of hotels and museums in the area, plus access to the other lakes.

i got very lucky and ended up having great weather the whole time despite the weather app saying it was going to be rainy! it took a long time to get there so the first day was a travel day, and the second day was my only full day there. i spent the day walking around the north side of the lake to the natural living museum. the north side is the best place to take photos of fuji in kawaguchiko. the natural living museum has some nice gardening outside and a store for souvenirs inside. after that i got the bus to the yamanashi gem museum, which was really neat actually! they had gems from all over the world in both raw and refined form, as well as minerals from all over japan. after that i realized i'd ripped my jeans LOL and had to go back to the hotel. i ended up taking a short rest because i was still tired from the surgery, and i ended up going back to the north side of the lake to catch the sunset.

highly recommend this area for a relaxing trip with great views!

[ultralowoxygen]

Untitled by sleep dream