During my trip to Tokyo, seeing Mt Fuji is definitely on my list! Many times I’ve seen it drawn in animes, perfectly shaped, beautifully capped in its eternal snow: I must visit Mt Fuji and see it with my own eyes!
Mt Fuji is a two-hour bus ride from Tokyo. I didn’t want to be bothered with the specifics with getting there, so I booked a bus tour-Mt Fuji-Lake Ashi-Bullet train from Sunrise tours. I booked at the last minute, and we paid 14,000 yen each. The meeting point was in Shinjuku area, and we got lost. When I noticed the time and how close we were to being left by the bus, I panicked and started asking for directions from anyone. Now, this was really hard in Japan because not everyone speaks English. When I asked directions from the 7-11 cashier, he let me out (made me wonder if he thought I was soliciting money). We saw a heavy Japanese man in a suit who was probably on his way to work, and when we asked for directions, he asked us to follow him. Yippee!! I hope we weren’t so much of an inconvenience. (The Japanese are really cool people!!!)
Thanks to this awesome stranger, were able to board our bus on time. Our tour guide (seen in the picture) first tells us on how Mt Fuji had its name, and why the Japanese call it Fuji-san. (among many other trivias like, why Subaru has 6 stars in its logo, when the true star cluster has 7).
We were warned of the great role our luck will play in seeing Mt Fuji. Apparently, it is a very shy mountain and most of the time it hides behind the clouds. Apart from that, Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan and it is forever snowing in its cone, and it camouflages against a foggy white sky. Many travelers say Mt Fuji really isn’t viewable from the 5th station, and the view at the 4th station is better. But the buses only go until here, and to get to the 4th station you have to drive or hire a private guide.
When we arrived at the 5th station, our guide told us we have 30 minutes to take pictures. My brain tried to protest, but, that is the price to pay for being in a group tour, you don’t really ever own your time. Now, this was actually enough to take pictures really fast and use the toilet.
There were many tourists in the area, but getting a good picture wasn’t a problem. There were cafes, shops selling souvenirs, but if you had 30 minutes, all of that goes to Mt Fuji.
After seeing Mt Fuji, we went to eat our lunch (goes with the tour). I am a fan of Japanese food more than I would like to admit. It is my comfort food, and I have to say, unfortunately, I find no comfort with this meal. 
I could do with more salt.
After our lunch, we headed to Lake Ashi, which is also known as Hakone lake. Hakone lake on a good day, would grant people views of Mt. Fuji, but today, Mt Fuji was hiding. The truth is, Hakone was just an uneventful lake. But then, I’m in Japan and I don’t mind taking in and enjoying the view. Life is good, what’s to complain? (If you want a disney-like experience I think you could ride themed boats around the lake.)
After Lake Ashi, we climbed aboard the Komagatake ropeway. Here, we rode a carriage up, it leads to an observation deck up a mountain. I couldn’t see Mt Fuji though, and clouds were everywhere. At the right timing, our guide says we could’ve. After getting down the carriage, we hiked 30 minutes further to the top (an option I took, I mean why not), where the Hakone shrine could be reached. The shrine was small but interesting, and it is a perfect reward for the easy hike with a few stairs.
On our return trip, the bus dropped us by the train station. We rode the Shinkansen, which is the Japanese bullet train. Although it is the fastest commercial train in Japan, it is not the fastest in the world. (goodness gracious, Europe has really high speed trains). The Maglev train in Japan is a record holder for train speed, but is not under commercial use. (Still under study)
Till we meet again, Fuji-san.
Xxxx, Gayle
When she gets lost 