Fujisan 富士山🗻

Another epic climb of 2017 added to my climbing bucket list - Mt Fuji, Japan!

Mt Fuji is very popular in Japan, with both foreigners as well as locals. There are 4 different trail options you may choose from before you decide which to go for. Quick key info that tells the different:

Fujinomiya Trail: starts at 2,400masl (has a total of approximate 260mins climbing time) - steepest

Gotemba Trail: starts at 1,450masl (has a total of approximate 520mins climbing time) - longest

Subashiri Trail: starts at 2,000masl (has a total of approximate 310mins climbing time)

Yoshida Trail: starts at 2,305masl (has a total of approximate 350mins climbing time)

Here's our climbing itinerary, we first went on a 3hrs warm up hike at Mt Ashigara aka Mt Kintoki at 1,212masl from approximately 650masl the day before. This is because our group lead wanted to access how we cope with climbing. 

The next day, we commence our Mt Fuji ascend from Gotemba trail head 5th station at approximately 1,450masl to the 7.9 station at 3,290masl to rest before ascending to the peak for sunrise the next morning. Ascend from the 7.9 station to summit takes approximately 90mins and most people start climbing at 2.30am.

The descend was then from Mt Fuji peak via Fujinomiya trail detour to Mt Hoei at 2,693masl reconnecting to descend to bus station via Gotemba trail head.

Mt Ashigara/Kintoki at 1,212masl

Mt Fuji at 3776masl in the land of the rising sun!

Hollow rainbow in the land of the rising sun!

Mt Hoei at 2,693masl on a very wet morning

Japan most beautiful village - Shirakawa-go

In every trip, one would have their favourite spot in some way, that includes me! My last adventure to Nepal is currently one of my favourite destination and trekking to Poon Hill is currently on the top. Since there are still so many place in the globe that I have yet to explore, I'm pretty sure this list will grow longer.

Now, from my recent trip to Japan, although cherry blossom viewing is no doubt a highlight to the trip but still I would prefer destination like Shirakawa-go, well always like mountains more than flowers :)

Shirakawa-go is a touristy destination 45 minutes away from Takayama, I nearly forgo this trip to stay in Kyoto after a rainy day in the city as I didn't see much of Kyoto yet. Anyways, I'm glad to have insisted my journey to Takayama.

There are a number of bus services depart from Takayama town to Shirakawa-go, you can either book your slot or just turn up at the bus station next to Takayama main train station, remember to be punctual!

Takayama main station

one of the bus company with it's schedule to Shirakawa-go, note the slots in red requires advance bookings

round trip to the village sold at ￥4,300, free seating

Scenery along the way was getting better and better, especially when mountains are still covered by snow, it was very cold that morning (it drizzled snow in Takayama town), thank God for the bus is heated so that all of us can have a very comfy ride up the mountain with the following beautiful scenery.

toll entering the village, this is the only toll I saw in Japan, cos I have been in the train more than the buses

at the entrance of the village, this view took my breath away

It was freezingly cold that afternoon, I had to keep walking in order to keep myself warm. The surroundings area in this village is indeed beautiful, reckon this would be a nice place for honeymoon. 

an alsatian statue with trendy accessories

Ice drips from roofs

I had a map in my hand, however must admit that I'm not the most organize person who would plan a route systematically using a map. Majority of the time I would ended up walking and referring to road signs along the way like in the pictures...

at the view point

someone left their hand print on the snow

farm houses with paddy field as their backyard

cute little fire fighter hut in the village

Bus station is somewhere beneath the hill at the front

the commercialized restaurant and souvenir huts

well deserved claim as one the world heritage site in the country

this is the bridge crossing to the village from the bus station

Although a very cold morning, I was swiveling at some points but I have thoroughly enjoyed the stroll around the village in the few hours, Shirakawa-go indeed is beautiful! It is a place that will make you slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy the surrounding.

Tokyo in yet another 2 days (continue)

Well, didn't really have the 2 full days in Tokyo as it was the final 2 days prior to departure home. Spent my first morning in Nikko, the trip to the known world heritage side was rather a disappointment to me but oh well, in every trip one would have a least favourite spot and is part of travelling!

Is the hanami weekend! being a foreigner going to experience this for the first time, can you imagine how excited I was.

The crowd at the Ueno park entrance

local dancing with their sakura song. only heard about those ribbon obi represent a married lady, easier for the boys to differentiate heh!

a very happening hanami festival

plenty of drinking and eating

a foreigner performing at the park to earn money

a young kid looking out to the view, couldn't get her face cos my arm isn't long enough

beautiful hey

the sun setting down making the city golden looking, is a piece of art to me

clouds of cherry blossoms 

a trendy cat lady with her beautiful white kitty on tramp! that's how she would hold up the kitty's arm telling her to admire the blossoms with her. Wish I can have this sort of life when I retire.

this uncle was feeding those little birds with bread crumbs in his hand

really wish we have such scenic park in KL

food stall setup for the festival, things are very pricey

this grill giant corn cost ￥500 each

the lake by night

That was the end of my second last day in Japan.
Now my final day in Japan, I took the day very slowly. Since it is so precious to be seeing sakura in Tokyo, I therefore visited the nearest park I could, to enjoy those beautiful cherry blossoms for one last time. Here's Yoyogi park which is much quieter compared to Ueno, the morning crowd were all taking the day so easily, probably because it is a Sunday and everyone are making full use of the day before going back to work the next day.

saw the same bubble gentleman at the park from my first visit

white clouds of blossoms, why can't we have this in KL!

a whole group of poodle family were out in the park

this pair of un-identical twin's owner were so friendly and kind to let me photograph them

Yoyogi has a huge designated area fence up for dogs, divided for big and small dog. There's this huge black dog that the owner seems to disallowed him from playing with others where the owner himself would throw a ball for the blackie to fetch. What's  funny to watch that morning was one of the cheeky Shiba keep going to the blacky but obviously as you can see from the pictures the owner disallowed that and Shiba's owner came pushing and and pulling that fella away; which didn't really work. But the moment his owner raises his voice to give him command, check out his respond in the next picture.

the whitey Shiba sat down quietly after hearing his owner's command! 

Whitey is clearly the cheekiest dog that morning, wishes to give him  big hug though

on the other end there's this black & white pug that got so excited with a young boy whom was playing run and chase between the fences. Clearly shows that this pug love kids.

the pug that got tired after plenty of chasing and barking

more bubbles fun in the park

such a scenic view

families of dog greeting one another

anyone know what breed ate these, they are so skinny

a pupp at a mini concert

a Thai market in Tokyo?

It was my last few hours in Tokyo, I was a bit unorganized with what I'm suppose to do and all I have in my head was shopping! haven't bought anything after so many days in Japan, shopping was my least priority cos didn't want to add to the weight of my backpack while on the move.

Anyway, things flow in kind of quite smoothly, my instinct brought me to following few spots...

walked to Shibuya

bid farewell with Hachiko 

Went back to Asakusa cos I remember seeing a lot of shopping here, especially was aiming to get more fridge magnet :)

a giant dog ate the whole cone of ice cream offered by his owner

at the Ueno JR line entrance 

the accidental walk that brought me to this huge market that sells all sorts of goods, from electricity, fashion, household or food stuff.

I had fun in Tokyo, there were so much walking, I missed the fish market, Ghibli museum and Mt Fuji which I couldn't do cos of time constraints and museum were fully booked. Well, next time Japan, I'll be back to do more stuff.