couchflyer.com awesome 2 day trip to top 5 sights in fuji five lakes area japan
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October 31, 2016
Awesome 2 day trip to top 5 sights in Fuji Five Lakes areaJapan
www.couchflyer.com /2-day-trip-top-5-sights-fuji-five-lakes-japan/
A weekend family trip to Mt Fuji Lake Kawaguchiko Lake Saiko AsamaShrine Wind Cave and Yoshino SatoThe weather this year has been rather unusual. No summer, just rain. Apparently the second wettest season inrecorded history of Japan. The wettest was the year 1961 when heavy typhoon triggered massive landslidesdestroying what was known as the most beautiful village of Japan. It was beside lake Saiko facing Mt Fuji. We willtalk more about it later here. The route to lake Saiko starts from the hilly rail station of Lake Kawaguchiko. Asamashrine is within a short distance of Kawaguchiko station. Wind cave falls on the way to Yoshino Sato village. Theseare the top 5 sites you must visit if going on a weekend trip to Fuji 5 lakes area. And got a family with kids. Andlooking for a refreshing break not a hurried rush. That is how this awesome 2 day trip top 5 sights in Fuji five lakesarea happened. Let’s begin.
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Recommended 2 day trip top 5 sights in Fuji five lakes area
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A bit of Intro
The Fuji five lakes formed several thousand years ago, due to a volcanic eruption. Rivers blocked turned into lakes.Dense forest now covers most of the peaks around, except Mt.Fuji which is currently dormant but have a hotunderlayer spewing sulphuric vapors through the porous upper layer.
Without any green cover, having uniformgradient on all sides, Mt Fuji looks more likean engineered structure , rather than anatural formation. The 3776 M high peakrises gradually up all the way from near sealevel. Visible from as far as Tokyo thisimposing giant has been revered acrossJapan as the seat of the heavens. A sight tocherish a place to honor. The five lakesaround it formed a beautiful surrounding. Onclear days the reflection of the peak on thewaters of Lake Kawaguichiko, the largest of the five lakes,inspire tired souls.
Journey Starts – 2 day trip top 5 sights in Fujifive lakes
This time we were to stay at a lakeside cottage by the lakeKawaguchiko. And decided to take local bus trips to placesaround. Itinerary included this village Yoshin Sato knownas Japan’s most beautiful village. And also the lava caves formed thousands of years ago around lake Saiko. If oneis visiting Japan for a month or more then visiting Mt Fuji is a natural thing. Booking a two story cottage having aclear view of Mt Fuji from the onsen or the garden – it just happened.
But the unusually heavy rain all through the summer months worried us. The weather seemed ready to spoil allplans.
just the day before departure the sky cleared. Prediction for the weekend was sunny! When we reached hotel ourhost greeted us saying this would be only the 5th or 6th times in the entire previous two months when Mt Fuji wasexpected to be visible! And man how awesome that can be. We were to discover soon.
By train or bus – 2 hours
From Shinjuku all highway buses were full. Thanks to satellite weather monitoring the entire Tokyo knew this wasThe weekend to go visit Mt Fuji and its five lakes. Car rental was also out of question. The only other but costlieroption was to buy train tickets. By the way when someone says costly in Japan you better mind it. Some stuffotherwise normal outside can cost an arm and a leg in Japan.
Be that as it may, journey by train meant it was more spacious. When you have kids you know what a difference toyour travel experience it can make.
Are we there yet? Well ah …look there’s that nice car you see we are going faster than that … Can’t you see? Achocolate ? No, candy? She has got the larger one…
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Kawaguchiko Station Redline bus and KachiKachi Ropeway
View off Kachi Kachi Ropeway
1st of top 5 sights –the Kachi KachiRopeway
The Train we boarded wasdirect to Kawaguchiko.Within Two hours we wereat destination. Rechargedselves with fresh hot bowlsof udon and curry rice.Luggage at station locker,we boarded the local Redline bus.
First point of interest wasKachi Kachi Ropeway.Walkable from station. Butwe are couch flyers,walking is too much work.Unfortunately, the busencountered a group oftourists from some otherFar East Asian country. All11 of them. the bus couldaccommodate barely 2more. Negotiation started –2 more not 8 more? Areyou sure? Ah what did yousay – Yes? Home countrynorms understandablydictated the outcome. Did you ever feel jealous of canned sardines before ?
Kachi Kachi was a nice change. The sun was already turning orange. Fuji in thesilhouette, it’s entire form as if a gentle giant rising from earth. Customary photodone we headed for the steamer station below.
The 2nd – Lake Kawaguchiko cruise
Hill regions tend to draw into darkness sooner. The long shadows of the peaksaround Fuji fell on lake Kawaguchiko. In between the water sparkled, colored inOrange Afternoon glow.
Viewing the surroundings from the open deck of the steamer, one could see thehuge Mt Fuji standing tall amongst the blue-grey mountain ranges in the horizon.Few tourists were rowing the small boats. Cranes flying back. Evening was about toset in.
End of Day 1 – onsen and zzz…
Headed back to Kawaguchiko station. Collected luggage, waited for the pick up van from hotel. Ours was a servicedcottage. We picked up groceries from Ogino, the local supermarket. The warm wood paneled two storied cottage
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Sun setting – view from Kachi Kachi top point
with heated floor felt so welcoming! A quick trip to the covered in-premise onsen, and we were in dreamland.
Day 2 a clear morning
Next morning was bright. Headed towards the lake, a 3minutes walk. Autumn Sun rays were gently brushing thelake. A layer of Mist still covered the lake surface. One ortwo fishermen already were out with their boats. Fuji wasyet not visible. Drew in deep breathes. Such freshness.
Sight #3 – The magnificent Asama Shrine
After breakfast checked out. Kept the luggage with thehotel. Walked towards Asama shrine. Said to be twelvehundred years old it is remarkable due to the giant cedars inits premises. An ambiance of peace and quietude reigned.Sound of a nearby waterfall was the only sound that couldbe heard. Apart from our own footsteps. Barely any visitor.The vermilion colored huge entrance gate -the Torii -seemed standing there lost in its own.
The shrine was hidden amongst the tall pines and the cedars. Cedars were planted in formation mimicking the BigDipper constellation. Why ? Nobody has an answer. The cedars themselves – Giant, aged, experienced, but alas,silent.
An old person came out from a nearby shop. Curious he asked us where we are from what are we for in Japan etc.Then slid into a monologue about how great this shrine once was – it’s history, tradition. With childish Enthusiasmhe went ahead up to the shrine porch, pushed a door ajar. A ginormous paper lantern hung. Door shut, another dooropened. A mikoshi, richly decorated, colors somewhat paled, came into view. It’s a wooden shrine carried onshoulders by devotees around neighborhood, He explained many things. But unfortunately our limited vocabulary,and time, drew the conversation to closure. Wish we planned better!
We were dropped back to Kawaguchiko station courtesy hotel pickup and drop off service. This time another twotourists were in the van. sounded French to us, if not Greek. We were to get into Greenline bus today. Redlinestravel locally around Kawaguchiko. Green lines cover a larger tourist circle, including lake Saiko.
Next leg by Green line – all the way to Lake Saiko
In such trips normally we take care to mark a nearby Combini – Japan’s ubiquitous neighborhood convenient storesselling everything. For us combinis have stood there in all times good or bad. In the beginning When what’s yourname was too difficult a question to comprehend. And then now and then providing us with hot meals when we aretoo tired. Or just lazy.. Cakes/pasta/curry rice/ cup noodles – good enough. Though certainly not good enough foryou planning to relish a leisurely meal. A proper restaurant served meal. Kawaguchiko station area for that matter isnot the best place anyway. We picked up our grub from the Combini right outside. Stood in queue for Greenline.
The one ticket for redline also works for Greenline. Both economical and convenient. Didn’t have to wait long. Soonwe were out into the less touristy more natural surroundings of the greater Kawaguchiko area. Cottages by thelakeside, fishing boats, and blue lake reflecting images of green peaks. forest still dense in certain areas, rootscovered by algae fed by fresh rain, part of the Aokigahara forest land.
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Destination # 4 – Wind Cave
Our first destination in this leg of the trip was wind cave. A lava cave formed after the bubbles in the cooling lavaburst. Said to be of lower gradient, safe for kids and senior citizens. Part of the cave complex that opens at other endknown as ice cave. Hidden in forest under ground, these caves stay cold through the out the year. Icy stalactitesform inside the Ice cave in winter. The locals used to store grains and silk cocoons. Introduction of Commercialrefrigerators led to gradual disuse. But now the tourism authority has taken over. tourists visit in droves. ElectricalLights, stairs, a more or less paved passageway helps navigate inside. Grains and silk cocoons are still kept inside,only for demonstration though.
A bit about the bus stop – sorry solved the puzzle!
Greenline bus reaches wind cave passing by the bat cave and the beautiful village known as Yoshino noSato.Greenlines makes a loop around Yoshino Sato, right before visiting the wind cave and again right after.
Somewhat like USA??!
From bus stop we crossed the road and walked a short distance to the ticket gate. The entire area is covered ingreen forest. Save for the grass covered parking area outside the forest entrance. Kept reminding me of our trip tothe Kentucky caves, USA. Only this area perhaps receives much more rain. So the tree roots are covered in moss.
Wind cave indeed was as exciting as we expected. Not too difficult. entry was two flights of stairs down. UsuallyRain drenched, needed careful steps. challenge was the low ceiling. Lights did show warnings at critical places. Thenavigable path inside was just about fifty feet or so. Thereafter it narrowed further making it difficult for normaltourists. Spelunking enthusiasts may continue though, perhaps emerging out at the ice cave end. Ice cave can alsobe reached by a well marked path from a point near the ticket gate. Other option in case you are interested is to takea bus to the next stop around the forest. We didn’t. not this time.
Headed back to the same Redline bus stop where we got down across the road. Today’s next destination – YoshinoSato.
Experience #5 – Yoshino Sato
The bus dropped us at a stop next to a narrowriver. It’s a wide plain valley, surrounded bypeaks. The river runs a short distance beforemeeting lake Saiko. Color of water in lakeSaiko is green, the color of the forest coveredhill ranges. Yoshino Sato village is a little walkup. Down here in the valley there is a smallmarket next to the bus stop. It caters to thevillagers and tourists alike. Roasted corns,grilled fish on a stick, fresh farm produce.touristy brick a brack. Asked the owner of theshop selling polished chips of colored stonesas jewelry – are these sourced locally? Asheepish smile was the only answer.
The way to village went up by the side of thestream. It is October. white blooms of kans
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The Kawaguchiko Cruise
Sun rays highlighting the contrast of blue water and green grass
grass (saccharum spontaneum) filled the twosides. Ripe pumpkins in the vegetable patchesreminded Halloween was approaching. Thesky appeared extra blue.
It is all about the experience…
Yoshino Sato is described as the mostbeautiful village in Japan. It is a collection ofthatched roof cottages. With gardens, stream,small bridges, and narrow winding pathways.Mt Fuji is right in front, covering the entirehorizon from one side to the other! The villageis virtually in its lap. On its other sides thegreenish blue hill ranges extend as far as eyescan see. One British foreign ambassadorcompared it with Switzerland. No exaggerationhere. we did feel as if we went back tosomewhere in the Interlaken area. Pictureperfect.
There’s a kimono rental available in one of the cottages. Very thoughtfully it also offers rental for men. gorgeoussamurai dress with armour headgear and sword! At a Very reasonable price. There was a queue. Queue for rental.Queue for taking photos at the best location – on the bridge over the stream with Mt Fuji in the background. Queuesdiscourage some, but not our could-be queen. Statutory photos done, returned dress and headed for the othercottages. Each cottage serves to showcase some form of traditional Japanese art and craft. Wood craft, papermaking, clay modeling etc. visitors can participate, and buy. Run under supervision by tourism authorities.
And a bit of tragedy mixed…
Originally the village was much larger. But the 1961 typhoon triggered major landslide destroying much of life andproperty. We sneaked in this one and that one, without really any particular interest. The day’s journey wasbeginning to take its toll. but then our junior most member came running up to us excitedly pointing to an yardbetween two cottages few feet below. Some kids, as well as their moms and dads were walking around on stilts!Well trying,mostly. Appeared that stilt walking was a tradition in these areas. To help tourists have a feel of the times
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Evening descending on Kawaguchiko
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the authorities kindly kept a few stilts. Both junior and senior sizes. Free to try. And so we did.
By this time the sky turned orange. The peaks on the western horizon cast long shadows. Top of Mt. Fuji was nolonger visible, covered in clouds. Time to return.
Journey ends …till the next
By the time we reached station the sun was already gone, leaving only a reddish hue on the western sky. Streetlights lit up. The kids seemed ready to fall into sleep anytime soon. It would be years later when they look back intophotos of this day they will realize how lucky they were. A golden weekend at one of world’s iconic place. For nowthey were only too happy to have collected their mementos – lapel pins with writing Mt Fuji world heritage site. Trainstarted. a huge golden moon was rising. It was full moon night. Reclined back into the seat. In two hours the neonlights of the mega city Tokyo would push us back into our cage. Bound by time. Till then…
COMING SHORTLY…Fall colors and Nikko
Meanwhile check out the following
Fall colors in Kyoto- TofukujiFall colors in Kyoto- Day 1
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Dawn breaking on Mt Fuji
Related
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clear autumn sun onMt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko
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Asama Shrine and the 1200 year old cedars
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Wind cave near Lake Saiko
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View from around Yoshino Sato
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Yoshino sato a picture postcard village
Click to download as PDF
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