Blog #4: Mt. Fuji Up Close and Personal

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 Mt. Fuji

     The subject of an innumberable amount of art pieces, poems, religious ceremonies, and a cultural icon, Mt. Fuji is one of the most notable things about Japan. Take Japanese artist Hokusai for example. Nearly all of his woodblock print paintings feature or glorify Mt. Fuji in some way. His art is globally recognized and iconic, and is one of the avenues many people become familiar with Mt. Fuji.

Katsushika Hokusai | Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), also known as The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) | Japan | Edo
The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai

     This active volcano in Japan is actually a series of montains. Just as the Hawaii islands were formed in a line as a result of moving tectonic plates Mt. Fuji is surrounded by volcanos that formed as a result of the same tectonic plate shifting. Surrounding these mountains are seven large lakes with small towns that support tourism. 
A view from Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan. 

        Our journey to Mt. Fuji began with a gorgeous view of the volcano from Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan. At sunset, it was a gorgeous and rare view, sometimes Mt. Fuji is shy. The locals I showed this photograph to were surprised by the view and said I got lucky. The next day, we drove from our hotel in Midtown Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, about an hour and a half drive. 

Mt. Fuji is dressed in deciduous trees and is preceded by a Tori gate in this image.

        Our first stop on the way up Mt. Fuji was the 4th Station. Mt. Fuji is comprised of ten stations that line the road or trail up the mountain. Most of the climbs begin at the 5th Station, the busiest and most developed station. Our stop at the 4th Station gave us the most amazing view of the mountain. The 5th Station is nearly in the clouds and has so many tourists, that it isn't easy to take in your surroundings. I was thankful we stopped at the 4th Station because it was devoid of tourists and essentially silent except for the wind and trees.

Vegetation in higher altitudes is scarce, due to intense climates, but we saw this small Rhododendron blossom at the 4th Station.

The base of the trail to the top of Mt. Fuji! Halfway there!

This is the ascent to the trail's beginning

        We stopped briefly at the 5th Station to see the base of the trail, although we didn't ascend to the peak. This experience at Mt. Fuji made me excited to go back and climb it fully! I think I may have managed to convince my dad and mom to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary atop Mt. Fuji, so hopefully I get to do that with them in a few years.

After climbing Mt. Fuji, we got local Hoto Noodles, where I may have spilled broth all over myself. Chopsticks are definitely a learning curve.



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