Katy's Photo Archive. Japan 2002 - Mount Fuji & Hakone

Background

Mount Fuji - at 3,776 meters tall, is Japan's highest peak by far. It has been dormant since 1707 and is believed to have first erupted 8 to 10,000 years ago. Mount Fuji is only climbable in the months of July and August. Pilgrims and recreational climbers crowd the Kawaguchi-ko and Yoshida trails. Trails are divided into 10 stages. Climbers generally start at the 5th stage and start to climb by night or afternoon to reach summit by sunrise.

Trip Information

My trip to Mount Fuji started with an inquiry at my hotel concierge desk. I wanted to see Mount Fuji and had decided that the best way to accomplish this is via an organized tour. I was referred to Sunrise Tours (http://www.jtb.co.jp/sunrisetour/) for its 1 day excursion to Mount Fuji and Hakone. Itinerary includes:

View of Mount Fuji from Chuo Expressway - deluxe motorcoach drive along the famous Chuo Expressway, en route enjoying a breathtaking view of sacred Mount Fuji.
Fuji Visitor Center - Nature, culture and artwork concerning Mount Fuji are on display at the information center.
Mount Fuji 5th Station - Drive halfway up Mt. Fuji to the Fifth Station if possible. We were only able to visit the First Station. To make up for having extra time, we visited Sengen Jinja before lunch.
Lunch at Hotel Highland Resort - I had the western-style salmon lunch.
Cruise on Lake Ashi - a relaxing cruse on Lake Ashi aboard a sightseeing vessel to the start of Mt. Komagatake Aerial Cableway.
Mount Komagatake Aerial Cableway - Komagatake, the cental volcanic cone of the Hakone range, rises 1,327 meters above sea level. An 1,800 meter long aerial tramway operates between Hakone Park and the summit for magnificent views of Mount Fuji and Hakone National Park.
Return to Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train) via Odawara Station.