You wake up early because we had a long way to the Five Lakes area. The journey to get there was quite complicated and although we left at 7:30 to make good on the end did not arrive until 12 Noon! First we took the JR Yamanote Line train to Shinjuku, and get there the problems started. We were looking for a train to take us to Otsuki, according to the Japan Guide was an express train that went straight but did not see it anywhere. A guy I consult the mobile and told us that there were no express direct and we had to take the fast train Takkao and then change trains, we were running but not arrived on time. So again seek express. We found it out but JR employee told us that kept Otsuki and that we had to take was the fast was not until 9am. We lost half an hour walking around and then take a slower train than we thought. Arriving at Otsuki had to take the private train Fujikyu 1100 yen, which was not included in the Japan Rail Pass. Just when we left an express train with a charge of 300 yen, but as it was getting late so we paid. Finally, four hours after leaving Tokyo we reached our destination (Kawaguchiko).
The region of Fuji Go Ko or Five Lakes is located at the foot of Mount Fuji. As its name includes 5 lakes: Hakone, the largest, Kawaguchiko, more accessible, and small Saiko, Shojiko and Mosotuko. Kawaguchiko The name refers to both the lake and the village on its banks. This town is famous as the starting point for ascents of Mount Fuji.
See Japan 5b: Fuji-go-ko in a larger map
The first thing we did was to get off the train to go to the tourist office in the station where we attended English and gave us maps of the area. Then we headed down to the cable car up Mount Tenjo. We took only one-way ticket and then walk down. One thing seemed very friendly and it was so abundant there, at that time we were the only western tourists. And it is above all quite fitted for children, with places to eat and play. It was assumed that from the viewpoint of Tenjo had a nice view of Mount Fuji but was all cloudy and did not see anything. What a pity!
Kawaguchiko view from Tenjoyama
Fujiyama covered view of clouds from the Tenjoyama
We knew it was difficult to see Mount Fuji in summer because of the clouds. But now we have found that it is almost impossible! There are years when in the summer months, the Fuji does not look any day! The best time to see it is in winter. On this website there is a chart that illustrates this fact. The original data comes from a Japanese website.
As there was not much to do there climb up to the top where a small shrine (Komitake) it was not worth much worth it. Instead, we liked the way down among beautiful blue flowers, purple and white, the hydrangeas. And these flowers are one of the claims in this area for summer. In the booklet of Mount Tenjo indicated for each season highlight: deciduous leaves in autumn, the snow of Mount Fuji in winter, cherry blossom in spring and hydrangeas naturally in the summer. It took about three quarters of an hour to get to the village and it was a very pleasant walk.
down the Tenjoyama
down the Tenjoyama
hydrangeas Tenjoyama
Tenjoyama hydrangeas, with the bottom Kawaguchiko
To eat not wanted to sit long to seize the day, so we bought some chips in a supermarket and a large kibble about old men who did not speak English. It proved a breaded stuffed pasta sauce acceptable taste.
To scroll through the town of Kawaguchiko is best to take the Retrobus. There is a two day pass with unlimited use for 1000 yen worth since the distances are quite long. We did not know but maybe not what we had taken as our initial intention was to make the journey to the end and walk back. We took the bus next to the cable car and got off at the last stop (the 21). We had to argue a bit with the driver as we wanted to pay the entire line (470 yen) when we had caught 10 Finally we stop to understand us but then the price difference was not much (400 yen).
At the end of the path is Retrobus Oishi Park, full of very nice flowers. We were lucky to be in the season of blooming lavender, which is between mid-June and July. There were a lot of people cutting the spikes of lavender for bouquets, were well equipped with gloves and pruning shears. We believe that it had to pay to get a corsage. The truth is that they were leaving the plants quite shorn!
Oishi Park
Oishi Park
Oishi Park
We decided to take the way back on foot crossing the lake shore. Too bad it was all cloudy because the views would have been spectacular. We seemed to not take long to make all around, but after an hour we saw that even walking was a long way and decided to take the bus. 7 stops walked to the bus stop 10, where we had taken in the morning and it cost 350 yen.
Kawaguchiko
In that area are volcanic rocks Tatamiiwa where there is a picnic in which rested a bit. It was already 5pm and decided to return to Tokyo as the journey would be long. On the way to the train station bought 4 tangerines over 400 yen! In Japan the fruit is a luxury.
The region of Fuji Go Ko or Five Lakes is located at the foot of Mount Fuji. As its name includes 5 lakes: Hakone, the largest, Kawaguchiko, more accessible, and small Saiko, Shojiko and Mosotuko. Kawaguchiko The name refers to both the lake and the village on its banks. This town is famous as the starting point for ascents of Mount Fuji.
See Japan 5b: Fuji-go-ko in a larger map
The first thing we did was to get off the train to go to the tourist office in the station where we attended English and gave us maps of the area. Then we headed down to the cable car up Mount Tenjo. We took only one-way ticket and then walk down. One thing seemed very friendly and it was so abundant there, at that time we were the only western tourists. And it is above all quite fitted for children, with places to eat and play. It was assumed that from the viewpoint of Tenjo had a nice view of Mount Fuji but was all cloudy and did not see anything. What a pity!
Kawaguchiko view from Tenjoyama
Fujiyama covered view of clouds from the Tenjoyama
We knew it was difficult to see Mount Fuji in summer because of the clouds. But now we have found that it is almost impossible! There are years when in the summer months, the Fuji does not look any day! The best time to see it is in winter. On this website there is a chart that illustrates this fact. The original data comes from a Japanese website.
As there was not much to do there climb up to the top where a small shrine (Komitake) it was not worth much worth it. Instead, we liked the way down among beautiful blue flowers, purple and white, the hydrangeas. And these flowers are one of the claims in this area for summer. In the booklet of Mount Tenjo indicated for each season highlight: deciduous leaves in autumn, the snow of Mount Fuji in winter, cherry blossom in spring and hydrangeas naturally in the summer. It took about three quarters of an hour to get to the village and it was a very pleasant walk.
down the Tenjoyama
down the Tenjoyama
hydrangeas Tenjoyama
Tenjoyama hydrangeas, with the bottom Kawaguchiko
To eat not wanted to sit long to seize the day, so we bought some chips in a supermarket and a large kibble about old men who did not speak English. It proved a breaded stuffed pasta sauce acceptable taste.
To scroll through the town of Kawaguchiko is best to take the Retrobus. There is a two day pass with unlimited use for 1000 yen worth since the distances are quite long. We did not know but maybe not what we had taken as our initial intention was to make the journey to the end and walk back. We took the bus next to the cable car and got off at the last stop (the 21). We had to argue a bit with the driver as we wanted to pay the entire line (470 yen) when we had caught 10 Finally we stop to understand us but then the price difference was not much (400 yen).
At the end of the path is Retrobus Oishi Park, full of very nice flowers. We were lucky to be in the season of blooming lavender, which is between mid-June and July. There were a lot of people cutting the spikes of lavender for bouquets, were well equipped with gloves and pruning shears. We believe that it had to pay to get a corsage. The truth is that they were leaving the plants quite shorn!
Oishi Park
Oishi Park
Oishi Park
We decided to take the way back on foot crossing the lake shore. Too bad it was all cloudy because the views would have been spectacular. We seemed to not take long to make all around, but after an hour we saw that even walking was a long way and decided to take the bus. 7 stops walked to the bus stop 10, where we had taken in the morning and it cost 350 yen.
Kawaguchiko
In that area are volcanic rocks Tatamiiwa where there is a picnic in which rested a bit. It was already 5pm and decided to return to Tokyo as the journey would be long. On the way to the train station bought 4 tangerines over 400 yen! In Japan the fruit is a luxury.
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