Mount Fuji! 富士山！THE SUMMIT!!

We made it to the top!! We were more than excited - ahead of us was a walk around the crater, which we did hastily as the sun was due up shortly after we set off. It was a rush at first as we wondered around desperate to not miss the sunrise, but actually, our guide did us proud and found us the best spot and as the sun peeked through the horizon, we were perched, with our Union Jack, ready for it!

Tori gates at the top of the mountain!

At the risk of boring you with endless shots of the sun coming up, I have edited a lot of the pictures, but it seems that a fair few are still blog worthy! Truly amazing!

 Bonnie getting blown away by our own flag! This was the ultimate high point - not the flag, but the position. The weather station for Mount Fuji is up a smaller mound, that was actually quite steep. I admit I fell and could barely regain my grip, I think it took three people and a pole to help me up! But, we can truly say that we have climbed to the absolute highest point in Japan! and what a feeling!

We  then continued the walk around the rest of the crater. It was mid-July, but there was still snow at the top of the +3000m mountain.

 The shadow of the mountain - What a fantastic sight!

 There was even a shrine in the crater. The stones had been carried up by pilgrims (I think!). 

And, there's always food and drink - even at the summit of Mount Fuji, there are vending machines, hot ramen and plenty of souvenirs too!

And a stunning view of the lakes down below before we headed down towards them!