Kawaguchiko & Mount Fuji 2012

Well, any trip out to Kawaguchi Lake begins with a ride in one of these fun trains!

Head out west on the Chuo line, then, take the express train from Otsuki (it's worth the few hundred yen extra - more for the leg room than the time you save!)

Going to Kawaguchiko is a funny one - Yes, you can do it in a day from Tokyo, but to be honest, at all accounts, do try and stay at least one night to enhance the feeling of pure relaxation and enjoyment once you get there. Now, I have been a few times to this area - of course, it is a popular spot for tourists and trekkers alike. Mount Fuji appears as the cute little blue & white train makes its way to the station.

However, this was the first time that I actually made an effort to explore if you like. We had a booking at a ryokan, but we also had a good few hours of time to kill. A lot of the traditional ryokans will not let you so much as set foot in their lodgings until the designated check-in time. While this does seem strict, the efforts they are going to to ensure you have a pampered and pleasant stay with them are worth it.

The tourist information centre (where great English is spoken) can help you with your bags etc. So long as you do have a booking, they can look after your bags for you and you are free to explore the surrounding area that is the lake itself!

So, for the first time, I learnt that the lake is within 5 minutes walking distance from the station and we were able to enjoy a lovely ground-level view (the last few times I have seen this lake have been from either the theme par or recently, Mount Fuji itself.)

Along the side of the lake, there are souvenir shops and lots of food places! We stopped for some awesome noodles that boiled away in front of us as we desperately showed patience secretly waiting for it to hurry up!!

Then, we went for a wee stroll. There is a cable car and ropeway you cant take up Mount Kachi Kachi. I had never even noticed this before (although it is a typical tourist hike, so best to avoid weekends, I would say!) Being new to this tourist experience, I was so happy to head up the little mountain and look down below to the lake.

One of the lures of this little mountain is the photo opportunity; Fuji is just 'over there' and you can get some great shots!! It's an addiction, mind, so be careful! It never ceases to amaze me how one mountain can just inspire so much awe, power and fascination! Thanks Fuji san!