Japan Trip: Day 4 - Mt. Fuji and Hakone

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Today, we left Tokyo and drove out to Mt. Fuji.

The first stop was a rest area near the base of the mountain, offering a good view of the mountain. The bus then drove us up the mountain to a point about halfway up, at an elevation around 7,000 ft.

We then went to Lake Yamanaka, and had lunch there. I found some beef curry and rice again, which was becoming my favorite and most consumed dish in Japan.

Then, we went to Lake Ashi. We took a gondola from Lake Ashi (elevation around 2,000 ft) up to Mt. Komagatake, elevation 1,327m/4,353ft. Unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the worse, with windy and cloudy conditions developing, obscuring what was supposed to have been a magnificent view of Mt. Fuji to the right, and the Pacific to the left. Oh, well. Back down for a short boat trip across Lake Ashi, then off to the hotel at Hakonemachi.

Once in the room, I turned on the TV for the first time in Japan, and checked out some Sumo wrestling, and a game show that looked funny, but I couldn't understand a word of what was being said. I walked around the quiet little town, then went to bed.

Check out "The Natural Japan" video below!

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Photos

Mt. Fuji
The quintessential Japanese landmark, Mt. Fuji, elevation 3776m/12,388ft.

Another view of Mt. Fuji
Taken from the bus after we descended the mountain and were driving to Lake Yamanaka.