Fuji views with hot spiced wine and cheese fondue (2.-3. January 2009)
March 10th 2009 The nicest views on Mount Fuji are in winter when the air is cold and dry with clear skies. We did several hikes were we could see Fuji behind several ridges of mountains, but none that was close to it with undisturbed views. The main snow had not arrived in January and we decided to organize an overnight hike to the Tanzawa mountain area. We were 5 people leaving in the morning from Shinjuku High
... read more 
In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more 
