5th of November 2024 –Mount Fuji and Atami

This morning we visited Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest peak.  On our way out of Tokyo I managed to get a picture of the Tokyo Tower which I had failed to do the day before.

Our visit to Mount Fuji started with a visit to the Fujisan World Heritage Centre from which there was a lovely view of Mount Fuji.  Mount Fuji is an active volcano located on the Japanese island of Honshu with a summit elevation of 3,776.24 metres.  Mount Fuji last erupted from 1707 to 1708.  We were very fortunate to have a clear view of Mount Fuji as Fuji is said to be notoriously shy and is most often wreathed in clouds.  This was the case on going up to the Fujinomiya 5th Station which is the highest of the 5th stations at 2400 meters above sea level.

 

We then travelled by cable car above Owakudani, a volcanic valley with active sulphur and hot springs known as the Great Boiling Valley then down again by cable car for a cruise on Lake Ashi.

 

In the evening we stayed at a hotel in Atami.  Atami literally means "hot ocean", a reference to the town's famous onsen hot springs.  Our hotel had an onsen spa which provided bathing facilities in the hot springs.  The only drawback was that one had to enter the onsen spa naked which a few of us did either before or after another Japanese banquet for dinner.  Taking photos in the onsen spa naturally was not alowed.

4th of November 2024 –Tokyo

Today started at Tokyo Tower, an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice structure standing 1,093 feet high, for views over the city.

 

The Tokyo Tower's Skywalk had sections of glass in the floor on which we could stand and look down.

 

We then had a photo stop near the Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Emperor of Japan.  Sadly the Imperial Palace is not open to visitors.

 

Our next activity was a rickshaw ride round part of the city.  I found getting in and out of the rickshaw quite a challenge.  Our rickshaw puller spoke reasonable English and pointed out traditional food establishments offering food such as Wagyu beef and matcha, a finely ground powder of green tea leaves.  The Japanese use match to flavour many food items from ice-cream to beer and even tequila.

We visited the 7th century Asakusa Sensoji Temple which is the oldest temple in Tokyo.

 

There is a giant urn in front of the main hall of the temple where people can light sticks of incense to make wishes.  The smoke from the incense was quite thick.

My lunch was yakatori chicken from a street vendor.  In Japan the tradition is to eat the street food next to the stall you buy it from and give any wrapping back to the stall vendors.

In the evening we had a dinner cruise on the Sudima River on board a traditional Yakatabune boat with beautiful views of the Tokyo's illuminated skyline.  Yakatabune originated during the Heian Period as a form of entertainment for the aristocracy.   We had to remove our shoes before entering the dining area where we were served with a traditional Japanese banquet including sashimi and tempura.

3rd of November 2024 – Arrival in Japan

Today we arrived in Tokyo.  For me this was after 25 hours of travelling.  The hotel is lovely and beautifully decorated.

 

In the evening we have the chance over a traditional Japanese dinner to meet fellow travellers.

 

There was a lovely view of Tokyo at night walking back to our hotel.

 

The hotel is on Tokyo waterfront.

2nd of November 2024 – En route to Japan

Today I am flying from London Heathrow via Hong Kong to begin a ten day tour of Japan beginning in Tokyo.