Japan chronicles Part 2 – Mt. Fuji.….Hakone….Lake Ashi

 A Day Trip to Mt. Fuji

With great anticipation, we began our Mt. Fuji tour the next morning. The drive itself was an experience — passing through stretches of green countryside, quiet villages, and gently rolling hills. Every now and then, Fuji-San appeared through the drifting clouds — its symmetrical cone, snow-capped and serene, rising majestically above the horizon. Our guide Miko was very good in explaining the ancient lores around Mt. Fuji. 

Our destination was the 5th Station on the Subaru Line, one of the most popular points on the mountain for visitors and climbers alike. It is like the Everest base camp. The Subaru Line, completed in 1964, is a scenic toll road that winds up the northern slope of Mt. Fuji, connecting the base town of Fujiyoshida to the 5th Station at about 2,300 meters above sea level. The road itself is a marvel, offering breathtaking views of forests, volcanic terrain, and the changing vegetation as one ascends the mountain.

Standing at the 5th Station, we were surrounded by a cool, refreshing mountain breeze. The air was crisp, and the view stretched endlessly across the clouds and valleys below. This is the point where many climbers begin their ascent to the summit — a journey that takes several hours and is often timed to reach the peak at sunrise.

For us, it was enough to simply stand there, breathing in the thin mountain air and feeling the quiet energy of Fuji-san, as the Japanese affectionately call their sacred volcano. Mt. Fuji last erupted over 300 years ago, in 1707, during the Edo period. Despite its dormant state, it still commands deep reverence, considered both a spiritual symbol and a natural guardian watching over Tokyo and the surrounding region.

Small souvenir shops, shrines, and cafés dotted the 5th Station area, where visitors offered prayers for safe travels. The view of the clouds drifting below our feet made us feel as though we were standing in the heavens themselves.

Hakone and Lake Ashi

From Mt. Fuji, we continued our journey toward Hakone, a picturesque region celebrated for its hot springs, mountain views, and natural beauty. The drive was filled with ever-changing scenery — winding roads, misty hills, and glimpses of distant lakes.

Our first adventure in Hakone was the Hakone Ropeway, a spectacular cable car journey that runs between Sōunzan and Togendai, offering sweeping views of the Owakudani Valley below. As we ascended, we could see plumes of white steam rising from the earth — the result of natural geothermal activity from the region’s volcanic base.

 

Known as the “Great Boiling Valley,” Owakudani was formed nearly 3,000 years ago during a volcanic eruption of Mount Hakone. Today, it is famous for its sulfuric springs, where the smell of minerals fills the air and the ground hisses softly through vents. The sight of bubbling pools and curling steam clouds against the green slopes was both eerie and fascinating — a vivid reminder of Japan’s volcanic heart.

From the ropeway, we could also catch glimpses of Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) — a crater lake formed by the last eruption of Mount Hakone about 3,000 years ago. Its deep blue waters glistened in the afternoon sun, framed by lush forests and distant mountains.

When we reached Togendai, we boarded a pirate-style cruise ship that glided gently across Lake Ashi. The lake is not only scenic but also symbolic — it offers one of the most famous views of Mt. Fuji on clear days. As the sun began to set, the waters reflected shades of gold and rose, and the surrounding hills turned into silhouettes against the glowing sky.

It was a moment of perfect stillness — the kind of beauty that lingers quietly in memory long after the journey ends.

 By the time we reached our hotel in Tokyo, night had settled softly over the town. We enjoyed a warm dinner buffet with vegetarian options, a pleasant surprise after a long, adventure-filled day. The calmness of Hakone, the distant scent of hot springs in the air, and the contentment of a day well spent wrapped us in quiet joy.

Mt. Fuji – Reflection

Our journey through Japan was just beginning, yet Tokyo and its surrounding wonders had already left a deep impression — of modern elegance, timeless culture, and gentle hospitality.

Standing at the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji, surrounded by drifting clouds and cool mountain air, I felt a deep stillness that words can hardly express. “Fuji-San,” as the Japanese lovingly call it, is not just a mountain—it’s a living symbol of strength, patience, and beauty. Its calm presence, despite its volcanic past, mirrors Japan’s quiet resilience. Watching the horizon fade into the mist, I realized that journeys like this remind us how nature humbles and heals at the same time.

 

                                                        PEACE ON EARTH

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