January 5, 2024

Today we decided to get a closer look at Mt. Fuji. The first question was how best to get there.

The Japanese rail system is amazing but has all the complexity and ambiguity of a market system. Lots of providers. Many different ways to do things. A lot of knowledge is assumed.

Getting Mt. Fuji is a great example. We found the JR East option for the Fuji Excursion. That runs 3 times a day each way. It turns out that it is part of a larger train and at Ōtsuki station the first 3 cars split off. We came to learn that these were all reserved. We got seats on the train but needed to get off at Ōtsuki station. We did not understand exactly what was going on but figured what the heck. After so poking around we came to learn that the leg from Ōtsuki to Kawaguchiko (the station we were targeting) was run by a different railway company – Fujikyu Railway. On the ride to Ōtsuki I was reading more about the express one and it looked like all the trains did not line up to our timing. Then I began to see hints on of a local non-reserved version. Could not find a schedule but when we got there that indeed was it. There is a local line running every so often and you just hop on (after acquiring a different ticket).

So we made it to the Lake Kawaguchi.

…and found the mountain.

It was pretty cool to see. We wandered around the town and down to the lake. Got some lunch (Tendon – a Tempura Rice bowl).

Our times and transport means did not line up but we wanted to check out the Aokigahara Forest and the caves there. Something to come back for.

We said goodbye to the mountain.

On the way back, our adventures continued. This time our departure lined up with one of the reserved trains operated by Fujikyu (not the JR East Fuji Excursion). A rail attendant saw us looking indecisive and sold us a ticket. Fun to luck into things.

Not Thomas the Tank Engine but good nonetheless.

It was a quiet end to the day and we hang out and crashed early but not before watching the sissy over Mt. Fuji to close the day again.