Fuji-san, Japanese! 🇯🇵

Finally, Japan 😍
This trip has been a dream for a long time, and the timing was chosen carefully - just as the Japanese spring begins. In many places, plum and early cherry blossoms are already blooming, and while the air feels fresh and soft, some snow still lingers in the mountains.

We landed in Tokyo but decided to save the city for the end of the journey. At the airport, we picked up our campervan - home for the next few weeks - and hit the road straight to Mount Fuji.

Fuji-san, as it’s respectfully called here, is Japan’s highest mountain (3,776 meters) and a sacred symbol. For centuries, it has inspired poets, monks, and artists. Interestingly, it’s technically a stratovolcano, last erupting in 1707. Today, it’s one of Japan’s most photographed landmarks - and it’s easy to understand why.

Early in the morning, we went to see Fuji from Chureito Pagoda, the famous red pagoda with a view. It was beautiful - and very crowded, of course. But just above the pagoda, we found a steep trail leading into the forest. After about an hour of hiking, we reached Turtle Rock and then the summit of Mount Koubou. From there, we had a perfect, peaceful view of Fuji - just us and two other guys we met along the way. No noise, no selfie sticks. Just silence, a perfect blue sky, and Maciek quietly taking photos with his old film camera.

Later, we drove to the village of Oshino Hakkai, known for its clear ponds and traditional atmosphere. We tried grilled rice cakes filled with red bean paste and others with a miso glaze - delicious and unexpectedly filling.

The day ended by Lake Kawaguchi, watching Fuji in the golden light of sunset. And then, the perfect ending: an onsen! It was incredibly relaxing. Afterward, a quick massage on one of those magic Japanese massage chairs, and we parked the camper at a free michi no eki parking spot by the lake. Not a bad first day in Japan.Read more