Day 3: Mt Fuji & Five Lakes Adventure

Today was all about Mount Fuji. We left Ikebukuro by highway bus and arrived in Kawaguchiko, where we picked up a rental car and immediately began our mission: circle as many of the Fuji Five Lakes as possible and stop every 300 meters for photos.

The views were unreal—Fuji perfectly visible, framed by glowing red momiji everywhere. We visited Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba, a small traditional village with thatched houses and beautiful mountain backdrops, and later relaxed at Tatego-Hama Beach with more picture-perfect views of the mountain across the water.

In the late afternoon we checked into our guesthouse near the famous Chureito Pagoda. For sunset we powered up the endless stairs, joined the crowd of hundreds squeezed together like sardines with tripods, and somehow still managed to get the shot.

The evening was far quieter: back at the guesthouse, sitting on tatami mats, sipping a cold beer, and letting the day (and Fuji) sink in. A perfect end to a perfect Fuji day.Read more