An ode to Fuji - Kawaguchiko, Arakurayama, Shojiko

Why is 🗻 Fuji so important? Why does it take such a significant space in the Japanese and world culture?

Maybe because of its shape of a triangle with golden proportions. Maybe because it’s the largest volcano in Japan. Maybe because of its loneliness with no other mountain around.

My guess is: because of the fealings it raises when you see it.

There is something in its appearance that amazed me every time my gaze stumbled upon it, and it never failed to raise this “ooh” sigh and emotion in me. There is something magnificent, calm, peaceful yet fundamental and strong about it.

We all need a bit of Fuji within from times to times.

Kawaguchiko

Kawaguchiko is a small town with beatiful views on Fuji right from its streets and a lake Kawaguchi which gave the town its name. When you arrive at the main station, it meets you with this view already:

The town itself is small, cozy, yet crowded with tourists craving the Fuji views which it has in spades. Apart from those, there are some shrines. The lake itself is not very impressive, but it’s a good place to take a walk and enjoy the views.

The town itself has some shabiness behind its touristy facade. Even the touristy part can surprise you with how not necesserily touristy it is. Finding a place for lunch can be one of the hassles. Many places that you find on the map are closed, some work on Tuesdays but don’t work on Wednesdays and so on.

Some places are abandoned completely. It feels like they are inhabited by yokai, which according to the local beliefes is not necessarily so untrue. You need to be brave to go there during the night time.

Railways is probably another symbol of Japan. And the main means of transportation across the country. They are an integral part of the landscape. Here is a series of shots that combine these two symbols: Fuji and railways.

Time to take one of the local trains and travel just 20 minutes to our next station.

Arakurayama Sengen Park

The Arakurayama Sengen Park is a park located in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. It is best known for its view of Mount Fuji over Lake Kawaguchi and its five-story pagoda.

We were visiting this place during the cherry blossom season. The park is very popular among the locals and tourists, so it was quite crowded. You have to climb a lot of stairs to get to the top of the hill. But the view is worth it.

Special highlight for us was the view of Mount Fuji with the sakura blossoms. Plus the old and elegant pagoda. It was a very special moment.

Shojiko

Shojiko is around 30 minutes by bus from the Kawaguchiko station. There was almost no trace of civilization around our hotel there, only 1 restaurant, and 1 conbini 1 km away from the hotel. We were not quite sure if it was worth it, but the tourist forums promised us the best views on Fuji. Let’s see.

It was totally worth it, was’t it? Wasn’t it? It was! Just look at these shots of the surroundings:

The Shoji Lake Hotel has its own charm. Built in ~70s for the Japanese tourists and business gatherings, it has a very distinct style. On one hand, it feels very old, and even abandoned. There were almost no tourists when we visited, so it felt like a ghost hotel.

On the other hand it was not scary at all, clean, and well maintained. And the open air onsen with Fuji views… is an OPEN AIR ONSEN WITH FUJI VIEWS! We went there when it was already dark outside, so the starry night sky was the background for all that beauty.

I didn’t expect much from the Shojiko part to be honest, and it was one of the highlights of the entire trip.

3 days of Fuji viewing - is it too much or too little? It was enough for now. And definitely an invitation to come and do it again.

📷 Shot on Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II