Thankfully I was able to get on the bus with minimal Japanese communication and in an hour plus I was almost at the Kawaguchi Station. My first glimpse of the mountain was memorable; the definition was outstanding and I could see slopes at the very top of the mountain in sharp relief. We spent that day taking shots and walking around admiring the lake. We rode two gondolas to get views of the mountain and lake from better vantage points and then rode the local bus to a flower garden that had a panaromic view of Mount Fuji across a still lake with murky waters. There was also a quaint cafe with light snacks and tea or coffee. From the terrace seats you could continue to enjoy a view of the mountain, lake and flowers.

That day was unforgettable and certainly all worked out well. Even getting back home was a matter of taking the same bus back to my home station. So convenient!

I figured that I had done the best touring of Mount Fuji and Hakone that way but the future had more to offer. It was autumn; 2021; two years post an epidemic  thay was still massively eroding lifestyles and taking lives. Life seemed to be returning to normal; at least where I was residing that year so I decided to take another trip. For some reason, I was craving a hot spring experience. Ah! I know why! I realise as I write this that it was because my friend and I had visited Ome and stumbled across a hot spring in the middle of our hiking trip through a  forest. Although we were not patrons of the spa, there was a footbath in the public area that seemed open to all so we soaked our feet and chatted for a while.

Later on we lunched at their on-site restaurant and then rested on some outdoor lounge chairs that provided a view of the forest and surrounding natural scenery. I have often heard people talking about heading to the onsen to relax. Up to that point I had been able to imagine that it meant going to the hot spring and soaking for a while but that was it. At this location however, I saw what it truly meant to visit a spa. You came for the day and had an experience that would definitely melt away the stress of daily life.

Date posted :

2022.04.22

Poster :

Hair Monster