LAKE KAWAGUCHI – not so shy

Thursday – after a very comfortable sleep in my rearranged bed, I am awake around 6am and immediately head to the wide windows on my verandah to see if I do actually have a view of Fuji San or will it be the customary Clarke view of the carpark.

Well – it is still a bit dark but a little while later when the sun starts to wake up this is it.  Yep – they kept their word even though he is still covered in some misty clouds.  I am sure they will burn away further into the morning.  I am sitting just looking and wondering and then realise that I haven’t taken any photos – a mad rush is made to get batteries off the charger and into the camera before Fuji San changes his mind – but no he is the perfect gentleman and stays on show until it’s time for breakfast.  It’s great just to sit and look and relax.

After breakfast – more photos from the room – this is a much better photo for you – as you can see he is going to be on his best behaviour today.  It is now time to investigate the grounds and the wonderful Autumn colours.

Above right is our hotel.  What a lovely place to stay – so very quiet and the colours of the trees in the grounds are amazing.

Spoiler alert – the colours are only going to get more vibrant and more breath taking.

Today we are heading to the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi which is the lake in front of Mt Fuji and part of the 5 Lake System.  We will visit the Maples Corridor and gasp at the brilliant red leaves, take loads of photos of Mt Fuji and in general – just wander around .  Are you ready? OK let’s go.

One of the most popular spots to see red leaves in Japan is the Maple Corridor or “Momiji Kairou”.

Momiji means red leaves and a “Momiji Matsuri” festival is held every year from the end of October to mid November with road stalls and night illumination.  We are in luck because the road festival is on today!  A little bit of wandering and investigation of the intriguing stalls is surely on the cards.

Time for the main attraction – Mt Fuji.  The day is hot – the sky is blue – and there he is in all his splendour!  Yep, luck is on our side today.  I go in search of the typically touristy photo – Mt Fuji with Autumn leaves.  I don’t care if it is touristy – it is the quintessential photo of Fuji San in Autumn.

He is certainly co-operating with us.  What a wonderful viewing place – there is a walkway around the lake and seats under the trees so that you can sit in the peace and quiet and relax.  Time to head back towards the Maples Corridor as we have to meet up at the top. Here is some more mind blowing colour. The Maple Corridor is below right.

At the top of the climb back through the Corridor, I discover a wonderful secluded temple right at the top of the hill.  It is very refreshing to sit in the shade and listen to the water running over the rocks.

I do not remember if it was a temple or a shrine nor what it’s purpose was – suffice to say its purpose today was to let me sit and enjoy my surrounds – take a photo or ten – and just be at one with nature for a little while.

After becoming refreshed once again we meet with RL who tells us that our place for lunch is back down the hill.  Great!  At least it is easier walking down than walking up.

There is a restaurant on the lake – Cafe Mimi – pricing is a bit high but it is such a nice place so we choose a nice shaded spot and order.  None of us are really all that hungry – I just order some fruit and ice cream and it was delicious.  From where we sat you could not get a really clear view of Fuji San – we also made mention that maybe they could trim the trees.  Shock Horror!  These are Cherry Blossom trees and are part of the photo frenzy when the blossoms are in bloom.  OK – calm down.

Well, so much for cooler weather in Autumn – it is turning out to be Summer hot!  After lunch we now have to head for the bus stop that will take us back towards home.

This is a touristy hop on – hop off bus and by the time it gets to us it always seems packed. Nevermind RL has a plan.  We cross the road and get on one bus that takes us to the beginning of the line and then we get on the bus that will bring us back this way take us where we want to go. Ingenious!  So many people enjoying the weather and the markets.  Speaking of which I did manage to suss out what was on offer and ended up with some candied orange slices which were delicious. The wonderful lady also gave me some peanuts!

We are doing a sunset shoot tonight and the hours are getting by and the taxi driver of both groups seems to have got lost.  We arrive at our photo spot right at sunset and we are too late.  There are no glorious sunset colours but no matter, we still get some good shots.

The colours of the darkening sky, the moon and the lights of the cars give the photos just that extra bit of oomph! Well, I think so anyway.  One member of our group is not impressed and doesn’t take a single photo.  He just lurks in the darkness.

When we have taken enough photos (do you really ever take enough?) we go back towards town for dinner.  The photo does not do it justice – it looks rather sad but it really did taste good.  Steak with garlic gravy, prawns and hot chips.

You can never go wrong when hot chippies are involved.

Tomorrow we are up early for a sunrise shoot of Mt Fuji – Hopefully it will be worth the effort.