day 7 - mount fuji

day 7 (fri): shinjuku(新宿) --> mount fuji

started the day extremely late today. the view from the window indicates a clear day, but it could probably be an illusion. was actually toying with the idea of postponing the trip to fuji, however reports from the weather forecast seemed to indicate otherwise. and so the trip continues, albeit late!

headed to east shinjuku for lunch. was walking around and saw a poster with this word: 食べ放題　（eat all you can）for around 1400 yen, or sgd20 (tax-inclusive). immediately we decided on lunching there. i simply love their buffet concept: drinks and desserts included!!

the buffet lunch

thereafter we purchased the train tickets to mount fuji. we got lost in the numerous platforms and at the end of the day managed to find it. took the train to otsuki, but along the way, we had to switch another train.

it was during the train switch that i realized tokyo's train efficiency does not extend to the countryside. the next train was a 30 minutes wait in the cold!! once on board the train, it was heaven! cushion seats, leg warmers provided below the seats, and the train doors do not open when no one is alighting or boarding to preserve warmth.

we switched to the fujikyu line and along the way, snow started falling. shit!! by the time we reached the kawaguchiko station, it felt like christmas! tried to claim the ticket for the retro-bus rides, but was told they had stopped operating. part of the reason given was we were too late! crap! what a waste of my money.

sakura tree outside the train


view of the mountains from a stationary train


temperature around -1 deg

another sakura tree in kawaguchiko

snow snow snow... went over to the other side of the station and managed to get some souvenirs for office and some exotic-tasting kit-kats for my friend. explored the area. due to the snow, mount fuji was completely not visible. depressed! felt like a dumbass wasting money for nothing.

snow, snow snow...

left: the curry soba
right: the kit-kat (strawberry cheese cake, wasabi and blueberry flavored)

honestly speaking, i prefer snowing to raining. it was way less messier and the sight of falling snow makes the environment surreal. went to try a small family shop to try some curry soba and sake to preserve warmth.

as night falls, we returned to shinjuku. lo and behold, now the damn beanies are starting to make their appearance again!! nvm... had some krispy kreme for dessert and concluded this depressing day.