Fuji-san

Inch by inch
little snail
creep up Mt. Fuji
-Issa

Chad, our friend Yasu and I climbed the Fujinomiya route on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, last Sunday. The photo above was taken as we were driving up to level 5. At this time, we were still in awe of the mountain's majesty and sacredness. Despite these initial feelings, it didn't take much climbing for our focus to shift from one of reverence, to one of rethinking our bright idea of climbing a 3,776 meter high mountain. It was a tough, tough hike.


Level 5

We started our ascent around 10:40 in the morning. This was a rather late start, but we heard we should try to acclimate to the altitude for a while before beginning (we were on level 5 for quite some time before starting). The hike from level 5 to 6 is quite deceiving--it is relatively easy and quick. Once you pass level 6, however, you're in for the real challenge.

Since we decided to go on our journey in September, all bathrooms and restaurants above level 6 were closed. The main climbing season is from July to the end of August, so we had to endure this trek without using...well...legal facilities. It is technically illegal to climb past level 6 this time of year, too, but many Japanese hiked regardless (why shouldn't we?). Many of our fellow hikers told us they always wait until September to climb because the weather is perfect and there are less people.

As for the weather, the other hikers couldn't have been more right: it was beautiful. Michigan winters are much colder than the weather that greeted us on Mount Fuji. When we were moving, we only wore long sleeves; when we rested we wore sweaters.

After about 4 1/2 hours, all three of us were ready to be done climbing. But alas, we were only at level 9.5! No matter how tired we were after the slow and steady slog up, you can bet that our physical fatigue wasn't going to stop us from getting to level 10!

...However, lack of daylight was.

When we got to level 9.5, we could see the top of Fuji--only a 30 to 35 minute hike away. It was 3:00. No matter our determination, physical ability, or lack of being affected by altitude, we had to turn around or we'd be descending the mountain in the dark. I cannot explain what an awful feeling it is to see the goal you've been working toward for 4 1/2 long hours so close, and then be forced to turn around and go back to where you started. And it wasn't just a matter of turning around and going back--it was a gruelling, stressful descent, watching every step and trying not to slip on the loose gravel. Three hours and ten minutes later, with darkness enshrouding us, we made it back to level 5.

The top of the mountain as seen from level 9.5--crystal clear.

It was so bright!

I wish I could say we made all kinds of self-discoveries and learned all kinds of life lessons, but the main thing I found on this trip is that I am no mountain climber. Despite this, I can honestly say that overall the experience was amazing. And we are planning on going next year and doing the whole crazy adventure again--this time watching the sunrise, and this time going to the top. I recently read a saying: "If you never climb Mt. Fuji once you are a fool, if you climb it more than once you are twice the fool." When we really stop and think about our plans, this saying makes a lot of sense, but we're still determined as ever to fulfill our goal of getting to the very top. And we will.

On the way down...

~

Happy 25th Birthday to Chad!

The Friday before Chad's birthday, some of his friends threw a surprise party for him. The party was held at a "Western" style bar in Tsu, and we had a lot of fun.

Don't know how much can really be said about that sign...

Takahiro is holding one of my favorite Japanese foods: takoyaki (octopus balls). This particular tray of takoyaki has a special surprise: one ball has a very strong spicy and not-so-good flavor. None of us aside from Takahiro knew about it, so Chad and I felt lucky not to be the ones in for the surprise (our friend Yasu got it!).


Chad ate this sucker, head and all.

Some kind of salad with chow mien noodles.

The restaurant gives all parties a one dollar bill that everyone is supposed to sign. Usually the bar keeps the bill and hangs it on the wall, but Chad got to keep ours.

Chad's complimentary birthday dessert....

and ours:

Emiko held the dessert near her head to give a sense of the sheer size and glory of it.

Present time!

On Chad's actual birthday, we slept in and then had blueberry pancakes (blueberries are a rare treat here as they're very expensive). Can't say how great the blueberries ended up tasting, but it's the thought, right? At the very least, we had some delicious Eno Maple Syrup to eat on them ;-)

After some deliberation, we decided to go to Toba aquarium. We hopped on a train and enjoyed beautiful scenery on the way:

When we got there, we enjoyed our obentou, or Japanese lunch boxes. This was my first attempt at making obentou, and they turned out pretty delicious (albeit a little smushed!).

The view from where we ate lunch.

After lunch we headed to the aquarium and saw some really amazing creatures. We had a really nice time.

Biggest. Crab. Ever.

It's lookin' at YOU!

Apparently one shouldn't get too close to the pelicans or storks.

I had never seen a seahorse before. The seahorses in Toba Aquarium were the length of my forearm! So cool!

Deep thoughts...

Craziest thing ever: a petting zoo for octopus! They are surprisingly soft, but the moment you touch them their tentacles move all of the place. One of the suctions on the tentacles caught hold of my finger and sucked! Ahh! Overall it was pretty cool, but I decided the octopuses must have stressful lives being exposed to curious people touching them all day.

After the aquarium, we decided to have a couple of local beers while we waited for the train. We went back to the ocean side and swung our legs over the side of a big wall. Chad said, "Be careful not to lose your sandal down there." After saying okay in a way like, "Oh, if you say so...." I swung my legs over and then...my flip-flop fell into the water. The wall was so high, there was no way Chad could jump in and get it--he wouldn't be able to get back up. On top of that, there were tons of jelly fish floating around. To say the least, I got even more looks than usual when riding the train home. ("Wow! There's a foreigner! Wow! She's not wearing any shoes!)


Our beers.

My sandal floating down the river.

When we got back to Yokkaichi, we had yakiniku, or Korean-style barbeque, for dinner. More on yakiniku later, but pictures are below:

The grill in the middle of our table.

After our fill of dinner, we headed home for Chad's birthday cake.

Happy Birthday, handsome!

I hope Chad had a nice day. He mostly went on and on about what and old man he is now ;-) We miss you all very much and wish you could have been here to celebrate with us.

Next post: Mount Fuji!