Khristian Snyder – Travel Journal

I wasn’t sure where to head after the Nakasendo Trail but I did notice a window of great weather coming after the late season snow storm. My route back to Tokyo would naturally take me right past Mt Fuji so I made a last minute plan to explore around Fuji for a couple days. I haven’t been up close to Mt Fuji so this was perfect timing.

It was a bit shocking to arrive at Mt Fuji. The train was instantly full of tourists. Of course, I too am a tourist, but it was such a contrast from the last few weeks of exploring some lesser-traveled parts of Japan where I was typically the only foreigner around. As one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains, Mt Fuji is a popular area and a cultural icon so I knew it would be busy, especially with spring arriving and good weather. The mountain was incredible to see up close, looming over the area as Japan’s tallest peak (12,388 feet). The fresh cap of snow reflected a brilliant white, backdropped by deep blue skies.

I spent a lot of time on foot wandering the towns and various viewpoints overlooking the mountain. I spent just one night in a capsule hotel there before continuing on to Tokyo.