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One More Try
So, we had made several attempts just this week, to get close enough to Mount Fuji to get some good photos.

A few days ago on Tuesday, we got pretty close at Fuji City. But some clouds moved in early in the afternoon before we were able to get the photos I was hoping to.

Yesterday, Friday, was by far, the CRAZIEST DAY of the trip. Perfect weather, but a total failure trying to get close to Mt Fuji. We made the best of things, and did actually see Mt Fuji in the clear.

But, it was from Tokyo, 62 miles away.

We are running out of days here. The weather is once again perfect.

We will give it ONE MORE TRY.

Fire Prevention Week (Month in Japan) is here. Posters in the trains promote Firefighters and Safety.

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Getting to Mount Fuji
We finally figured out how to get there. We found our way to a train called the FUJI EXPRESS. Paying extra, it will take us as close as we can get today.

It was an interesting situation. The 12 car train would take us about 3/4 of the way there.
Then, the train would then stop at OTSUKI. Only cars 1, 2, and 3 would continue on to Mt Fuji.
The rest of the train would then go to somewhere else.

The train would de-couple at that stop. You HAD to be on one of those 3 Cars to be on THE FUJI EXPRESS. Fortunately, I had read this earlier, and was in the right car.

Of course this was ALL DONE VERY LAST MINUTE. On a Saturday. All the seats on the train were sold prior. Fortunately, STANDING WAS ALLOWED. It was worth standing for about 2 hours to get to where we wanted to go!

The train was packed. It was difficult to see out the windows, because we were standing, but when we could, there it was! Awesome!
 

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Mount Fuji
We leaned down a few times to look out the window. Mount Fuji is getting close.

The Mt Fuji Express
The train arrived at the end of the line - Kawaguchi - where we got off the train.

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Kawaguchi Station
The end of the line for the Fuji Express was a place called Kawaguchi. A town that felt and looked like it could be a ski resort or something. It is on a lake by the same name.

People arriving here are typically staying a couple days or so. Many brought their luggage and the train station was crazy with all these people trying to get to their hotels and stuff.

I am here for a few hours. I have no idea what the best place to go is. Plus I am hungry.

This woman was from Germany. She spoke English and had been sitting on the floor between some seats the entire train ride. She had plugged her phone into an outlet under a seat, and did the same for me, as I stood near her the entire time.  ARIGATO!

This woman was from the Philippines. She also spoke English very well. Two stops before the last stop at Kawaguchi, some people got off the train, and some seats freed up. She offered me a chance to sit for a few minutes after standing. ARIGATO!

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Mt Fuji Lunch
It was early afternoon. First meal of the day. A combination of Ramon, some meat, some veges, and a bread like thing that looked like Mt Fuji!  I sat at a table in the train station all by myself, looking out the window at Mt Fuji eating my lunch. The feeling of Success!

One of the all time most interesting places to have lunch. Looking out the window at Fuji!

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Scenic Bus
We boarded a Scenic Tour Bus that went around the lake, about 16 stops or so. Once again, packed with people. Some getting on or off at each stop.

I got off the bus one stop short of the end, and was able to walk along there shore of the Lake to finally get those photos I came all the way to do.

Across the lake to Mt Fuji

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Mount Fuji
There are many different flowers and plants here that make a great foreground.

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Mount Fuji
Colorful grasses

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Success
We Made It!

It took a few tries, but this was the goal.

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MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
We made it to Mt Fuji! 

It was not easy. Probably not cheap (but it was in Yen so I don't know).
What a beautiful place. Within range of a mountain (volcano) that has been such an important part of this culture and country forever. I am SO GLAD I did not give up on getting here.
 

Getting Home?
NOW, it was about 3:00 PM. I still have to catch the bus back to the Train Station. About a 45 minute ride. And I start to come to the realization that I have NO IDEA how I am going to get HOME!

NO IDEA! All the energy had gone into getting HERE. And IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT!  
BUT.... How am I getting home?

Back at the Train Station, I check on trains back. ALL SOLD OUT! Hmmmm... That should have been expected, given it was standing room only getting here on a Saturday.... Now what?

There is a counter with a woman attending customers. It looks like they are talking buses.
We hadn't had a lot of success with buses so far. I get in line....

I told her "I would like to get to Yokohama. Today!" 
"Today!?"  She asks. With a look on her face.
"If possible." I respond, cringing a little as I await her answer.
She takes a look in the computer. I am starting to worry.
"I can get you to Yokohama. The bus doesn't leave until 17:10. It will take 2:20 minutes. But is NON STOP." she says.
"Are you saying, I can get on a bus once, and go all the way to Yokohama, today, without having to get off, or anything?  And I can sit in a seat, the whole way?"  I ask.
"Yes." She says. She tells me the price of the ticket. "SOLD!" I say! 

I CAN GET HOME! Ticket in hand. I KNOW how to get to Ikego from Yokohama.
Done that already a few times.

Now, I got about an hour to relax before MY BUS.

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Tempura in Kawaguchi
Just up the street was a Tempura Restaurant.
I have been saying for weeks now, that I wanted to have some more Tempura.
Let's DO IT!  It MUST BE DESTINY!

Awesome!

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Bus Ride to Yokohama
The ride back from Kawaguchi took about 2:30 hours. A very nice, comfortable bus. It rained much of the ride and cooled off quite a bit.

Glad I am not out in the cold, in the rain, lost somewhere.

We got into Yokohama a little before 8:00 PM and got to enjoy some more of Yokohama after dark.

Then to the train and home to Ikego.

Yokohama Station - One of the busiest.

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Home Again
After all the struggles, mishaps, and confusion, I was able to get to Mt Fuji and back to Ikego by 21:30!

ARIGATO!

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