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An Early Start
The weather had gone from those hot and humid days, to a little more comfortable, low humidity with clear skies. Having had a lot of success, checking off almost all the Fireboats on the list, it was time to tackle another adventure.

Papa woke early, and headed out to go photograph Mount Fuji. A walk from the Zushi (KK-53) train station across town to the JR Line went by a previously missed fire station (Shobo dan).

The journey by train took us towards Fuji City.

We got off the train before reaching Fuji City, with hopes of getting a good look at Mt Fuji.

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Yoshiwara Fire Station
Close to the Yoshiwara train station is this Fire Station.

The Platform
A short walk from the train station, we found this platform. Lets check it out!

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Viewing Mount Fuji
We climbed the platform, and there it was! Mount Fuji! A good view over the top of the trees, with the train station in the foreground. Not too many clouds. Nice!

Mount Fuji is the tallest point in Japan at 3,776m (about 12,389 ft). It was once a volcano, last erupting around 1708. Much of the year, it is snow capped. Fuji is about 62 miles south of Tokyo and is visible, on good days, from great distances. It is often covered by clouds, having its own weather conditions, that make getting good photos sometimes difficult.

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Fuji City
We got back on a train, and continued on to Fuji City. Some great views of Mt Fuji.

A Fuji City Fire Station.

Fire Hydrant cover. Fuji City.

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Fuji Clouds
As the afternoon progressed, more clouds developed and Mt Fuji started to disappear.

We took the train back, feeling pretty good about the chance to have seen Fuji.

GOOD NIGHT MT FUJI!

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Atami
On the way back from Mt Fuji, there was a train change and opportunity to explore the City of Atami near the station. An interesting place.

END OF DAY 29 - OCT 3, 2023

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DAY 30 - (Page 21)
Wednesday - October 4, 2023 - (Tue Oct 3 Home Time)
  [  ] At IKEGO - Wet out, expected to rain
  [  ] Papa on own - Train into TOKYO - Brought Umbrella & Gift Bag
  [  ] Scheduled: 13:25 TOUR OF TOKYO FIRE HEADQUARTERS (MARUNOUCHI Station)
        Met with LT MISA & Asst SGT KATO - FF TAKA - For Tour - Exchanged Gifts, Photos
  [  ] Walked a lot - Around Imperial Palace - To Another Station
  [  ] Train - Back to Ikego
  [  ] NIGHT - IKEGO
 

Tokyo Headquarters Tour
We had reached out to the Tokyo Fire Department before traveling to Japan. A Tour of the Tokyo Headquarters Fire Station at Marunouchi was planned in advance.

I was to meet up with Lt Misa Tokunaga at 13:30 on October 4, 2023.
Headquarters is a large, white structure next to the fire station.

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Tokyo Fire Dept
Overview.

On the wall in the Lobby of the Tokyo Fire Headquarters is a huge map of all the Tokyo Fire Companies and ambulances. Flashing lights show which units are operating. It was a busy map.

Tokyo is probably the largest Fire Department in the world. It covers approximately 1,770 Km Sq or about 683 Square miles. Much of the area to the east is very concentrated city, while to the west it is much more rural and mountainous. The City population is approximately 14 Million, with a much larger Metropolitan area population.

The 1-1-9 Number for emergencies, and dispatch, is handled by (2) dispatch centers. One center city, and the other to the west.

Tokyo includes 23 Wards (sub-cities, comparable to Boroughs). These are protected by 10 Fire Districts. Each of the Fire Districts has a headquarters, and a number of Fire Stations. There are pproximately 91 (main) Fire Stations. Each station having an assortment of apparatus, command personnel, and special units.

Tokyo Fire Department has more than 18,000 personnel.

In addition, there are over 200 smaller, volunteer type Fire Stations with reserve equipment for disasters, such as Earthquakes.

The apparatus listed is over 2,009 vehicles, including approx 489 Engines, 86 Ladders, 48 Foam units, 29 Rescues, 4 Water Rescue Trucks, 9 Fireboats, 8 Helicopters, 271 Ambulances, and a wide assortment of support vehicles.

Apparatus is well staffed. A reported fire would get approximately 9 apparatus with about 38 personnel. Stats show about 7,300 fires in 2021. EMS Calls, with ambulance and fire apparatus response appox 136,000.

I was greeted at HQ and walked next door to the Marumouchi Fire Station for a tour.

My communications with Tokyo FD prior to going over were with Lt Misa Tokunaga.
She works at HQ in the International Affairs Branch. She set up the tour. ARIGATO!

I was also greeted at the Tokyo HQ by Hikaru Kato. He is an Assistant Fire Sergeant with the International Affairs Branch. ARIGATO!

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Marunouchi Fire Station
Next to the Tokyo Headquarters. The station has (1) Ambulance, (2) pumpers, a command car, a Heavy Rescue, and a Ladder Truck.

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Tokyo FD Welcoming
My tour of the Marunouchi Fire Station began with a welcoming and introductions.

The Lieutenant of the Engine presented me with a welcoming package containing a nice TFD T-shirt, some information about Tokyo FD in English, and a few other items. ARIGATO!

I came prepared as well, and presented the LT with a white T-Shirt from the COMM FD.

Firefighter Taka was presented a blue COMM FD T-shirt. It might be a little large on him.

I showed them the Cape Cod Firefighting book I had written in 2003 and presented them an autographed copy for the firehouse.

Thanks to Chief Winn, COMM FD, for also providing some department uniform patches, current and past. A number of them were exchanged or presented to departments in the visit.

The sticker in my hand represents "Be careful with fire."

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Station Tour
This Firefighter is Taka. He is assigned to the Marunouchi Fire Station and speaks English well enough to explain things to me as he showed my around the apparatus. ARIGATO!

I wore one of my old Centerville-Osterville Local 2346 shirts for the visit.

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Surprise. Even in Japan, it's an ambulance call.

The white Headquarters building with the antenna is located across from the Imperial Palace compound.

END OF DAY 30 - OCT 4, 2023

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