Sam and I set off round one of the Fuji Five Lakes (F5L) by bicycle; our hostel host had some available for us to use for free, and we happily took him up in the offer! We did a circuit of the largest lake, Kawaguchiko, whilst doing a few things along the way.
Our first stop was a nearby cable car (I know, not another one) to get a better view of Mt. Fuji; we couldn’t climb it as that is only possible between July-August, but upon seeing it in the flesh part of me was slightly relieved! Not only is it bloody big, but it’s long with it; it’s hard to tell where the mountain begins and the land ends. I had certainly underestimated how tough it would be, but if I ever come back this way I will be doing it. I think its shallow slopes make it prettier than your average mountain, too.
We carried on around the lake taking in yet more unbelievably pretty scenes, stopping every so often for a few snaps. The roads were so smooth and flat that it made the route a breeze, even with a bike that had no gears. It was a blissful journey, and I’m sure the other four lakes are just as enjoyable (something else for next time).
We completed our lap in about 3 hours (+1 for the cable car), then carried on back around to the bus station to catch a shuttle to a hot spring spa called Yurari; this time we had company, as it is evidently a popular spot, but it didn’t stop me enjoying it. Normally you can see Mt. Fuji directly in front of you, but the clouds put paid to that. We spent a couple of hours relaxing before heading back to our hostel.
For dinner, we went back to yesterday’s restaurant; the nice man remembered us and greeted us warmly. There were four Japanese women sitting at the main table, each armed with a tiny ‘dog’ on their lap or in their arms; I imagined dropping them into a whack-a-mole game and going to town...
Sam and I both liked the idea of a paella-for-two, but couldn’t decide on which one; I fancied the meaty one and Sam the seafood. To decide we played rock-paper-scissors, and I won (which I tend to do), but Sam then tried suggesting a mix of the two; I wasn’t convinced, and nor was our friendly neighbourhood server-man, so in the end we ended up getting the seafood paella! I’m still not sure how Sam did it (Jedi mind-trick is a distinct possibility), and it was delicious...but that’s not the point!
We ate our paella (complete with a whole crab perched on top) while we had some deep conversation, and then strolled back to the hostel. The owner was sitting outside by a fire and we decided to join him for a while; his name is Daichi, and he lived in NZ for a year or so to improve his English. He has never been to the UK, but weirdly has a hankering for Scottish whisky - much like the last Daichi I met! A Russian girl joined us for a while too, and she had the temerity to describe the UK’s climate as terrible! Plus she lives in New York now, so I thought that was cheeky to say the least. It may be true...but that’s not the point!
