Day 18 6/10/2014

The typhoon hit land overnight and dispersed but not before battering Tokyo.  We headed off to the station to find the line to Kofu closed.  The language barrier was a bit of a challenge but we assumed the closure was probably due to power problems or landslides and decided to wait around to see if it reopened.  Luckily it did we were left Tokyo only 30 mins delayed which wasn't bad considering the weather.  In fact by the time we left the rain had stopped and the sun was out shining.  We changed train at Otsuki and got the local line to Kawaguchiko in the Fuji Five Lakes area and overlooking Mt Fuji.  The journey was very surreal travelling on a Thomas the tank engine train (although no Fat Controller in sight - in fact we haven't seen many overweight people in China or Japan).  The hotel shuttle bus was waiting at the station and we were there in less than 10 mins.  The hotel and our room on the top floor, has a fantastic view, overlooking Lake Kawaguchiko and with spectacular views of Mt Fuji which was out in all its glory.  Walking up it was to good an opportunity to miss and we headed off to find out how we could get to the middle station and buy provisions. The climbing season closes in Japan on 31 August and Fuji closed on the 15th September.  The local bus still runs to the middle station but doesn't leave until 9.30am and the last return is 3.30pm and is primarily shipping tourists in and off.  So the only option was taxi which we arranged via the very helpful lady at the hotel and also submitted our climbing form to the local park authority which despite the mountain being officially closed they were happy to take.  We ate in the hotel that evening and had a wonderful beef sukiyaki and pork shabu-shabu.  Both are traditional Japanese meals which you basically cook yourself from the prepared ingredients.  Luckily for us the very helpful lady from reception helped to get us started.  All in all a fantastic evening and wonderful way to spend our anniversary.  Off to bed early dreaming of mountains!