Travel Japan - Day 3

Looking at the weather forecast, I have to change the Mount Fuji to a day early due to inclement weather (cannot see it if it's cloudy/raining).  I decided to take advantage of our jet lag by waking up early and beating the crowd.  According to YouTubers, taking the tour bus was an easy two hour ride without the hassle of dealing with multiple train transfers.  We left the hotel at 5AM, caught the subway to Shinjuku station where the tour would start.  

Shinagawa-ku early in the morning taken with Nikon Z5 and Nikkor 24-120mm Z

Shinjuku Station taken with Leica M10 and 28mm Elmarit-M

Finding the tour bus wasn't a problem, unfortunately, the tickets were sold out till 11:30AM.  Onto Plan B...

I don't remember exactly what we did, but we found the train to Otsuki Station, and from there, took the Fuji-Kyuko line to Lake Kawaguchiko.  Made to Kawaguchiko Station around 11AM ish.

Kawaguchiko Station taken with Nikon Z5 and Nikkor 24-120mm Z

We grabbed lunch at a small restaurant called Cafe Gen that just opened for the day just a little ways across the street.  Avoided the long wait and the hostess was friendly and welcoming.  Our food was  heart-warming tasty and delicious.  Rice was soft but not mushy, and the curry was full of beef flavor without being salty.

Yamanashi Beef Curry Rice taken with iPhone 14 Max Pro

We took the bus to the northeast side of the lake where cherry blossom trees lined along the shores. 

The sakura blossoms just started to bloom near the lake shore.  We took the bus back to the station and took the train to Shimoyoshida station.  The trail to Chureito leads from there.

Climb to Chureito Pagoda taken with Nikon Z5 and Nikkor 24-120mm Z

Gentler climb section to the pagoda, taken with Nikon Z5 and Nikkor 24-120mm Z

Chureito Pagoda taken with Nikon Z5 and Nikkor 24-120mm Z

Each 50-person group were allowed on the scenic platform at a time

Mount Fuji at Chureito while waiting in line, taken with Nikon Z5 and 24-120mm Z

Chureito Pagoda with Mt Fuji from the scenic platform taken with iPhone 14 Pro Max

Descent from Chureito taken with Leica M10 and 28mm Elmarit-M

Waiting for train on our way back to hotel, taken with Leica M10 and 28mm Elmarit-M

Reflections off of subway, nightscape taken with Leica M10 and 28mm Elmarit-M

We stopped by a vending machine ramen place for late dinner.  Nothing to rave about, at least we got some food in.