Japan Day4

Today is fairly interesting.

A special ride is arranged for the Shinkansen (Bullet Train).

Our coach driver drove us to the train station. He then drove off to the next station to pick us later.

Our bullet train ride is only for 1 station, which takes us about 10-12 minutes to the next station.

The coach would need about 1 hour to reach the next station to pick us up.

The time wasted would be in gathering the group of 40 people, getting the tickets, waiting for the train. Not every train arrived at the station is suitable. Some are express train which does not stop at all stations, so have to wait for the correct train to arrive before boarding.

The driver was not very late. He arrived not too far from the time we reached the next station. Not so bad.

Next, it's time to head for Mount Fuji, Japan's most sacred mountain. First we reach the foot of the mountain to take lunch, and a little shopping before we move upwards to the 5th level of the mountain.

The weather that day was a little cold, and as we ascend up the mountain, the fog came. Visibility was greatly reduced, and the sign said the highest level that should be allowed is 2nd level. Awwww ...

As we moved up towards 2nd level, an auntie sneezed so loud that the fog just had to give way !!!

Woah! woah!

The weather cleared up! Visibility returns to almost perfect condition. The driver is then able to make all the way up to the 5th level! Amazing huh?!?!? :P

The view at 5th level. Awesome! Simply awesome!

Here's a glimpse of the mountain.

And wow, it's cold. Really cold when the wind comes. Just have to run into the shopping area when it is cold. hehehe

Where else can you hide?

Then it's way back down again to the foot of the mountain, where our hotel is.

We were asked to dressed in Yukata, Japanese traditional clothings. Wearing that for dinner! Kinda clumpsy wearing that, but kinda cute to see the whole group of 40 over people wearing similar things.

Some of us had special side orders for shashimi boat! It's very expensive at about 11,000 yen!

Worth it? Hmmm. Not so bad. Very fresh, very yummy. Ate until stomach wanna explode!

After dinner, most of the ladies wernt for the onseh (hot steam bath), where you HAVE TO BE naked in order to soak in the steam bath. I think none of the guys went (separate place of course). Guess it's more of a womanly thing to do, or the guys are simply not interested, like myself. Anyway, I was starting to feel sick already, throat was not feeling well at all.

Karinna came back and was joking about being in birthday suit with so many people around. Should be pretty hilarious for first timers.