After a night of very strong gales we were concerned as to whether it would be safe to venture out without knowing the progress of typhoon Cimaron – everything is in Japanese and no English channels on TV so reliant on the internet.
Once we decide that it seems to have passed over we decide on a journey to see Fuji and some of The Fuji Five Lake (富士五湖, Fujigoko) region which lies at the northern base of Mount Fuji about 1000 meters above sea level around the lakes Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako, Shojiko and Motosuko.
We catch the bus from Gora to Gotemba – a very winding steep road through some very small settlements and beautiful fir forest and vegetation. As we climb in altitude it all becomes foggy and we realise that we have our head up in the clouds – (eat that one Bernard Fanning!)
We’re on the road to nowhere
From Gotemba a bus to Mt Fuji Station (we wonder if we will ever get there then a train to Kawaguchiko station and then the green line sightseeing bus around Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Saiko getting off at Saiko Iyashi no Sato, (いやしの里) an old Japanese reconstructed village with thatched houses that stands on the site of a former farming village on the western shores of Lake Saiko. – everything taking longer than we anticipate due to Saturday traffic and construction delays. Interesting that on a sightseeing bus the person at the window seat has full control of the curtains so if the heat/glare is too much well your chances of sightseeing are well arh.. dashed!
The village was destroyed by a landslide during a typhoon in 1966. Forty years later the village’s traditional thatched roofed houses were reconstructed and reopened as an open air museum and traditional craft village where people can learn about the culture, try their hand at crafts and there are lots of arts and crafts for sale.
The village is beautiful and a wonderful reconstruction – it is a great testament to Japan that craftsmen are so valued and esteemed and that the opportunity is given to support these persons livelihoods. Also of interest is how in each craft facility we visit there are readily available classes and this includes children without all the hysteria of concern that someone might hurt themselves.
A slight misreading of the bus timetable sees us walking down the exit road as our bus pulls in and rapidly exits! Consequently it takes nearly 4 hours to get back to Gora and at times we are concerned that we may have to find a taxi – but we arrive at Gotemba outlet with 5 minutes to spare. We decide to go the full hog and microwave bacon and poached eggs and FRESH tomatoes and salad for dinner. Life is sweet.
