Not a sunny day. No rain fortunately.
I arrived at Sengentaisha shrine in Fujinomiya to join the party of Mt. Fuji Climbing. Actually, that was my first time. Our members were： 3 from Shizuoka Prefecture, 5 from Hokuriku Broadcast in Ishikawa Prefecture (they came to Shizuoka to report Mt. Fuji and other sightseeing spots around for TV and Radio ) and me, 9 in total.

According to our tradition, we prayed for our safety in Sengentaisha shrine. I was so nervous with many horrible stories in my head. Imagine you are in the cloud and see lightning just in front of you with roaring and shattering sounds in the freezing air, or maybe you are alone in the complete darkness listening to the sound of silence. Newspapers may say on the front page “the missing man was found unconscious in the mountain next to Mt. Fuji”. You may laugh for the coward but everything could happen ! ! What I’ve meant is you can’t be too careful when you challenge Mt. Fuji. Just mark my words for it ! 〆(・ω・o)
After having prayed for our safety, we walked to “Wakutama-ike”. This is a pond that has been made from the underground water of snow from Mt. Fuji and people used to bathe in it to purify themselves before climbing Mt. Fuji. Nowadays, the pond has become a heaven for trout !

Now, here we go ! （＾＾）／
It took about 1 hour by bus to the fifth point of Fujinomiya Trail, the point of the height 2400m. Remember ? We have 3 choices to the Fifth station in Shizuoka. Fujinomiya, Gotemba and Subashiri. We chose Fujinomiya route because it is said to be the easiest trail to the top. By the way, though each route has fifth station, its height is all different from others. In this case, “Fifth” doesn’t mean the midway point. It’s nothing but an indication for climbers. The fifth on Fujinomiya is located at the highest point of that on other routes.

Anyway, we arrived at the fifth. Now, what’s in my backpack ? A set of raincoat, jackets, sweaters, T-shirts, socks, head-light, a 2L bottle of water and 500ml bottle, chocolates, candies, salty snacks and the like. Be sure to wear a cap and sunscreen. An alpenstock would be a great help for you. At the fifth, please be advised to take more-than-one-hour rest to get your body acclimated to the air pressure.

After a short filming and shooting, around 14:00, we finally stepped the first step. In a state of elation at first, soon we, actually I got out of breath. I walked next to last so that they didn’t lose me. Thanks god, after around 30 minutes, the 6th ( 2490m ) came into my sight. 90m in height is by no means easy to walk up. Oh, and maybe I’ve got to inform you that the higher you climb up, the higher the price of water, chocolates and candies become. And to use the washroom, it costs ¥200. After sufficient break at the sixth, we headed for the new 7th station of the point 2780m.

We walked in the dense fog. Better than to walk in direct sunlight. The air was getting thinner. Encouraged and invigorated, I had treaded the trail, for more than 1 hour, until finally I got to the 7th. 380m from the fifth. 1000m still left. We needed to hurry to the 9th station by the time of sunset.
Actually, I was almost dead. My legs didn’t want to take an even small step. Looking up to the top, I felt myself dazed. Am I really able to get to the top ?

To be continued. 〆(・Å・｀ｏ）ノ〜〜

Mt. Fuji Climbing from Fujinomiya Trail
To the Fifth by bus
From JR Shin-Fuji Station, Fuji Station, Fujinomiya Station, Mishima Station
¥3,000 for round trip / adults ¥1,500 for / children
Required time ： 6 hours to climb up / 3 hours to climb down

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English website for sightseeing, always with you ! ＾＾

Rain again. So hard that I could hardly see ahead of myself.
On July 9th, I went to Fukuroi to see the unique festival “Bantousai”.
In Fukuroi, there is a very famous temple “Hattasan Son-eiji Temple” and Bantousai is held on July 9th and 10th every year. It is said visiting Hattasan on these day is worth a blessing of 46,000 days. Bantousai, literally translated, means a festival with ten thousand lanterns.

From JR Fukuroi Station, I took a bus bound for Hattasan at #2 and about 15 minute ride took me the final stop “Hattasan”. Gift shops and restaurants are standing along the pathway. I went through it to the historically famous deva gate “Nio-mon”. This gate, built in 1640, was designated as national important cultural properties in 1954.

Walking up for about 5 or 10 minutes took me a weird place. See the guardian with fires on his back and a dragon on the sword. No explanation around. I just took some pictures for this report.＾＾

Now, way to go ! The final stairs to the Temple, though too many for my physical vigor.＾＾； I took steps, one by one, to see the main hall of Hattasan Son-eiji Temple. Lanterns were already prepared but few visitors were seen. Rain still hard. I worried very much if these were really going to be lit.

At 18:00. A miracle happened. The rain had stopped just before monks came out to open the ceremony. Can you believe that ? Wet to the skin, I gazed at the monks, wondering what kind of power they had used. They chanted for a while. Lanterns lit one by one until finally the grounds were covered with hundreds of solemn lights. I entered the temple, listening to the monks and prayed to win a lottery……oh, no……a piece of the world.

On my way back to the bus stop, I found a very famous stick of dumplings, “Yakuyoke-Dango”. Looks good ? Yes, it was ! ! I took two of them there with green tea and bought 2 boxes for my family. On the monthly festival day, they serve special green-tea flavored dumpling that even local people can not obtain if not hurried. In August, the festival day comes on 24th. Why don’t you go for it ?

Have a good summer day !

Hattasan Son-eiji Temple 　※Information as of July, 2010
From JR Fukuroi Station　→　Bus #2 for “Hattasan” 15 minutes for ¥280
Admission ： Free

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English website for sightseeing, always with you ! ＾＾

August is very special for us Japanese. Maybe this is the month we have events and festivals most. But why in August ? Ever think of that ? Aside from the seasonal reason, I guess “Bon” is one of the reasons for that.
“Bon” is our traditional Buddhist event to commemorate the ancestral spirits. Also believed these spirits return to their families during “Bon”, from August 13 – 16th. We used to dance a characteristic dance around the main stage to the peculiar music wearing summer cotton kimono “Yukata”, that’s we say, “Bon-Odori”. You can watch it in all over Shizuoka, even in small Shinto Shrines or local parks during Bon period.
Now, let me introduce some events in August.

(74KB)

The largest fireworks Festival in Shizuoka is the one in Fukuroi. Actually, one of the largest in Japan. Last time, around 450,000 visitors flocked together in this Festival and more than 20,000 fireworks are expected this year. Other fireworks festival is in PDF. In case you are in need of further information, leave your message in this article.

Enjoy your Summer !

Popo-chan

Now, let me show you things in the Glasshouse !
First, you will get surprised to be welcomed by owls out of the cage. Here, let me introduce the most famous owl, I believe, in Japan ! Here comes Popo-chan !! Looks large ? No, he is very tiny. You will see if you put him on your hand.＾＾ What attracts us about him is his transformation act. Though he looks fluffy as a cotton ball, once he gets cautious about something, he shrinks himself to become just like a wooden stick. Various TVs and magazines featured Popo-chan many times and now we can’t talk Kachoen without him. If you are lucky enough, you may see him becoming like a stick.＾＾
Please enjoy some pictures before I open the next door.

Next room would remind you of the paradise of tropical islands. Small birds, actually quite big for a bird, flies to and fro, looking for someone to feed them. A pair of bird caught my eyes. I wondered if they had been married as they never stopped cuddling each other.

This Glasshouse is divided into four rooms, excluding the Buffet, and this room is the largest with 3 artificial pools, full of Water Lilies and other unique plants. You can find tiny and beautiful tropical fishes in the water. I could show you all of them through pictures but maybe I should leave most of them for your pleasure for the time you come. ＾＾ｖ

Koba-chan,

Opening the next door, actually in the third room, I was welcomed by a large peacock proudly on the highest position and my favorite parrot, “Cacatua sulphurea” !. He likes to be caressed. When I walked to him, he stepped down from the perch and hopped to me to rub his cheek against the cage as if saying “Play with me !”. Of cause I did. So adorable that I almost took him away.＾＾；

The last room is “Waterfowl Handling Zone”. Water birds such as flamingos and toucans live naturally with other birds. I wonder, though birds can exist together, why we human beings can’t accept each other. This is the very thing that a staff for my interview told me.

She said:
Our policy is the “life”. Not only we people but flowers, animals including birds and even the disabled have equal rights to live equally in this world. We think much of this fact and try to accept customers from schools for disabled children, hospitals or nursing homes. As Kachoen is designed almost barrier-free, even a man on the wheel-chair or even on the gurney can enjoy here very much. Remember ? If you are on the stretcher bed and have to keep your face up, what can you see ? Yes, the endless flowers ! Not the ceiling. We can serve nutritionally balanced chopped and shredded meal for patients. Liquid meal is also available for the prior requesting. In the first-aid room, you can change diapers for a senior.
You know, flowers enable us to see all people with warm eyes.

I was very impressed. At the same time, very proud of her living in the same world.
When you visit Kakegawa Kachoen, please enjoy not only flowers and birds but also the concept and feeling of all staffs working there.
By the way, their guidebook includes English description. Be sure to get it before passing through the main gate.＾＾

Good days !＾＾

Kakegawa Kachoen
Access
From JR Kakegawa Station ： 10 minutes on foot (or 2 minutes by taxi)
Admission ： ¥1,050／adults, ¥525／Children under 12
Opened ： Every day from 9:00 – 17:00 ( Please enter by 16:30 )

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English website for sightseeing, always with you ! ＾＾