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Mt Fuji & Around Tokyo

Why Go? Mt Fuji...... 147 With ancient sanctuaries, hot springs, mountains and Fuji Five Lakes ...... 153 beaches, the region surrounding Tokyo is a natural foil for the dizzying capital. Really, you couldn’t design it any better Nikkō ...... 157 if you tried. Gunma Prefecture ..... 164 Authentic country ryokan, regional cuisines and cedar- Mito ...... 167 lined trails are all within two hours of central Tokyo, as well Takao-san ...... 168 as the symbol of Japan itself, alluring Mt Fuji. There’s his- Oku-Tama Region ...... 168 tory here too, including an old medieval capital and ports that were among the first to open to the West. These are, ...... 169 for better or for worse, well-visited places and you’ll find ...... 174 transport and communication to be a comparative breeze. Y okohama ...... 184 The Izu Islands and World Heritage–listed Ogasawara, K amakura ...... 190 island chains that trickle some 1000km south from Tokyo, are the exception. Though they’re technically still part of the Narita ...... 195 capital, you’ll find many Tokyoites are only vaguely familiar Ogasawara with them – so much the better for those looking for total Archipelago...... 196 escape.

Best Onsen When to Go ¨¨Jinata Onsen (p183) Kawaguchi-ko °C/°F Temp inches/mm ¨¨Urami-ga-taki Onsen Rainfall 40/104 16/400 (p184) 30/86 ¨¨Takaragawa Onsen (p166) 12/300 20/68 ¨¨Sai-no-kawara (p164) 8/200 10/50 4/100 0/32

-10/14 0 Best Culture J F DNOSAJJMAM ¨¨Hakone Open-Air Museum (p172) Apr & May Jul & Aug The Sep–Nov Pleas- ¨¨Tōshō-gū (p159) Experience the official season for ant temperatures flush of spring in Mt Fuji climbing and fewer crowds, ¨¨Kairaku-en (p167) the mountains and beach-hop- save when the ¨¨Kenchō-ji (p190) north and west of ping around the autumn leaves Tokyo. I zu Peninsula. blaze red. 147 Mt Fuji & Around Tokyo MToturs Fuji Area ------03- yūkō % 富士山 ( brochure, (www17.plala. oshida, from yoto Station

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and ¥2980, one hour; Fuji

Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal all all the At the summit, At the has the crater circumfer summit, Mt The The Japanese proverb ‘He who climbs Coming from Western Japan, the overnight awaguchi-ko (¥1110, 50 minutes). tokkyū Mt Mt Fuji or.jp/climb_fujiyama/index.html) climb info the all with resources online lent ers need. The available at Infor Tourist the Fuji-Yoshida up. picking worth also is Center, mation climbs it twice is a fool’ remains as valid as as valid is remains a fool’ it twice climbs the top While reaching a brings ever. great sense of achievement (particularly at sun one and climb a grueling it’s aware be rise), or scenery beautiful its for known not that’s being at one with often It’s nature. packed with trekkers, and Fuji’s its from away barren worlds apocalyptic- is landscape looking afar. from viewed that’s beauty spectacu are views expected, As 4km. of ence over. clouded be to it for prepared be but lar, opposite the on is (3776m) point highest The if a office post there’s and of crater, the side home. back postcard a send to want you ide.com) K Of is the real deal. for Admiration the moun lit recorded earliest Japan’s in appears tain dating erature, from the 8th Back century. then the now dormant volcano was prone to spewing smoke, making it all the more both captivate to continues Fuji Mt revered. 2012, in visitors; international and Japanese current It’s it. climbed people 318,000 some ly to under consideration become a World Site. Listed Heritage once is a wise man, he who BUS Frequent Keiō Dentetsu (p152) and Fujikyū Express (p153) buses (¥1700, one hours and 50 minutes) operate directly to K Station, and Fujisan Station in Fuji- the 5376-2222). bus departs from O way Station (¥8500, 10.15pm) via K (¥8000, 11.18pm) to K (arrives 8.32am). TRAIN JR Chūō line trains go from Shinjuku to Ōtsuki ( hours), where you transfer to the Fuji K line for Fujisan Station (¥990, 45 minutes) and

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Tours

awaguchi-ko Fifth Station on the mountain Getting There & Away Information 8 8 0545-64-2430; 0555-72-6700; 0555-22-7000; 0555-23-7554; 0555-23-7554; www.fujiyamaguides.com) Coming from Western Japan ( awaguchi-ko, are the principal gateways. I % % % % MT FUJI AREA during the official climbing season. you can take an overnight bus to K Tokyo by bus or train. The two main towns on the north side of the mountain, Fuji- K also possible to bus in straight from Tokyo to the K in Tokyo. 8 The Mt Fuji area is most easily reached from maps and brochures. Shin- Tourist Information Center ( 1st floor of the (Mt Fuji) Station. Has all the info on climbing, and brochures and maps of the area. Kawaguchi-ko Tourist Information Center ( until 7pm Sat) At All of the following have English-speaking staff and brochures on climbing and sights. Fuji-Yoshida Tourist Information Center ( mitting; mitting; private tour/per person for ¥65,000/36,000). two 8 depends depends on group size (private person tour/per for two ¥116,000/¥61,000). It also offers two-day off-season guided of Mt Fuji climbs (June to October, weather per Fujiyama ( Delve into the rich history of the tain moun with a three-day pilgrim tour; price of Mt Fuji from Tokyo (¥10,000 per (¥10,000 of person Mt from Fuji Tokyo for groups of two or in more), specialising less frequented routes. Private tours also available. T Discover (www.discover-japan-tours.com/en) tour company running guided group tours precious views of the sacred volcano, and get get and volcano, sacred the of views precious around the outdoorsy Fuji Five Lakes (Fuji go-ko) with plenty of camping, hiking and activities. lake Mt Mt Fuji ( obvi is peak, famous most and highest pan’s addition In draw. natural region’s this ously to climbing Fuji-san, visitors can hunt for