Japan Day 5: Mount Fuji, Guesthouse & Campfire

📍 Places: Hakone & Mt. Fuji

🚆 Train Ride to Hakone

Time to change hotels. We took the Romance Car train to the mountain town of Hakone. The train had reserved seats, and I had bought what I thought was a salad at FamilyMart, but it turned out to be a salad with lots of noodles and sauce at the bottom. It was okay, just not what I expected.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Book Romance Car tickets early, especially if you need wheelchair space or specific seats.

• The train is accessible with wide aisles.

• Convenience store food in Japan can be surprising, check the labels or ask the staff.

🏡 Check-In at Gora Gaku Guesthouse

Our next hotel was Gora Gaku Guesthouse, where we met the friendly owner and guide. We left our things in our rooms, I shared with two other girls and relaxed a bit. Some of us played Jenga and Uno before getting ready to see Mt. Fuji. In the photo below, you can see me with Helena and Sarah on our balcony.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Smaller guesthouses often provide more personal service. Let them know ahead of time if you need an elevator, extra pillows, or other adjustments, they're usually very helpful.

• Card games or small travel games are perfect icebreakers with new travel companions.

🚡 Train, Gondola & Stunning Views

We took a train up the mountain and then switched to a gondola with transparent walls so we could enjoy the scenery. The views were breathtaking, and the gondola was roomy enough for several people from our group.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• The Hakone gondolas are surprisingly spacious and can accommodate foldable wheelchairs.

• If you're afraid of heights, stand in the middle of the cabin and avoid looking straight down.

• Bring a light jacket or sweater, it gets cooler as you climb higher.

🗻 The Viewpoint – Mt. Fuji (or Just Fog 😅)

At the top, we went to the viewpoint to see Mt. Fuji, but fog covered the peak that day. Still, there were shops at the viewpoint where we browsed souvenirs. I bought a fan and some magnets. They also sold chocolate ice cream and the famous black eggs, legend says eating one adds seven years to your life.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Fuji is often hidden by clouds, check the forecast, but be ready for changing conditions.

• Souvenirs like fans, magnets, or keychains are light and easy to carry.

• The black egg is safe to eat, but be prepared for the strong smell!

📚 A Little About Fuji-san

Fuji-san, Mount Fuji, or simply Fuji (富士山), also known internationally as Fujiyama, is Japan's highest mountain at 3,776 meters (12,389 ft). The entire mountain is a large active volcano with a history of eruptions.
👉 Read more about Fuji-san here

🍲 Evening Hotpot & Community

Back at the guesthouse, we played games and relaxed before the whole group gathered for dinner. The guide showed us how to prepare a traditional Japanese Nabe hotpot.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Hotpot is perfect for groups. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, let your guide know in advance, they're usually very accommodating.

• Try a little bit of everything, Japanese hosts appreciate it when you taste the dishes.

🔥 Campfire, Music Game & Norwegian Candy

After dinner, we gathered on the rooftop for a music game. Everyone chose a song they were embarrassed to admit they liked, and we had to guess who picked which song. As the evening got cooler, we lit a campfire. We chatted, drank a little alcohol, soda, or water, and I shared Norwegian candy. Salt licorice wasn't a hit, but Biler and Godt & Blandet were well received.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Bring a small bag of candy or snacks from your home country, it's a fun way to share your culture.

• A music game or quiz is perfect for travel groups.

• If you're sensitive to smoke, sit a bit farther from the fire or bring a scarf.

🌟 Summary

All in all, this was a wonderful day full of views (even if Fuji's peak stayed hidden), shopping, souvenirs, good conversations, new friends, games, and campfire fun. Even though we didn't see the mountain's peak that day, we caught a glimpse of it later, so everything worked out in the end.

💡 Extra Tips & Tricks:

• Keep your plans flexible, the weather around Fuji can change quickly.

• Pack light but always bring a power bank and water bottle, small, practical items make the day easier.

• For travelers with physical or mental health challenges: choose smaller guesthouses and low-key evening activities for a more relaxed experience.

• If Fuji is hidden by clouds, Hakone offers great alternatives like the Hakone Open-Air Museum or hot springs.