Flights had all been booked and I had started planning the road trip and river cruise that we would be doing in Perth, Australia. It was winter there and we were looking forward to the cold weather, a much needed respite from the sweltering heat that we were experiencing in Singapore that month of June.
Less than three weeks before our trip, my hubby’s work (luckily) got in the way (he had to go to Tokyo) and so instead of heading to the land Down Under, we found ourselves flying north east, back to the land of the rising sun, Japan.
We were just in the country six months earlier for a winter holiday but the thought of going back still got us excited. Japan is a beautiful country and each of its 47 prefectures offers wonderful and diverse adventures.
So our 10-day Japan summer story started with a road trip to Mount Fuji.
After arriving late at night at Haneda International Airport, we checked in to the nearby Keikyu Ex Inn. It is a new three-star hotel that opened its doors in October 2017. It is right outside the airport. We had to book two separate rooms for our family since most rooms are only for double occupancy. The rooms were basic, clean and small (size which is typical of many Japan hotels). The toilets were compact but had all necessary toilet amenities that we would possibly need for the night. We did not mind this hotel at all especially since we were staying just for a night.
Moving on to our road trip. The following morning, we rented a car at Toyota Rent a Car, which was just a three-minute walk from the hotel. We did not make any prior booking since it was not peak season anyway. We got ourselves a Toyota Harrier and had to inform the counter that we are taking the car up Japan’s most famous mountain.
Mount Fuji is an active volcano which stands at 3776m high. The summit can only be reached during summer and this year it was from July 1 to Sept 10. But we did not intend to climb to the summit, we only wanted to do a road trip to the highest point that our car could take us, and that was at the Mt Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. The 5th Station was about 2300m above sea level.
From Tokyo, we took the Chuo Expressway to Yamanashi Prefecture which is where the Subaru Line starts. We made just one stopover at Fuji-Q Highland, an amusement park popular for thrill-seekers. The drive from Tokyo to the 5th Station was just about 2.5 to 3 hrs but we wanted to make that quick stop to use the loo and get drinks from the vending machines that Japan is also known for.
One of the things that make Japan so endearing to us is the effort and creativity they put into everything, even in those little tiny soft drink bottles, the multi-flavoured Kitkat or the Hello Kitty-shaped bun. We all had a fun time tasting the melon flavoured Fanta and the clear Coke, even the medicine-tasting peach cola.
From the 1st Station, the road begun to narrow but it was still concrete, pleasant and had ample signs throughout. The drive up was mostly through lush green trees and there were viewing spots at the different stations, although in our case it was mostly obscured by clouds. As we entered the mountain, the thick clouds above and surrounding the mountain made us doubt that we will ever see the top of Mt Fuji. Luckily the weather was erratic and was changing from cloudy to clear to misty and foggy and back to clear again every five or 10 minutes. There was no dull moment during our drive and we enjoyed every minute of it.
Finally we reached the 5th Station and we were rewarded with a magnificent view. We could actually see the top of the mountain from where were stood. It was a bald, seemingly unassuming mountain with just some leftover snow at the top, but it was a sight to behold. It was elusive and most of the time hiding, but the weather on the mountain was changing all the time and in those minutes that the summit peeked through the clouds, we were staring in awe, marvelling at its close proximity to us. It really felt close but we knew that from where were were, it would still take a day to two to get to the top.
What we think: Was it worth renting a car and driving up through the misty mountain? Definitely!
What we did next: We went hiking, of course. 🙂 I’ll post about it soon, promise.

















Here are some pictures at Haneda and at our overnight accommodation:







Melon and peach flavoured sodas…certainly peachy! I love it when the weather changes so obviously. When dense fog gives way to liquid blue skies, there is something to be said for it, right? Have to say that Mount Fuji is spectacular! I would love to trudge up it one day. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You said it perfectly, A. It’s true, it was kind of amazing to witness the weather changing that fast before our eyes. Ooh by the way, the peach soda, it’s nasty 🤢
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hah, I will remember that for a future Japanese trip 😉 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Japan is such an amazing place. Pity you missed out on Australia though!!! 😦
Next time eh? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah I was looking forward to Margaret River and I was planning our stops already. Hopefully next time. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure. There’s always s next time 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved your blogpost and video! It’s been years since we’ve been to Mt. Fuji but so impressed by your driving skills. We took a tour bus. What was that drink that your son had? Cough syrup? Ugh! It was very funny! Such cute Kit Kat bars and Evian bottles. Everything is made to be cute there isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really believe so, everything in Japan seems to be done so thoughtfully. You must have loved your experience in Mt Fuji as well and taking the tour bus is actually more popular than driving up. It’s just that my family do enjoy road trips (I know you guys do too 😉 ) and so we drive whenever we could. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it was a memorable one. Thank you for dropping by. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really enjoyed your post and all the great pics. I’ve climbed Mt. Fuji twice on two different trails. It sounds like you’re experience was full of joy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the kind words. I don’t know if we would ever be able to climb to the summit haha. You’re so lucky to be able to climb it twice. It must be a really rewarding experience. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that your family is so flexible in dealing with changing travel plans! Wonderful pics!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha no choice when duty calls for my hubby 🙂 But it ended up a really lovely summer holiday for us.
LikeLike
My daughter is dying to go to Japan, so I’ll have to go through your posts here. They seem jam-packed with great information and the photos are spectacular!
Donna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh thanks so much Donna. Japan’s a great place – so many things to see and do for everyone, people are kind and food’s the best! Even pasta is great there hahah 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
beautiful trip
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Tanja. It was our first time in Japan during the summer season and our little adventures went well 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like a great trip! I’m belatedly catching up with your blog. Far more to read by the looks of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! It was a lovely summer in Japan! And I too haven’t been reading or doing any blogs since the start of the year. Ugh, so so busy.
LikeLike
Beautiful views of Mt. Fuji. Only saw ti from Bullet Train over 30 years ago. Your post makes me want to go back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A bit far from your home, but Japan is always a good idea. Thank you for dropping by. 🙂
LikeLike