Wednesday 22 Jan 2020 – Kawaguchiko

My next photo spot was Oshino Hakkai, or “Eight Seas”, the eight pools of water that are the main attraction at here. Bridges and pathways lead around and over these mineral-rich spring ponds surrounded by traditional thatched roof buildings, slowly spinning water wheels, and an amazing view of Mt. Fuji. Many restaurants, souvenir shops and food vendors suround the ponds selling vegetables, sweets, pickles, crafts and other local products. Some operate small outdoor grills to attract shoppers with the alluring smells of roasted sweet potato and toasted rice crackers (osenbei). I didn’t enter the small open air museum, the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan in a traditional thatched roof farmhouse and displaying farming tools, household items, samurai armour and weapons.

There are so many ways to compose a photo here, making it necessary to take many for a later decision. We have been blessed with great weather, clear skies, snow on the peak and ground; today was the icing on the cake. As we strolled through this small area, clouds gathered around the base of Fuji and above, adding to the composition. Apparently that is a sign of impending rain.

Next we drove to the carpark at the base of the steep, long climb to the Chureito Pagoda, as the icy road was closed. A brief look determined it not worth the effort till spring, especially as the weather was changing. The Chureito Pagoda, built as a peace memorial in 1963, is a five storied pagoda in the hills of Fujiyoshida City across from Mount Fuji. It attracts photographers around the year, but particularly so in mid April during the cherry blossom season when the pagoda seems to float in a sea of cherry blossoms. The pagoda is part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine, nearly 400 steps up the mountain from the shrine‘s main buildings, offering spectacular views of Mount Fuji in combination with the pagoda, especially during the cherry blossom season in mid April when there are hundreds of trees in bloom and during the autumn colour season which usually takes place in the first half of November.