We explored a bit of Yokohama (see Chinatown and CupNoodles Museum) while our friends finished their work week, and on Saturday morning we packed up their car and left for our two day stint around Mt. Fuji. The plan was simple. Visit the famous Chureito Pagoda, relax at the Yunessun Onsen and do a stop at Hakone Shrine if possible.
The drive from Yokosuka (where our friends live) to Fujiyoshida was about two hours. We went via the north route and came back from the southern route to make a pit stop in Hakone. We drove straight to the Chureito Pagoda, but sadly it was cloudy that day. Afterwards we headed to check into our lovely hostel, had dinner and we ended the day at a traditional onsen! What an experience that was.
Anyways, the Chureito Pagoda is five stories high and sits up on a mountaintop overlooking the famous Mt. Fuji and the city of Fujiyoshida. It’s part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine and was built as a peace memorial in 1963 nearly 400 steps up the mountain from the shrine’s main buildings. It is insanely popular during cherry blossom season and during autumn when the leaves are changing colors.
^^ first cloudy view of Fuji-san (Japanese term for Mt. Fuji)^^
^^ all of those sad looking tree branches will have cherry blossoms come springtime ^^
^^ cute Japanese man that stopped to have a chat with us ^^
After spending quite a while enjoying that magnificent view we continued onto our hostel for check in. I booked the cutest place on AirBnb called Hostel Saruya. It was a dreamy traditional Japanese style building and we slept on the floor in futons. Not our first time, but definitely the most comfortable yet! Here are a few snaps I caught:
^^ the view from the parking lot of the back entrance ^^
^^ Behind those screen doors on the sides are the shared rooms and our private room was after that little door! ^^
^^ a peak inside the shared rooms, they are only separated by cloth. Perfect for a backpacker staying 1 night ^^
^^ the first floor had a pottery store and I still regret not buying something!! ^^
^^ off to find some dinner using the cute map provided by the hostel^^
The next day we woke up to clear skies, so of course we headed back to the Chureito Pagoda before heading out to Hakone. But first breakfast at Starbucks with the most amazing view!!
Talk about #oversharing one thing… but seriously it’s magnificent and if you decide to do a day trip from Tokyo I cannot recommend this area enough.
Chureito Pagoda
3353-1 Arakura, Fujiyoshida,
Yamanashi Prefecture 403-0011, Japan
Open: 24/7
See more from this trip: Yokohama Chinatown | CupNoodles Museum Yokohama