THE FUJI EXPEDITION

I realized I had never talked about our climb of Mount Fuji. In September, Mathilde, Victor, Ambroise, my father and I packed our backpacks and left for Mount Fuji at around 21PM, in order to arrive around midnight at the start of the Mt. Fuji climb. We pilled layers of clothes, and put some extra socks and extra warm layers in our backpacks, added some cereal calorie bars, mini oxygen bottles, headband lamps, gloves, water, and took the road. At the site, one bathroom break, a warm coffee from a vending machine, and off we went in the night. There are two ways to climb Mt. Fuji, and we chose the night climb, so as to admire the sunrise from the top. This meant we had to get to the summit before 5ish. As 5 light spots in the night, we walked, and walked, and climbed. At some point your legs do not want to carry you anymore, your lungs are tired from the lack of oxygen, you're thirsty, you're hungry, you need a break. We had energy bars and energy jelly (all Japanese outdoors stores sell them, and they have very interesting flavors, although new culinary experiences are the last thing you want to do while climbing Mount Fuji), and, while most rest stations were closed (because of the season), we took several breaks. It wasn't all stairs and fun, sometimes we had to have to use our hands to climb rocks. After about 5 hours of tremendous effort, our legs carried us to the summit. That moment when you realize you have reached the top is golden. We had just enough energy to take some photos, and congratulate ourselves for making it to the summit ... until we realized we had to hike down the mountain. All we wanted to do is roll down, but somehow we carried ourselves back to our car, and looked for an onsen that would rinse off that tiring night and soothe our exhausted muscles.

The tired bunch, 3250m

Go team LH

KANAMARI MATSURI, THE "PENIS FESTIVAL"

The Kanamari Matsuri was one of those festivals I had read about, but never thought I would attend. It is often referred to as penis festival, but more specifically it is a shinto (remember, there are two major religions in Japan, shinto and buddhist) celebration of fertility that occurs yearly on the first Sunday of April. At the center of this festival is the Kanayama temple, and a giant parade that celebrates three giant penises (one of wood, one of iron, and one pink, carried by men dressed as women), carried in mikoshi (divine palanquin, or portable shinto shrine) throughout the city streets.

I do love a good matsuri. There is always good food, a great celebratory atmosphere, dances, people, and so on, but this one was a short party. Not only did we get hit by bad weather (it seems as though bad weather is all I get when I decide to get out of the city), but I was disappointed by the execution in itself. It was actually a big gaikokujin fest, and lacked Japaneseness. I quickly put my camera back in my bag, as it started pouring. Despite the rain, and the beer-inhibited tourists, it was an interesting experience, and we got to bring back genitals lollipops!

Happy Victor

The star

GETAWAY : GREEN GREEN KAMAKURA

There comes a moment in your Tokyo routine when you need to take a step out of the city and embrace the green-ness around the capital. Away from the concrete and to Kamakura we went. Kamakura is a very popular destination, about one hour away from the city center. It is very well known for its giant buddha, Daibutsu, and for its zen temples. Just what Fiona and I needed to rinse off the city dust! While the weather was not as beautiful as we had hoped, we were lucky to be close to alone to visit the zen temples. The silence and beauty of the surrounding nature, and the spirituality of the temples, was definitely a relaxing experience.

Under an unpleasant gray sky, we started off our visit at Kita-Kamakura. You can also start your visit at Kamakura, and work your way to the many temples of the area. About 50m from the mini station of Kita-Kamakura, we entered the Engakuji zen temple. No one in sight but two or three couples. Had the sun peaked from behind the clouds, we would have dropped our bags and stayed there, under the leave roofs overlooking the temple. It was beautifully calm, a truly soothing experience. The tones of green around us were mesmerizing, and created a very Japanese zen atmosphere.

Ticket to Engakuji temple

Stairs to the temple

Zen Japanese beauty

More of Engaku-ji

Next, we headed towards Tôkei-ji and Jôchi-ji, on the other side of the train tracks. We adventured towards Genjiyama Park and followed the Daibutsu Hiking course, leading to the Kuzuharagao-ka sanctuary. We walked, and walked, and walked, on a jungle-y path, hurrying to arrive at the Daibutsu before sunset.

Up we go

In the jungle

We walked and walked and walked in a tree tunnel, and finally reached the road to the Daibutsu. We hurried to the temple and barely made it before closing time. I therefore advise everyone to arrive before closing time, 17:30PM, so as to not be kicked out by the Daibutsu guards.

For big buddha, keep walking

Big buddha and little buddha

As great as this getaway was, we were relieved to step on the JR back to Tokyo, as Kamakura became dark and colder. We were tired but happy, ready for our gyoza soup waiting at home.

Bye bye green

A PINK POST FOR SPRING