Hiking Mount Takao and Mount Fuji!

Here are the long awaited pictures from my hikes during summer vacation. I had an awesome time hanging out with Val and some other friends from training in Tokyo last week. Val and I did a practice hike on Mount Takao a couple of days before Fuji, which was a lot of fun. The weather was really rainy while we were in Tokyo, in fact there was a huge thunderstorm the day before we left for Fuji. We were really worried that our trip would be cancelled or that we would have miserable weather for the hike. We totally lucked out though, and had absolutely perfect weather and a clear sunrise.

The trails were packed, as expected, but we were able to climb along the edges and pass slower hikers. We started on the 5th level, and stayed the night on the 8th level. Then we woke up early to hike to the summit before sunrise. The last part of the hike, from the 9th level to the 10th, was definitely the hardest part. Not only were we tired and hungry, but we were trying to race the sun and the increasingly lighter sky always made us feel like we weren't going to make it in time. There were also many hikers who had given up and settled themselves along the side of the trail. Seeing them made me wonder if I should just stop too in order to ensure I had a good spot to see the sunrise, but of course the fighter in me wouldn't let me quit. I knew I hadn't come all this way just to give in and I wouldn't settle for anything but watching the sunrise from the summit of Mt. Fuji. I made it with time to spare, which actually frustrated me because I had to stand around and wait for awhile when I knew I could have used that time to take the hike a little more slowly. The sunrise was amazing, but the rest and hot chocolate at the top were even better! I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. Enjoy!

A waterfall shrine Val and I stopped at on our hike up Mt. Takao, the highest mountain in Tokyo. 

A cool suspension bridge we crossed over on our way down Mt. Takao. 

Mount Fuji! 

Stretching on the 5th level before beginning our hike! (I'm not quite sure what Alex is doing, but no one ever really knows) =) 

Me and Mayu showing off our new hiking sticks. Each time you reach a level (and sometimes at several points in between) you can get a stamp burned into the side of your stick. I loved my stick, which really came in handy, and the bells on top.

Hiroshi, Akiko, Motoko, Une, Mayu, and Val posing just after leaving the 5th level. 

Alex, Nina, and Nick having fun before the real work started. 

The beginning of the hike was really easy and paved with stones. Later we had to do some serious hiking, especially near the top. 

Looking up at some of the rest places along the way from the 6th level. 

The group at the 8th level. We were exhausted, so we got some much needed food and rest here before finishing our journey to the top. 

On our way to the top at around 2am. The path was so crowded and slow that often I had to climb along the side to pass other hikers. 

The sunrise! Everyone shouted "bonzai" when it appeared. Although this was a great moment, I have to admit that I was feeling a little sick when it happened. The lack of sleep and food really hit me after the rush to the top. 

Hiroshi, Motoko, Akiko and I decided to explore around the crater and we came across this shrine. It's covered in 5 yen coins and bells from the hiking sticks sold on the 5th level. Although I loved my bells, I was inspired to leave them on Mt. Fuji along with a 5 yen coin for good luck. 

The five yen coin I stuck in the shrine. Mine is the shiny one right in the middle. 

Me saying goodbye to my bells. 

The crater of Mt. Fuji! 

A beautiful view on the way down. 

There is a different path on the way down from the summit. The dirt was really loose and full of volcanic rocks, which made it slippery. I made it down in 3 hours, although I did fall once!

I'm okay!

Hi everyone, as you've probably heard already there was a big earthquake here earlier this morning. It was centered around Sendai (the biggest city near Fukushima) and was measured to be about 7.2. You can read more about it here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4155026.stm

I was talking to Chris on Skype when it happened. At first I thought it was just going to be the same small little earthquakes that we get all the time here in Japan, but the shaking kept going and started to get stronger so I moved to my doorway and waited. Some things fell off my shelves, and my toaster oven fell and broke spilling ashes all over my kitchen floor, but otherwise everything was okay. All my other friends are okay here as well, so no need to worry. Thanks for your thoughts and emails though!

I'll write again soon with some pictures from my vacation and Mt. Fuji!

Let the games begin!

My summer vacation has finally arrived, but it's so rainy that I can't really do anything! Today I was supposed to go to Aizu where I was going to make pottery with some co-workers. Unfortunately, this horrible storm set in and it's been rainy pretty much non-stop. We decided to cancel the road trip, and do it another time in September. That's okay though because now I have a day all to myself that I can spend cleaning, packing, and just plain relaxing. I'm trying to decide what to take with me to Tokyo and Fuji, and already my bag is stuffed. I thought my packing skills had improved, but obviously I was mistaken. Otherwise I think I'll just read and watch movies today.

I posted a picture from the Sendai Tanabata festival, but it was so hot and muggy that day that I really wasn't in the mood for taking lots of pictures. All the decorations were really pretty, but also very similar so you can get the idea from the one picture. I'll post more once I get back from Tokyo and Mt. Fuji!

Tanabata in Sendai. There were tons of these decorations everywhere, and they completely filled the shopping arcades. There were also people everywhere you looked, and you just had to get used to bumping into other sweaty tourists. 

Waraji and Tanabata Festivals!

This weekend there are tons of festivals going on in Fukushima. This past Friday was the Waraji Festival where men pull a huge traditional sandle around town. There were also some traditional dances at night, and of course the streets were full of stands selling all kinds of festival foods. Popular foods are roasted corn, shaved ice, yaki soba, tako yaki, and cotton candy!

Yesterday was the beginning of the Tanabata Festival too, so there were tons of shooting star decorations everywhere. Because of all the festivals, we got to wear our yukatas to work on Saturday. I bought one a few weeks ago, but never had the chance to wear it. Mitsuko taught me how to put it on, adjust the length, and tie the obi. It was a lot of fun wearing around, and much cooler than my usual suit.

Tonight I'll go to Sendai to see their Tanabata celebrations. Sendai is famous for their festival, so it should be pretty interesting to see. I'll post more pictures then, but enjoy the ones of Fukushima for now!

Me and my student Yumiko! I got to wear my yukata to work this past Saturday. It was really fun, and I think the students got a kick out of it. 

The front of my yukata! Mitsuko had to help me put it on, but now I learned how to tie the obi so I'll have to attempt to do it again myself sometime. 

The back of my yukata. I bought a one-size-fits-all, so it was too long so I had to fold the yukata up, which is why it looks a little funny around my hips. 

Me, Mitsuko, and Akiko wore our yukatas to work! 

The giant waraji (traditional sandle) that will eventually be taken to Shinobuyama, I think. There are some people dancing in front of it for a competition. None of the dances were traditional for this night of the festival, I think this one is a cowboy dance or something.

A huge stage was set up with a big screen so you could see the dancers better.