If you know me, you won't really associate me with mountains. Don't get me wrong, I do love it but it's just hard for me because of my weight or sometimes there's just no opportunity to go.
But when my friends invited me to hike in Yamanashi prefecture, I couldn't say no, and just courageously said yes to them. I was a little bit excited but at the same time, I was also terrified. What could the mountains bring?
There were a few reasons why I was terrified. My body weight would be slowing me down, and me slowing down means everybody would be too. Another reason was my feet weren't fully healed yet, I've been doing therapy sessions though so after consulting with my therapist, he gave me a go and instructed me on some preparations. Last was the gear and clothes - which weren't cheap for a broke lady like me.
Despite it all, I just found myself on the tracks - and oh boy, it was such a fun, overwhelming, and fulfilling first hiking experience - in Japan.
Before sunrise, we left Tokyo to ride the train going to Yamanashi. It was far and we're planning to get the 8:10 AM bus to the start of the trail.
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We arrived at Kai Yamato station just before 8 AM, and the bus was already waiting for us.
When the group was complete, we boarded the bus and it took us almost an hour to reach the foot of the mountain. The bus ride was 1020 yen (6.82 USD) and it was not a great one as there were a lot of curves. I could imagine one would throw up on this ride but thankfully nothing like that happened.
We were so happy seeing the sea of clouds (unkai in Japanese) when we arrived at the start of the trail.
After the group's preparation, we headed to the mountains.
The first part of the trail was fun, but I was wearing my down jacket and the temperature suddenly changed to a hot one. I was sweating a lot so my friends told me to remove it first. Then off we go.
We passed by a big log which was very noticeable, and from there, we saw more sea of clouds. It's a clearer view from here than from the bus stop.
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We were hiking for almost an hour when we reached the first rest stop. It was a small inn and store. We already saw some people eating their snacks so we immediately did that too. Some went to the toilet.
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After this rest stop, we had to decide where to go - there were 2 trails to follow. The left trail went straight to the mountain while the right trail would take a long time to reach the mountain and it would be steep going down. Pain now than later so we went left.
From the rest stop to the top would be around an hour or so but we took almost 2 hours because I would always keep resting. My friends were so kind to let me have my rest, and they would teach me which way would be easy for me to take.
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Alas, we found a gem! Mt. Fuji was so beautiful from afar! At first, we didn't notice it as we were just busy enjoying our eyes with this awesome view. I was also asking for a break so while we were taking a break, we were taking photos, including a group photo.
When we saw Mt. Fuji, we were exhilarated that another group got intrigued and was also surprised to see Mt. Fuji from a distance. We can only see its peak though because it was a bit shy.
Before we hiked, my friends assured me this was an easy trail. But it was never easy! I struggled a lot but since I was already here, I mean this was my choice, I shouldn't give up and just continue.
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The view on the way also helped me boost my motivation. I would always say to myself that if I wasn't hiking here, I would never be blessed to see this amazing view of nature. Only in the mountains, you'd be able to see this.
My friends also kept motivating me and finally, we reached the near-peak area where we could take a break and have lunch. Our goal was to arrive here at 12 noon but because of me, we arrived at almost 1 PM. Sorry guys!
We saw groups of people, including a group where there were a lot of kids having lunch in one area. We didn't waste time and looked for a place to eat. Initially, we were planning to stay in the rocky area but the wind was so strong and we were already freezing so we moved to the area where there were lots of fallen trees.
My lunch was onigiri (rice balls), some had lunch boxes and @ohlnwwlknat made ramen with his instant noodle pack. He bought hot water in a container but because it was super cold, his ramen wasn't cooked, and the noodles remained hardened. 😂 We saw someone from another group boiling water with his camping tools and so, it was a lesson learned. We should buy the same next time so we can have hot water. 😂
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I was feeling tired and sick because of the sweat and the cold so I decided to stay there and wait for the rest of the gang come back from the peak. Yes, I didn't go with them. It was my only regret because they said they saw a deer there. Not that the deer was important. The feeling of conquering the mountain probably. The peak didn't have any nice view though, they said. I was weighing things - if I go, it might take us time again, and I didn't want to drag the group down so I remained there and enjoyed looking around.
https://youtube.com/shorts/FnWBK6gqeeQ?si=kGvVnUOdu52bPviN
The what ifs in my head were dragging me down..
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The next part of the course was so hard. It was already 2 PM and we barely couldn't see the trail because of thick fog. It was also colder than usual and now, I was using my extra socks as gloves. @ohlnwwlknat also lent me his extra jacket so I could be warm. Another lesson learned.
As I've said this part of the trail was hard. After the cloud cleared, we descended into a rocky area and these rocks were no joke. They were so huge that we needed help from each other. @itz.inno assisted me a lot and whatever he said, I'd follow. I trusted him a lot. 😂 No photos - my life was in danger for a bit. 😂 We're not even sure if this was the right way but we continued.
After that rocky hurdle, we reached another rest area but we couldn't afford to rest. It was already 2:30 PM and our last bus would depart at 3:45 PM. Actually, we thought we were in the wrong way but luckily we found a sign.
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It was a curvy descent. We still needed to be careful because it was muddy and a bit slippery. If it didn't rain the day before, we would have been faster.
Since the start of part 2 of the course, we hadn't seen or heard a single soul. We were like characters in a movie - looking lost, tired and cold, and surviving in the middle of the forest. When we heard the stream, we were a bit happy. Not until we had to cross it.
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After the challenging crossover, the path was so narrow that we were holding on to the rope that was there since we didn't know when. The rope was so helpful because one wrong step and you could fall. No one got hurt, whew!
We're still not sure if this was the right path but I could already see some pink cloth tied to trees, indicating we're on the right way. We continued and finally, we found a wide path and a house nearby. Also, another group just came from another route and passed us. I knew we were almost at the first rest stop.
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The path wasn't hard anymore, as this path was for cars, and moments later, we arrived at the rest stop. But time was of the essence, so no rest for me but some went to the toilet and hurriedly caught us up. It was already 3:30 PM and in 15 minutes, the bus will leave the place. From the rest stop to the parking area below, we took an hour going up but could we make it in 15 minutes going below?
We were not on the forest trail anymore because it would take us more time. Instead, we were on the road for cars. We're almost there but if we take the same path as cars, it would take us longer so we used the forest path as a shortcut going down. I could already see the sign that first greeted us when we were about to go up and at that time, my legs were about to give up on me. I pushed myself further and finally, we're almost there.
Some of my friends were already in the queue for the bus, and the driver was already counting the passengers. My friends informed the driver there were 3 more coming. The driver asked where and my friends bought time and when they saw us, they said over there! Immediately, all heads turned in our way, making us like we're the main protagonists of this movie. It was embarrassing but we couldn't care anymore. We're going home and we finished the hike!
This was my first hike and I had a lot of realizations. Weather is unpredictable in the mountains. The trail was for beginners but I wish I had more stamina. I was blessed to have my friends with me on this hike. They motivated and assisted me a lot, and I also really pushed myself to the limits. I couldn't remember when was the last time I did that.
https://youtube.com/shorts/aqiEt0ZG59o?si=l-cbDUI3oQzpRz71
I was so exhausted and the next few days at home, I was sick, probably because of the cold. But I just didn't go home, I went home feeling contented, overwhelmed, and successful. It was a great challenge! I felt like a conqueror, well, I just conquered Mt. Daibosatsu!
Now where to next? 🙃
Thanks for reading!
See you around! じゃあ、またね！
All photos are taken using my phone unless stated otherwise.