Just back from visiting Mount Fuji and had such a sensory experience - gorgeous views! Actually went up to the 5th Station of Mount Fuji and could see for miles and miles across the Japanese Alps. Was a perfectly clear and sunny day so got to see the summit with all it's snow, amazing (so lucky to have had a clear sunny day, tour guide said it had been weeks of cloudy dismal weather - which i experienced yesterday). After the 5th Station the tour headed to a hotel for lunch at the base of Mount Fuji where I had Sashimi of Tuna and other Japanese delights inc. saka & green tea icecream - not converted to raw fish but gave it a go with the chopsticks :) Green Tea i thought would be sweet but not so, a acquired taste definately - going to stick with my White tea & Jasmine tea!! Hakone is about an hour from Mount Fuji where we took a cruise across Lake Ashinoko & then the Hakone Komagatake Aerial Tramway upto the summit of Mount Komagatake (1,327 above sea level) which gave even more magnificent & stunning views of Mount Fuji, really is a beautiful area. Got so lucky with the weather, got to see so much of the landscape :) Ended the day taking the Bullet Train back into Tokyo, took only 40 mins if that when it took 2+ hours on the coach, crazy speeds. Didn't really feel the speed whilst on the train but seeing the trains fly through the stations whilst on the platform is impressive for the speed.

Managed to nagivate fairly easily around Tokyo, subway system is good and most major roads & landmarks have roman letter directions so not too hard to find my way. Got slightly lost on my way back from the tube last night but just kept walking and somehow managed to find myself at my hostel, lol :) Visited Asakusa & Senso Temple yesterday morning which was impressive, scale of the temple, design of the Padago & the entrances was very elaborate. The temple dates back to the Edo period, centuries ago but most has been re-built in recent times due to the heavy destruction to the temple during WWII. There was a nice local market in the grounds with all Japanese made products, all really nice & well-made in most of the shops so got my shopping fix, lol :) Headed into Central Tokyo for lunch and more shopping in Ginza - label central. The shopping centres are mental, so many floors (at least 4 floors for the food hall alone - amazing cakes & biscuits) very much like Harrods. Got to see the Imperial Palace outer gardens which were lovely until the light rain turned into a torrential downpour - was glad to have my rain jacket. Took refuge in the Tokyo International Forum and grabed some dinner before heading back to the hostel. Needed more time really to explore Tokyo & the shrines & temples of Tokyo but enjoyed walking around & exploring, got to see quite a bit generally as there are little shrines & temples all over!

Mount Fuji was the best end to my trip I could have asked for :) Home time!!