Farewell Fujisan

 Back in December of 2020 we went on a trip with MWR where we hiked Mt. Kasturagi. It was a hard hike for several reasons - it was long, it was steep, and it was raining. When we finally got to the top, we were disappointed because the fabulous view of Mt Fuji we were hoping to see was covered in clouds. I always vowed I would go back someday to see that view. We finally made it on our second to last weekend in Japan. 

We looked at the weather forecast ahead of time and thought it would be a good day to go, but when we arrive in Numazu the clouds had rolled in and Fuji was no where to be seen. Hoping for better luck later in the day, we stopped to see a unique feat of engineering, the Numazu Port Water Gate. It was built in the early 2000s to help prevent flooding from tsunamis and typhoons. The gate can be dropped and, in conjunction with a seawall, it will stop the water from flowing inland to flood the low lying areas. 

Both sides of the gate are open for people to go up and see the view of Suruga Bay and Mt Fuji. We met a lovely old Japanese man who was a volunteer tour guide. He gave us the whole tour in Japanese. Dad would translate what he could for me. We couldn't understand it all, but still, so nice of him!





Just a few blocks away from the Numazu Port is the Numazu Deep Sea aquarium. This aquarium specializes in deep sea creatures and other things that live in Suruga Bay. Saruga is the deepest bay in Japan at 2500 meters (over 1.5 miles)! 








The aquarium also has 3 preserved coelacanths. These are pre-historic giant fish that were considered extinct until just 80 years ago when one was caught off the coast of Australia.  Two of the coelacanths on display were stuffed, but one was frozen in a case that is kept at -20 degrees F. 



This long-neck turtle was so cute - he is not a deep sea creature so I'm not sure why he was in the aquarium, but glad to see him!


After we finished at the aquarium we decided to take a chance and head to Izu Panorama Park at the top of Mt Katsuragi. Unlike our last trip to the top, we took the tram this time! 

The trams are small, continuously moving trams, like at a ski resort. There were a few sections that freaked me out because it gets very steep and the little tram swings a bit as it goes up.

View of rice drying in the field as we started up




When we first arrived at the top, Fujisan was visible!! There were clouds going across but you could see the summit. We stayed and ate lunch, and watched more clouds move in until the top was no longer visible. But after another 30 min the good view was back. This was one of the best views of Mt Fuji I've had. I'm glad we got to go back!










We stayed until closing, just enjoying the view and saying goodbye to Mt. Fuji.


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