Mt. Fuji

I originally had planned to climb Mt. Fuji (or Fujisan as it is called here) on Sept. 8th (5 days after my arrival in Japan) but because of all the walking I had done the days before, I had some blisters on my feet so I didn't go. But 2 weeks later some other people were planning on going so I decided to join them (even if the official season is over and the top is getting really cold). To climb Fujisan you go by bus to what they call "5th Station" which is about at 2300m. We started climbing at about 2pm, after 6 hours, and about 6km of walking (and myself being completely exhausted) we finally arrived to the 8th Station which is at 3300m and it was already dark. the plan is to sleep at the 8th Station and wake up around 2am and climb to the top (3700m) to watch the sunrise. I didn't want to pay 5000yen (about 60$) just to sleep inside the hut with lots of other people, so I had brought my Sleeping bag and some warm clothes so I decided to sleep outside, but since this plan was for Sept 8th now on Sept 24th it was so cold, I couldn't sleep and kept shivering, after a while I had the brilliant idea to get a bit of rest in the restrooms that were heated! but until 2:30am I only got about 2 hours of rest, so when we started to climb again for the Top my body rapidly lost it's energy (and maybe altitude sickness, me not being really fit, and a +10kg backpack, almost no more water) I decided not to climb to the top and enjoy the sunrise from the 8th station. I might be a little disappointed not to have reached the top but still am very proud to have done all this.

Have a look at what it was worth:

Akihabara, Tokyo (Electric City)

Some pictures after 1 week in Tokyo - Quelques photos apres 1 semaine a Tokyo

More Pictures

Arrival in Tokyo - Arrivée à Tokyo

As my plane was descending near the Narita airport I started to understand what I had gotten myself into; the houses, roads, cars, fields... everything was different, I wasn't in Canada anymore. Out of the plane, I headed on to train station to try and figure out how to get to my first hostel. After almost 1 hour, I had my SuICa card (trains/metro prepaid card) and was on the train that was taking me to Tokyo. The ride took about 1h3, stopped at various stations, people coming in and out, I saw about 300 people and I was the only non-Japanese person! This was the beginning of my adventure!

Arriving at my hostel, I open the door to my room (or closet should I say) it was about 5x8 foot! But I had nothing to complain it was really cheap 3000yen (~35$) per night.

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Plus que mon avion descendais vers l'aéroport de Narita, plus je réalisais dans quoi je m’étais embarquer; les maisons, routes, autos, champs... tout étais si différent, ceci n’étais plus le Canada. Sorti de l’avion, je me dirige vers la station de train pour essayer de trouver quoi faire pour me rendre à mon hôtel. Après presque 1 heure, j’avais ma carte SuICa (carte de train/métro prépayé) et j’étais dans mon train qui m’emportait vers Tokyo. Le trajet a pris 1h30, arrêtant à plusieurs stations, les gens qui débarquent et embarque, J’ai du voir 300 personnes et j’étais le seul non-japonais! C’était le début de mon aventure!

J’arrive a mon hôtel, j’ouvre la porte de ma chambre (ou garde-robe devrais-je dire) elle mesurait 5x8 pied! Mais je n’ai rien à me plaindre elle ma couté 3000yen (~35$) par nuit.

Some pictures - Quelques photos

Small street with shops and restaurants in the evening

Hōzōmon Gate for Sensōji Buddhist temple

My first meal!, breakfast in a bento box

For more pictures and videos go see my picasaweb album (click here)
Pour plus de photos et video allez sur mon album picasaweb (cliquez ici)

Ready For Japan - Pret pour le Japon

Everything packed, about 20kg in my backpack; camera, laptop, clothes, bath items, small gifts for my future japanese friends ^_^ !!

My flight is leaving in about 10 hours, maybe I should go to bed and try to catch a few Z's, I haven't had trouble sleeping yesterday (or the days before for that matter) but I think I might have a bit of trouble tonight ;)

As of yet, I have one thing planned in Japan; climbing mount Fuji on Sept. 8th with a couple of other travelers and japanese that I virtually met on couchsurfing.org forums.

see you soon! (in japan!!)

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Les bagages sont fait, approx. 20kg dans mon sac à dos; camera, laptop, vêtements, articles de bains et des petits cadeaux pour mes futures amis japonnais ^_^ !!

Mon vol décolle dans plus ou moin 10 heures, peu être de que vais aller dormir un peu, je n'ai pas eu de trouble à dormir hier (ou même les jours avant..) mais je pense peu être avoir un peu de dificulté ce soir ;)

Jusqu'à maintenant, j'ai une chose de prévu au japon; mon expédition au mont Fuji le 8 Sept. avec quelques autres voyageurs et japonnais que j'ai rencontré virtuellement sur les forums de couchsurfing.org .

à bientôt! (au japon!!)

Japan soon!

Will be arriving in Japan on Sept 3rd so come back then ;)

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J'arriverai au Japon le 3 sept alors revenez a ce moment! ;)