Mount Fuji, Japan | Pinch Me Moments of Travel

A cool wind whistled over the peak of Mount Fuji. Sunlight glinted the surface of Lake Hakone on one side and dappled the surface of the Pacific Ocean beyond the grey stone building nestled at the peak of the (terrifying) cable car wires.

In front of us cloaked in Winter splendour was Mount Fuji. Her peak mostly bare of clouds we took several long moments to simply breathe in the auspicious and rare sight.

I’ve never felt more alive than that moment (and standing with my Boy at the Church altar). Just a moment of profound depth, one that will never be forgotten, and I have treasured in many quiet times since.

We were even luckier for the simple fact of making it to the first level of the Mountain (there are two levels ascendable by vehicle, and a third often trekked on foot in Summer) as the winter weather only cleared enough 20 minutes before we were due to arrive. After the coach trip back, we headed towards the Ryopponen tower and watched the sun dip behind Mount Fuji’s silhouette in the distance. A wonderful end to a blissful day.

The Pacific Ocean (to the left) was calling my name. So close, yet so far…)

What is it about Japan that so captures imaginations? Everyone we know who has visited adores the country, the customs and the food, and everyone that hasn’t been desperately wants to go.

Whilst we were staying in Tokyo, this was the only thing I absolutely had to cross off the list – besides eat conveyor belt sushi – and had booked it far in advance of the plane tickets. We caught a day coach trip, and it was the easiest thing in the world.