Day 3 in Japan: Chasing Mount Fuji Dreams
Day 3, January 9, 2025. Today was all about one thing: seeing the majestic Mount Fuji. This has been a dream for a long time, and we were so excited to finally make it happen. Instead of going on our own, we decided to join a Klook tour. It was much cheaper and more convenient. The meeting point was at Tokyo Station, so our day started bright and early!
We woke up at 5 AM, prayed Fajr, and quickly got ready. After grabbing a bus to Tokyo Station, we walked a bit to find our group. For breakfast? Simple but satisfying: onigiri and tuna bread from a nearby store. The bus ride to Mount Fuji took about an hour. Along the way, our tour guide, Linda, told us there’s only a 20% chance of seeing Mount Fuji in a year. She said it rained yesterday and the entire last week, so no one could see the mountain. I was heartbroken but stayed hopeful. I prayed we’d get lucky. I dozed off on the bus, and when I woke up, I saw Mount Fuji in the distance! The top was covered by clouds, but it was there. Linda kept saying we were super lucky because the sky was clear and sunny. Alhamdulillah!
Our first stop was Oishi Park, and wow… it was breathtaking. The view of Mount Fuji with the park’s flowers and greenery in the foreground was magical. I felt emotional because there’s a Japanese saying: “Mount Fuji only shows itself to good people.” Does this mean I’m good? Haha! We also treated ourselves to white strawberries for 1,800 yen. They were sweet and addictive, but let’s be real, they were pricey! Worth it for the experience, though.
For lunch, we had fish bento boxes for 1,500 yen each. It was a simple lunch box set, nothing fancy, but it filled us up and kept us going for the next adventure.
Next, we visited a beautiful traditional village with a clear lake. (I totally forgot the name of the village, oops!) Linda told us the water from the lake was drinkable and crystal clear. The best part? The clouds finally disappeared! Mount Fuji stood tall and proud in the background, and we couldn’t stop taking pictures. It was absolutely stunning, a moment I’ll never forget. Our next stop was Hancho Street, but here’s the thing, it was a little underwhelming. Apparently, because some bad tourists break the rules, they’ve limited where people can take pictures.
The last stop was a pagoda, and let me tell you, the hike to the top was HARD. I almost gave up halfway, but I pushed through, and it was SO worth it. The view from the top was unreal. You could see Mount Fuji perfectly, and the pagoda made the scene even more magical. While I was soaking in the view, my husband video-called me. I showed him Mount Fuji through the camera, and we prayed that next time, Inshaa Allah, we could visit Japan together. Aamiin! After taking a lot of pictures, it was time to say goodbye to Mount Fuji. We headed back to Tokyo Station, arriving around 5 PM. The sunset from the station was stunning, just like a painting.
For dinner, we went to Shinjuku and had halal ramen. I can’t remember the place's name, but the ramen was delicious. I paid 1,800 yen for the ramen and an orange juice. After that, we stopped by a pharmacy to grab some chocolates (apparently, they’re cheaper there than at Don Quijote). Before heading back to the hotel, we grabbed some snacks from a nearby Lawson. I had takoyaki and milk protein—a perfect end to a long day.
When we got to the hotel, I checked my step tracker and saw that we walked almost 25,000 steps today! No wonder I was exhausted. After a quick shower, I packed my things for tomorrow’s trip to Takasaki for my conference. What a day! Alhamdulillah, for the clear skies and unforgettable memories. Mount Fuji, you’ve been amazing. 🗻✨
See you tomorrow!
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