Japan: Mount Fuji and Typhoons

The day is Monday, October 29, 2007 ...

Last weekend, I finally got a chance to go to Mount Fuji and it's famous amusement park, Fuji Kyu Highland. Unfortunately, that was also the same time a typhoon hit the area, shutting down almost all rides and making Mount Fuji hidden by clouds. I wasn't expecting much when I went there but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of fun you can have in a giant poncho with friends.

Fuji Kyu Photo of me!

In the morning, the rain and wind wasn't too bad. It was slightly drizzling and everything seemt rather okay. However, when we got to Mount Fuji, it was chilly and the rain fall had kicked into overdrive. The clouds were everywhere and I kept having to ask, "Where is Mount Fuji?". It wasn't looking too good so far.

 Although the rain kept most of the major attractions closed (like the roller coaster pointed AT Mount Fuji, which was my compass for the day), we still managed to get into some of the rides. Some of the rides that were still open were the ferris wheel, Zorpis (shooting targets), Gundam Crisis, Biohazard, and some "Scary House", which was off a childhood cartoon for Japanese people. Let me just tell you that the Japanese love to get scared. Biohazard was a messed up old hospital where there are zombies who pop out of nowhere and chase you. Although it is just a show, they do a great job making the whole atmosphere real and can really freak you out.

 Scary monsters at Amusement park

Photo 040: Biohazard Zombie Hospital

 

Anyways, after going to the rides, getting our feet soaked, we went over to the Onsen at the hotel. It was simply short of fantastic as it is a great vacation from the ordinary, difficult working style of the Japanese, which I have become so accustomed to. Along the way to the onsen, I found this funny sign below. It pretty much says that coming in 2051, there will be a human powered Geisha roller coaster going at a whopping 12 km per hour. Damn I wish Canadian's had the same kind of humour.

Photo 049: Coming Attractions

Photo 049: Coming in 2051, Geisha, the 12 km/hour human powered roller coaster!

 

And at the end of it all, we took our bus back to Shinjuku and enjoyed some delicious Turkish food. Part of living in Tokyo is getting the advantage of having many times of cuisine. Canada has this benefit as well but perhaps not to such a large scale as Tokyo. Here is a photo of that wonderful course.

Photo 053: Turkish Dinner

Photo 053: Turkish Dinner 

  

View the entire gallery by clicking here! 

Message Wall

Mr. Roboto wrote this on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 Phew! I thought your blog just got nerdier, relieved to see your Fuji post. Too bad about the taifun tho, and your lack of roller coasters. I know how much your love riding things... That Geisha thing just reminded me of Bobby Lee's Memoir of A Geisha
Ayan wrote this on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 Lol I only like riding roller coasters buddy =p. But I wish I could ride that geisha ride, that sounds like a lot of fun. I'll probably be dead when the invent it though. I think I'm going to go back there again because the Typhoon really ruined the trip. Man, everyday after that day was beautiful, sunny skies. Its more unfortunate that there was a wedding planned at the hotel there too. Many pretty kimonos =)
kuma wrote this on Thursday, November 1, 2007 what an unlucky day!! we became kuma family because of the rain coats...we could go to hotsprings though =) and Turkish food!! sooo tasty =D loong and memorable day deshita ne ;)
Ayan wrote this on Friday, November 9, 2007 I can't wait until we go back! Yatta!
Adam Jones wrote this on Friday, July 18, 2008 Can you please see our story of the FUJI Challenge 4 in 24 Hours!!! Please check out www.fujiclimb.com We are planning to climb Mt Fuji 4 times in 24 hours!!!

Add a Message

Name
E-mail (View Privacy Policy)
Spam Number Please write the result of 7 + 2 in the box :o)
Comment
Website (optional)