Author: kitayama

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An Unforgettable Wildlife Encounter Around Mount Fuji

Nihonkamoshika 【Japanese Serow】

What an incredible morning! Despite the less-than-ideal conditions of light rain and wind, our morning SUP tour took an exciting turn when we spotted a Japanese serow. It was perched on the lava flows of the Aokigahara Jukai forest, gazing out at the lake – a truly special moment that instantly lifted our spirits.

These fascinating creatures are surprisingly curious and often don’t spook easily, even when confronted with humans on paddleboards. Encountering one so close to the lakeside lava beds is quite rare, making today truly exceptional. The Japanese serow is a natural monument in Japan and is well-known for its love of rocky, mountainous areas, so it’s not uncommon to see them confidently standing high on cliffs.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan and hoping for a unique wildlife encounter, keep an eye out! Japanese serows inhabit the mountains around Mt. Fuji and various other parts of Honshu. With a bit of luck, you might just have your own serow encounter during your visit!

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Mount Fuji’s Hidden Waters and Local Delights

Jimba Falls and Takasago Sake brewery

Mount Fuji has no rivers that flow year-round. This is because the ground, composed of volcanic gravel, allows rainwater to quickly permeate underground. However, this rainwater is filtered beneath the surface, dissolving many minerals as it goes, and then emerges as springs in various locations around Mount Fuji.
Oshino Hakkai and Shiraito Falls are famous examples. Today, we’d like to introduce one of these springs: Jimba Falls. This waterfall is nestled in a small village, and its water is so delicious that locals bring plastic containers to collect it. Filtered and chilled by Mount Fuji’s basaltic layers, the water is always refreshingly cold. In summer, its chill can even create mist rising from the river. The village features water channels fed by this spring water, and there are even wasabi fields. A walk through the area is quite pleasant. A short distance away, trout farming also thrives. Downstream, towns use this soft water from Mount Fuji for sake brewing. Following the journey of this water—as it springs forth, forms rivers, nurtures culture along its banks, and eventually flows into the sea—offers a fascinating travel experience.

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Tsukiyonezawa and the Mount Kuratake

There’s a little-known spot for tourists about an hour’s drive from Lake Kawaguchiko. It’s in a place called Tsukiyonezawa, and if you hike for about an hour up the Mount Kuratake hiking trail, you can see giant Japanese horse chestnut trees. The particularly large ones have a trunk circumference of over 8 meters and a height of 30 meters. The hiking trail follows a stream, so you can walk while listening to the sound of the water.If you don’t have a car, the nearest train station is JR Yanagawa Station. It’s a great recommendation for those who want to see lush green forests and giant trees.