This was from the before times. Our last weekend O'travels before hunkering down to avoid the germs.
As we said goodbye to Fujisan we did a quick google search for nearby beautiful things to explore. And of course, being Japan there were plenty of exquisite options! We drove west admiring the changing landscape from the rocky base of Mt Fuji to a tropical like forest. Aokigahara Forest, a Sea of Trees at the base of Mt Fuji. This area has a dark past, rumors of magnetic irregularities plus the dense forest that muffles sounds makes for an eerie experience. A quick traipse not too far into the jungle, admiring the solemn trees and quiet sounds, then back to the safety of our car before we got lost in the stillness of the forest.
This area is known for a series of caves created during one of the recentish Fujisan eruptions. We pull up to the first, proudly proclaimed Ice Cave! And prepare to go inside.
Being that it's now April (at the time of our adventure!) the sun is shining, and my toes are done with being cooped up in shoes from the long cold winter. It's officially flip flop season and I'm proudly sporting my favorite pair!
And then we approach the entrance to the cave. You know it's serious when the warnings are in English as well as Japanese. I think my favorite part of this sign is the upside down person: Danger, Danger, Danger!
Being that it's now April (at the time of our adventure!) the sun is shining, and my toes are done with being cooped up in shoes from the long cold winter. It's officially flip flop season and I'm proudly sporting my favorite pair!
And then we approach the entrance to the cave. You know it's serious when the warnings are in English as well as Japanese. I think my favorite part of this sign is the upside down person: Danger, Danger, Danger!
At the entrance they offer us helmets and the admissions person takes one look at my shoes and shakes his head. He points to a nearby shelf of boots, available for patrons to borrow. According to the signage, these are recommended for those wearing high heeled shoes. But I'm guessing my flipflops aren't suitable sturdy support for the DANGER that is to come. A quick change and we're off!
Up rocky stairs and down ladders, creeping under 91 cm ceilings (that's only 36 inches)
and tiptoeing through puddles of melting ice on slippery pokey rocks (so grateful for my borrowed boots!)
and tiptoeing through puddles of melting ice on slippery pokey rocks (so grateful for my borrowed boots!)
Loving the combination of naturally formed ice sculptures along with the ones crafted from blocks of ice. Which leads me to wonder, how did they get the blocks up ice up the stairs, down the ladder and through all the slippery bits on the path?!?!
Admiring ancient grains and the Japanese resourcefulness of using a cave for refrigeration preservation
And it wouldn't be a beautiful place in Japan without a tiny shrine nestled on lava rocks in a corner of the cave.
Love, love, love this cultures attention to detail, making even ordinary spaces extra special and magical.
Love, love, love this cultures attention to detail, making even ordinary spaces extra special and magical.
And as we headed home, reports of increasing Corona cases in Tokyo and the beginning realization that it's time to hunker down.
But what a beautiful last adventure for now (but hopefully not for long!)
But what a beautiful last adventure for now (but hopefully not for long!)