When I were traveling to Japan in Spring 2019, I visited not only Tokyo but also Kyoto, Osaka and Fujiyama-Kawaguchiko. As I have published three posts on the Architectuor+Design Community regarding my experience to have an architectour in Tokyo, today I would love to present my tour in Fujiyama-Kawaguchiko. As we know that Fujiyama-Kawaguchiko is a must visit destination when in Japan. We would see the amazing nature of Lake Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji as a backdrop. But for sure, it’s not only to admire both natural objects, we might also enjoy and got amazed with the buildings and architectural structures there.
I and a friend of mine traveled from Tokyo via Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station. It was a great traveling day as it was my first ever time to visit Kawaguchiko. It has been in my dream very long time to visit this amazing iconic place, to witness the beauty of Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji.
Before arriving to Kawaguchiko Station, we dropped by a small station named Shimoyosida Stadion. We would visit to see Chureido Pagoda in Arakurayama Sengen Park. Chureido Pagoda an historical building that is located on the mountainside, where it’s the best lookout place to view Fujiyoshida City and Mount Fuji in the distance. The Pagoda is part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine and it was built in 1963. I can hardly wait to arrive at the pagoda and viewing Mount Fuji from the best spot there.
Discovering Minimalist Houses and Beautiful Japanese Garden
After getting out of the train, we and other tourist walked a long a path passing through houses in the village. When walking in the fresh air, you know that I have fallen in love with Japan. We walked in a quite remote area of Japan, but the environment is so nice and well arranged with beautiful houses in the village. Most houses are minimalist but very well designed and built.
I really loved to enjoy the ambience there, with the houses and Japanese style garden. The architect was successful to design and build the houses in small area, with a cute minimalist, but everything looks functional.
After walking some far distance, my eyes catching a house that has an amazing functional design of a drying place for clothes.
I were thinking to adopt the design and apply in my place. I have saved this picture safely. If I have this place built in my house, my wife doesn’t has to worry when the rain fall while we’re still drying our clothes inside. Moreover, we live in Gayo Highlands of Aceh Province, where the weather is unpredictable, it could be raining while the sun is shining.
Stepping Up to Reach Chureido Pagoda
After taking and zooming some pictures of the drying place, we kept walking to Chureido Pagoda. A few minutes later, we arrive at the foot of stairs. The stair has 396 steps to walk up to the Pagoda. Surely, we need to give some effort to have fantastic view of Mount Fuji from Chureido Pagoda.
So, we started walking ascending up while sightseeing and taking pictures. The steps of the stair is well designed and the architect paid good attention for ergonomic things.
We felt so good while stepping up as the view around there is amazing, and cherry blossoms growing on both flank of the stairs. It was in Spring, so we could really enjoy their flowers as well.
After walking up some hundreds of steps, we start viewing Mount Fuji in the distance. We were pretty lucky since the sky is quite clear.
Frankly, we got really tired to walk stepping up the stairs. But we didn’t give up, we had to reach our goal, to arrive at the historical pagoda.
Arriving at The Historical Pagoda
And you know, finally we arrived there. It’s really fantastic to be there for the first time in my life time.
I were overlooking the Mount Fuji from there. Not only the Mount, I also looked and enjoyed the view of city on the foot of Mount Fuji.
When walking to reach better spot, I found the stairs on the ground is so unique, it made of wood but it looks strong and good for preventing us slippery. It’s simple but smart design.
Spending a great quality time there for about one hour, then we started to descend. We would walk back to the station and proceed our trip to Kawaguchiko Station.
Thank you very much for reading this post. I really appreciate it, hopefully my architectuor experience may give some complement for the community.