Mount Fuji Day Trip - Part 2

A Friday adventure around the Fuji Five Lakes area, continues. Part one is HERE. 

After enjoying the caves, we jumped in the car and heading out on the road again. Along one point, we could get a great view of Mount Fuji!

Along the main road, there was a 道の駅 (mi-chi no eki = a rest area) where we stopped to buy some lunch. A group of junior high (or high school?) students were busy selling bowls of fresh made soba (buckwheat noodles in a broth). We bought one bowl each for ¥300 and enjoyed slurping the noodles with other visitors.

My bowl of soba with green scallions on top:

View of the students' shop, which was to promote awareness 

of locally grown produce:

My friend also suggested buying milk, as dairy farms are prevalent in the Fuji area. We each got a bottle for about ¥130. My friend drank straight milk; I got coffee milk. Both were really delicious!

We both enjoying drinking our milk from this point at the rest area, which commanded great views of the mountain. It was perfect!

After filling up on food and drink, we headed out again, this time to see two lakes. The Fuji area is famous for five lakes. They are:  Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanako, Shojiko and Motosuko.      

However, we didn't go to see these as they are often quite crowded. Instead, my friend took me to two hidden, local lakes, which had almost no visitors. We enjoyed spectacular views of the mountain.

The first secret lake with Fuji:

The second secret lake, calm and still:

I would rather not reveal the location of these secret points, because I am planning to go camping there in a week or so (yes, winter camping!). That said, there is a natural phenomenon that occurs only twice a year at one of these lakes. If you research that, I am sure you can find the hidden location. ^_^ The phenomenon is called "Double Diamond Fuji". When the sun rises over the summit of Mount Fuji, it reflects in the lake below, giving witnesses a display of sparkling sunshine (or "diamonds"). Photographers often try to capture this unique view.

Information about Double Diamond Mt. Fuji: 

Information about Fuji Five Lakes can be found HERE and HERE. 
Travel information & maps are HERE. 
A cheap option: rent a car for you and your friends. One day rentals in Japan cost about ¥3,000. ($30) You will need an International or Japanese license. Parking is usually free in the Fuji area.

For those interested in climbing Mount Fuji, be aware the climbing season is only 2 months long: From July 1 -- August 31. Outside of the official climbing season, you must report to a police station with information concerning your route and party members. Be prepared for altitude sickness too. Information for climbers is HERE.