Tanukiko, a little paradise at the foot of Fuji San
A beautiful weekend is coming up and I decide to go camping. I chose Tanukiko as my destination. It’s a lake dominated by mountains and the majestic Fuji San. Getting there by public transport is a bit of a journey. Leaving Tokyo, I take a Shinkansen line (the equivalent of the TGV, but with the advantage of frequent travel and no need to book) to Mishima. I then make two transfers to Fuji and Fujinomiya stations, before finally heading into the mountains on a bus that runs every hour. I make friends with a Japanese man who has come to enjoy nature. He settles down next to me for a few exchanges, obviously happy to be able to share in Japanese with a Westerner, and take the opportunity to practice his English. He ends up staying in a nearby hotel. A practical solution for greater comfort. For my part, I walk to the nearby campsite.
The whole journey takes me about three and a half hours. The advantage of rail transport in Japan is that timetables are perfectly calculated and delays are almost non-existent or of little consequence. Transfers follow on from one another without a hitch, making for a pleasant and efficient journey.
When I arrived at my destination, I found the place charming and, above all, very quiet. I’m going to be able to find genuine peace and quiet here.
The campsite is divided into two zones and the receptionist tells me I’ll be alone in zone B. He thoughtfully offered to change my reservation to the more convenient and popular zone A. Camping alone with nature was a dream come true for me, and I politely decline, too happy to enjoy the solitude. I set up my tent in the shade of a tree and explore the surrounding area. I was hoping to observe some of the local flora and fauna. The path around the lake is teeming with spiders, butterflies and insects of all kinds. The weather is a little gloomy and Fuji stubbornly remains behind its clouds, but the scenery is magnificent.
Along the way, I bump into the Japanese man I’d met on the bus. We chat for a few moments, and he shares with me an interesting reflection on his culture. Japan doesn’t invent anything; it takes what already exists in other countries and improves on it. From my own experience, I can only agree : I see so much diversity in everyday life, without it affecting deep-rooted traditions.
Back at my tent, I use the kindling I bought at the reception desk to prepare my meal. Sheltered fireplaces and running water are available for lighting a fire. Nice atmosphere guaranteed!
After a good night’s sleep, with the sound of insects singing, it’s time to wake up. In Japan, crickets are heard from late summer and into autumn.
Today, Fuji San is revealed and I decide to take advantage of the sunshine to rent a boat and admire the volcano from the lake.
Before catching the bus back to Fujinomiya station, I decide to take a two-hour round-trip hike to admire a waterfall while passing through some peat bogs. Fuji rises up along the way, a particularly charming sight.
In the villages, fruit and vegetables are often available on a self-service basis for a few yen in a box. I take the opportunity to buy some fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, which I nibble on the way. It makes a fitting end to my invigorating weekend. The campsite is open all year round and I keep it as one of my favorite destinations for enjoying nature and the seasons.
