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Climbing Mt. Fuji at night – Part 2

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Japanese climbers set off at dusk from Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida Trail)

Japanese climbers set off at dusk from Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida Trail) 6PM

At 6PM I left the 5th Station and started the climb up Fuji. There were many other hikers on the trail, including several larger groups with a leader at the front and an assistant  at the rear.

Direction sign on Fuji Subaru Line ( Yoshida Trail ) Night climb

Direction sign on Fuji Subaru Line ( Yoshida Trail ) Night climb  6.20PM

Following the trail is very easy. It’s well signposted and there are plenty of people around. By 7PM it was dark, but I’d brought with me a great new LED Lenser headlamp
and a spare flashlight. I’d also brought my full size tripod, the 645Z, and three lenses so my pack was a little on the heavy side.

Direction sign on Fuji Subaru Line ( Yoshida Trail ) Night climb

Direction sign on Fuji Subaru Line ( Yoshida Trail ) Night climb 7PM

Hauling all my camera gear up the mountain did mean that I could get some interesting light painting shots on the climb. The sign above was lit with the flashlight, while the background had a 30 second exposure.

The following shot was a three minute exposure as a group of hikers wound up the trail past me. The leader and assistant had the red LED stick and the green LED globe. The other hikers between them were using white LED headlamps.

Lights of hikers on Fuji Subaru Line ( Yoshida Trail ) Night climb

Lights of hikers on Fuji Subaru Line ( Yoshida Trail ) Night climb 10PM

At 12.30 I passed through a torii gate at one of the huts. I set up the tripod and for 70 seconds captured the headlamps of hikers flowing up the mountain.

Headlamps on Mt Fuji. 12.30AM

Headlamps on Mt Fuji. 12.30AM

I’d brought plenty of snacks with me, but if you wanted or needed to there was hot food, chocolate bars and potato chips on sale at the various huts on your way up. Of course it was about double the price you’d pay at a convenience store, but you are halfway up a mountain.

Hot food at the mountain huts on Fuji.

Hot food at the mountain huts on Fuji.

At one hut I met freelance sound engineer Matt. A great guy who’s travelled the world working for iconic rocks bands and the occasional magician. We chatted as we hiked until we reached the summit just before dawn.

Dawn at the summit of Mt Fuji. 4.57AM

Dawn at the summit of Mt Fuji. 4.57AM

I watched the sunrise, and then spent an hour walking the rim of the crater. From the opposite edge to where I’d ascended you could view the shadow of Fuji stretching out across the lowlands. A little before 7AM I began to head down the mountain. It was possible to jog (scree run) down the descent route. It was great that progress was so quick because the cloudless sky and lack of vegetation meant it got hot very quickly.

I made it back to the 5th station just after 9AM, and booked a place on the bus to Shinjuku.  While waiting, I saw other hikers arriving about to begin their ascent. It was then I realized that I’d definitely made the right decision to trek up in darkness, because this Englishman doesn’t want to go up Fuji in the midday sun.

View of Fuji's shadow from the summit of Mt Fuji 5.50AM

View of Fuji’s shadow from the summit of Mt Fuji 5.50AM

Climbing Mt. Fuji at night – Part 1

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Bus from Shinjuku Station to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Bus from Shinjuku Station to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

There are several ways to climb Mt. Fuji. I’ll describe what I believe is perhaps the best and easiest option. During the July / August climbing season, you can get a bus from outside Shinjuku train station all the way to the 5th station on Fuji. Book tickets at the office which is next to Yodobashi Camera. You catch the bus from the “extraordinary bus stop” just a few meters away. A one way ticket is 2700 yen and it takes about 2 hours 30 minutes from Shinjuku to Fuji.

Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida Trail) at dusk.

Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida Trail) at dusk.

The 5th Station on Fuji is already up in the clouds at 2304 meters. I arrived just after 5pm so that I could take photographs in the late afternoon light, but many night climbers will opt for a bus that gets in at 18.55, or on weekends 20.15 or even 21.55.

Walking poles on sale at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Walking poles on sale at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Many hikers will buy a walking stick that that can be branded at the various huts on the way up. I was already carrying enough gear, so I didn’t bother.

Japanese climber laces up boots at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Japanese climber laces up boots at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Hiking boots are advisable for the climb, they provide support for the ankles and on the descent they reduce the number of stones that get inside. You’ll also need some warm clothes for higher altitudes especially if you’re hanging out on the summit awaiting sunrise. If the weather forecast is for wind and rain then I’d advise picking another day or having good waterproofs. A flashlight is a must, more on this in the next post.

omitake Shrine at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Komitake Shrine at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Before you leave the 5th Station stop by the Komitake Shrine which is located behind the souvenir shops and cafes.

Talismans on sale at Komitake Shrine  at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Talismans on sale at Komitake Shrine at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

You can grab some talismans to protect you on your way up the mountain, or just take one last look at Fuji before you begin your climb.

View of Fuji from Komitake Shrine at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

View of Fuji from Komitake Shrine at Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

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Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate. Photographed at the Naha Budokan on September 1st 2014.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Higaonna is the founder and Chief Instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation. He is also a Living National Treasure.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Described by some as the most dangerous person in Japan in a real fight. Morio Higaonna produced a blood curdling kiai (shout) when demonstrating techniques. He was also a lovely humble man, who was praised the project, and encouraging in what we are undertaking. His smile grew over the brief photo session as I kept asking him to punch again, or do a different technique.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Morio Higaonna, 10th dan Okinawa Goju-ryu karate.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo – Part 3

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Kawauchi-san, Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

Kawauchi-san, Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

After getting a few portraits and some general overview shots, I started looking for other angles. At one junction, where the mikoshi make a 90 degree turn, I noticed there was an elderly man watching the proceedings from the upstairs window of his home. I waved at him, pointed to my camera, and a few minutes later I was also watching the festival from the upstairs window.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

It turns out Kawauchi-san has lived in the same place since he was a kid. He watches the parade every year, and was quite happy to have some company for a little while.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

It was great to be able to look down on proceedings. I was able to capture a good selection of images I wouldn’t have been able to get otherwise. I even had enough time to shoot some video.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

A huge thank you to Kawauchi-san for happily letting a stranger into his home, and even giving the stranger a bottle of cold tea on a hot day in August.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo – Part 2

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Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

On Sunday 17th, Fukagawa Hachiman Festival reached its peak. Festivities began with blessings from the Shinto priest outside the shrine.

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

Dozens of mikoshi were carried through the streets, the participants getting soaked by far more bystanders with buckets of water.

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

As with yesterday, it was great to know that the Pentax 645Z and lenses are properly weather sealed. The camera was splashed several times, but there were no issues.

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

However, there were some professional water soakers that I needed to stay clear of. Numerous member of the Tokyo fire departments were there to drench the groups with water.

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

There’s weather sealing, and there’s being hit by a firehose sealing. I wasn’t going to test the latter.

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

My goal therefore was to try and get in close to the groups without getting soaked,

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

or crushed underfoot by a team of mikoshi carriers.

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

Fukagawa Festival, Tokyo, Japan

And a bit of video

Lasik – 6 month check-up

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Everything's good. 6-month check at the Kobe Kanagawa Shinjuku Clinic

Everything’s good. 6-month check at the Kobe Kanagawa Eye Clinic in Shinjuku

While in Tokyo, I’d stopped by the Kobe Kanagawa Eye Clinic in Shinjuku for my 6-month eye check after Lasik.

First, I did a standard eye test. I could read the bottom line with my right eye, the second to bottom line with my left eye, and the bottom line clearly with both eyes open.

My eyes were then checked by the doctor, and I was given the all clear. Awesome.

I can go back to the clinic if I ever have any concerns, but that was the final regularly scheduled check-up.

To learn more about my experience with Lasik  just click on the Lasik in Japan tab above.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo – Part 1

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Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

Fukagawa Festival a.k.a. The Water Throwing Festival held at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, Tokyo. Participants throw buckets of water at mikoshi (portable shirines) as they are carried through streets in one of the great Shinto festivals of Tokyo.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

Not everyone chooses buckets of water, there were plenty of kids with their super soakers happy to join in the fun.   These are shots from the Saturday, the day before the main festival. Going a day early allowed me to get a feel for the festival, work out the angles, and prepare myself for the following day.

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo

New Workshops!

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Fushimi Inari Shrine , Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine , Kyoto

 

Exciting news regarding workshops. I’ve set the dates for the fall Fundamentals Workshop, and for the first time there will be a workshop on DSLR video, a workshop on Advanced Off Camera, and a 7-day Kyoto workshop in the spring.

Aslo don’t forget to join us for Trevor William’s light painting workshop next month.

Click on the Photograph Workshops tab above for more details.

October 4 & 5 , 2014 – Photography Fundamentals Workshop with Chris Willson

October 10 & 11, 2014 –  Light Painting with Trevor Williams and Chris Willson

October 12, 2014 –  Advanced Light Painting with Trevor Williams and Chris Willson

November 1 & 2 , 2014 – Photography Fundamentals Workshop with  Chris Willson

November 8 & 9 , 2014 – DSLR Video Fundamentals Workshop with  Jonathan Galione

December 6 & 7 , 2014 – Photography Fundamentals Workshop with  Chris Willson

December 13 & 14 , 2014 – Advanced Off Camera Flash  with Pete Leong & Chris Willson

March 30th to April 5, 2015 – Kyoto Workshop with Chris Willson (& special guests)

 To book a place on a course please email chris(at)travel67.com I will send you a paypal request for the class fee. Payment secures your place on the course.