As summer approaches, the chances of seeing a crystal-clear view of Mt. Fuji are gradually becoming lower. Even so, on this day trip from Narita Airport to the Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka area, we were lucky enough to catch several beautiful glimpses of the mountain from the bus along the way. For some of our guests, it was their first visit to Japan, so seeing Mt. Fuji from the road was already a memorable experience.

Our first stop was Lake Kawaguchi, where we enjoyed houtou, a local specialty of Yamanashi Prefecture. It is a type of udon noodle, thick and flat, served in a rich miso-based soup and local vegetables, perfect for experiencing the flavors of the region.

After lunch, we boarded a sightseeing boat on Lake Kawaguchi and admired the surrounding scenery from the water.

In the afternoon, we visited Oshino Hakkai, a village famous for its crystal-clear spring ponds fed by the snowmelt of Mt. Fuji. The traditional thatched-roof houses, flowing streams, and peaceful atmosphere gave our guests a glimpse of what many people imagine as the original countryside landscape of Japan.

It was a long day trip from the airport on their day 1 in Tokyo, but thanks to delicious local food, and several chances to see Mt. Fuji, it turned into a wonderful introduction to Japan for our visitors.