Mount Fuji, Japan? (October 26, 2025)
If you use your imagination, you can sort of … no, let’s face it. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, the clouds prevent any view of Japan’s most spectacular mountain: Mount Fuji. I’m so glad that we left Tokyo to take a train down to Atami just to get close enough to … see this fantastic cloud formation! It feels like I’m back in San Francisco when the fog comes in so thick, you can’t see a thing. That’s what today has been like for all the views we came to see in this part of Japan.
If this were a clear day, you might be able to see Mount Fuji
It’s okay. We looked at our weather forecast and confirmed what we had seen on Friday. Today it will be 100% chance of rain for 95% of the day with a short 30 to 45 minute break where the rain will stop, but the clouds will be as thick as pea soup.
If it were “critical” to see Mount Fuji, we would have come to Japan at a different time of year. Of course, this is more or less what we did when we began our planning. We did a Google search that said, “What’s the best time to see Mount Fuji?” and the answer was:
The best time of year to see Mount Fuji is during the colder months from November to February for the clearest views due to drier air and a higher chance of visibility.
Well, technically, it’s not November, but October 26th is “close enough” in my book. Apparently, later in November is better because it’s simply not “cold enough” to clear away the last of the warm weather in Japan. Tell that to Elena and Violet who have been living in their sweaters and jackets since we checked into our airbnb. The heat has been cranked and on non-stop since we got here. Collectively, we believe it’s cold enough, thank you very much, but apparently the warm front isn’t giving up without fight (in the form of rain clouds).
Guess what Violet and I found at the house? Nintendo Famicom!
So, no trekking to see Mount Fuji today. Instead, Violet and I will have some deep bonding time playing Super Mario Brothers and similar Nintendo games that we grew up playing together. It’s been quite a long time and I’m excited to dig in.
Video games, check!
Movies, check!
Puzzle, check!
Strange sink on top of the toilet … what now???
True water efficiency — wash your hands with the clean toilet water!
And I thought California was innovative when it came to water conservation. This is a new one. And it makes sense. The water line going to the toilet is actually clean water. Why not use it to wash your hands and use the soapy water to flush? As water becomes a more and more valuable resource, this could be a way to combine our water usage in the bathroom. Nice one, Japan!
Elena and Violet just finished the 1,000 piece puzzle. Nice one, family!
In case this puzzle means nothing to you, this is a Re: Zero poster and one both Violet and Elena were happy to work on together. My favorite shot is when they were almost done:
Nearly complete puzzle … anticipation called Elena and Violet to task
And I watched one more movie that I never saw when it first came out. This one was with Julia Roberts called, Ben is Back and it was about the negative impact drug addiction had on families and, in particular, the opioid addiction. It was a moving and powerful drama. A wonderful movie to take me away from everything and allow me a second day to rest and recharge.
While doing this, we did several loads of laundry. As Elena put it, “I’d trade a Japanese toilet for a US dryer.” It’s true, most households own a washing machine, but few own a dryer. That means “planning ahead” when it’s raining outside and you’re unable to hang dry outside. There’s a lot more placing things up in front of the heaters strategically and rotating them throughout the day to ensure everything actually drys. And even then, it’s “mostly dry” not “bone dry” like in the US.
Way to see reality for what it is. Thank you Eckhart Tolle. Wise words!
Tomorrow, we leave our airbnb at 8:30am and head to Kyoto, Japan where we seek to visit several temples, shrines and engage with the traditional Japanese ceremonies such as a tea ceremony and perhaps the Geisha art, dance and music. It’s been a great weekend break here in Atami — even if it’s different than what we had originally planned and anticipated.
