Fuji via Hakone Komagatake Ropeway (箱根駒ヶ岳ロープウェー)

While we saw Fuji by an English guided bus tour and at the "first step" of the ten step hike, we also had the opportunity to view the mountain uniquely by cable car at the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway (箱根駒ヶ岳ロープウェー), Hakone Komagatake Rōpuwē). The aerial ropeway was first constructed in 1963, and has a total cable length of about 1.1 miles. For 7 minutes, about 100 passengers {squished} can enter the cable car and get an amazing, panoramic view! The ropeway, starting from Hakone-en, leads to Mount Komagatake (1,327m) noted for the views of Mt. Fuji, Ashinoko Lake {we also did a boat tour}, and surrounding mountains. 

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Here are a few of my favorite pictures, after exiting the cable car. They were stunning: 

{With "Mr. Fish" our tour guide. He spoke excellent English and has hiked Fuji 12 times!}

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In addition to an observation point, the summit of Mt Komagatake also features part of the Hakone Shrine. The two poles on top of the shrine are not radio antennas, they are lightning rods which help protect the shrine from lightning strikes. We were able to walk around freely and take pictures here. There was still much snow at the summit at this point in the year. It was cccold! 

 {Back view of the cable car station.}

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Just to give you an idea, here are some photos from a woman who completed the entirety of the hike on Mount Fuji. You can read about her journey here: http://lifetoreset.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/i-climbed-mt-fuji/. She has amazing pictures. Here is a morning shot from the last torri gate, or the tenth and final station  of Mount Fuji, from the "Land of the Rising Sun." I want to do this one day! 

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Coincidentally, with all of the planning that the Fuji Trip involved, the best shots of the mountain were when we left Tokyo for good. They were from our view from the plane. The pilot never even announced the view. 

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I LOVED Fuji!!!!!

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