On the Fujinomiya Trail, Part 1

Mount Fuji and I have a history. I love the mountain deeply, and look for it every time I hike a peak that claims to have a view of Japan’s highest mountain. I say “claims” because, thus far, Fujisan has obscured itself behind clouds every time I reach the summit of another peak. (Case in point, the photo above, which I took from Owakudani, a volcanic crater in Hakone that claims to offer one of the finest views of Fuji. You can see the lower slope of Fuji peeking coyly out from behind the clouds on the left side of