Fuji river cycling to Kofu(D-12)⭐⭐⭐ ‘22.25th,Dec
This D-12 route is in Area-D “Tokai". See Area-D map/See Japan map
Sight & Entertainment ⭐⭐⭐ *On the way, other than Mt.Fuji
Food & Drinks — *Cause no time to eat.
Easiness ⭐⭐⭐
Road condition ⭐⭐⭐
Safety ⭐⭐⭐
Though I felt soar throat a little when I woke up at AM4:00, I forced myself to go cycling there since I knew these days were the best timing to see Mt.Fuji. When the train came near to Fuji area around AM8:30, many passengers took pictures through the windows.
Starting from Fuji station at AM9:15, I aimed for the pic point(pic.2) where I took the same pic in the end of last year(ref. article D-4). At that time, the clouds covered the top of the Mt.Fuji but this time the condition was perfect. This pic became the “Best shot of this year" for me.
From that point, soon the up-slope started and mountains on the right hand side hided Mt.Fuji completely. Unexpectedly such situation lasted toward my final destination. So, though the road itself was not so bad and I could see the Fuji river on the left side(basically), it was less interesting than I expected.
If I could see high mountains like “South-Alps mountains" on the left hand side, I should have been fascinated but the Minobu mountains(pic.5) were the highest ones which can be seen from my route.
Besides, it was only 50km point when I could find a convenience store to fuel myself. Due to my bad health condition, I felt much fatigue by a long calm up-hill.
After 60km, the slope became calmer and I could reach Kofu basin but I spent much time than I planned and I had to change my destination nearer in order to catch an express I booked.
I wanted to eat “Houtou"(Hot pot dish stewing flat Udon noodles and vegetables in miso soup) which is originated in this area but I didn’t have time to drop in the restaurant. Apart from Houtou, wine is now famous in this area since the climate of this basin is similar to Middle Europe. And hot springs such as “Isawa Onsen“. I could not introduce them in this time but I’ll resume my cycling from Kofu toward North(Nagano prefecture) in the near future. Then I’ll drop in many of them.
The ancient lord, Shingen Takeda(pic.8) who lived in age of civil war(16C) made this poor land thrive. He fought against Nobunaga Oda, Ieyasu Tokugawa and never beaten when he was alive. So he is admired by whole Japanese as well as by this local people. We can find his related things here and there in Kofu area.
This time I booked a local express for the first time in my cycling trip. I was afraid whether there was enough space for bicycle but it somehow fit in(pic.9).
<Transportation info>
From Tokyo to Fuji station(1st train): Shinagawa AM5:10 to Odawara, then change train(AM6:22) to Atami, then change train(AM6:49) to Fuji. Arrival at AM7:28. *All JR Tokaido line \2,640-
From Kofu to Tokyo: JR express “Kaiji" to Shinjuku 1hr45min, then Yamanote-line 30min \3,890-
<Other recommendable spots near my route>
Other spots from Yamanashi prefecture guide HP
<Connected routes>
D-4: Suruga bay cycling