Gogoen Rest House (Mt. Fuji 5th Station) - Yamanashi, Japan (Day 4)

Prior to climbing Mt. Fuji, we stopped at the fifth station on the Kawaguchiko route to get some fuel in the form of (you guessed it) ramen. Without much to choose from and wanting to escape the rain, we found ourselves on the second floor of one of the rest houses.


With the end of the Fujisan climbing season fast approaching (it's only open during July and August), there was surprisingly only a few people dining around us. They recommend not climbing Mt. Fuji in bad weather (and it was pretty bad), but we weren't about to leave now.


Chashu Ramen: So for all the good ramen I've been eating, it was inevitable that there would be a bad one. And since this is Mt. Fuji, I guess it doesn't really matter. As long as it keeps you warm and gives you enough energy to start the climb is the key. The shoyu flavored soup was very simple, without much more than just an average taste. The toppings (chashu, menma, cabbage, negi, nori) were suffering from altitude sickness, but then again so was I.


The noodles were very starchy. Possibly the starchiest I've ever had. I hope it gives me enough energy for the climb because I know I'll need it.


The weather cleared for 10 minutes, just long enough to take this beautiful picture of Fujisan.


Stay tuned to see if I made it to the top...