Since we are still celebrating YUI's Birthday, I will talk something slightly YUI related.



The first time I went passed by to Shizuoka (静岡) was on January, during my lone trip to Shikoku and Kansai.

Besides Mount Fuji and hot springs, I had no idea that Shizuoka has something to do with Chibi Maruko-chan until my junior pointed me out.

Since now it is still Seishun 18 season, when I was checking out suitable cross prefectures day/hiking trips from Tokyo for this ticket, Shizuoka prefecture was the best prefecture to visit.

Plus, I wanted to see Mount Fuji (never seen it before),

and this place called Yui (由比) is located in Shizuoka.



AND, we can see Mount Fuji from somewhere nearby Yui Station. AND it has a hiking course. Perfect place to be featured in half-banana blog on YUI's Birthday =D

Hence on March 25, 3 Bekka students from Waseda University had a day hiking trip to Shizuoka prefecture. China boy was still in China, so he couldn't participate this trip.

4:50 am: Takadanobaba (高田馬場) Station.



After one month being away from Tokyo, I was surprised to see that our beloved Takadanobaba station has new signboards! with Korean characters!!

4:58 am: Inside Yamanote line train towards Shinagawa (品川).



The best way to spend your time inside the train is to sleep.

5:23 am: Reached Shinagawa station. Every gaijin in Tokyo knows this station because the Tokyo Regional Immigration Office is here to 'provide' work permit and re-entry permit when leaving Japan temporary during your stay.



Still looking genki, good.

5:29 ~ 8:26 am: Inside the train towards Okitsu station (興津駅), Shizuoka.



Second time inside this type of train, I was kinda excited because normally this train is express type train, means more expensive. Halfway, Slovakia and Taiwan girl decided to let two uncles to sit down. Since we were sitting facing each other, I asked one of the uncle whether today we would be able to see Mount Fuji inside the train.

He answered:"Judging from today's weather, impossible."

Sad case. According to today's weather forecast, it is going to be cloudy and rain. However, another uncle comforted me that: We wouldn't know, the weather might turned better.


Damn depressed when I saw this train station. FUJI STATION. And the sky was getting darker.

No Mount Fuji from the train, what about from Satta Pass (さった峠)?

8:30 am: Okitsu Station (興津駅). RAINING.



Satta Pass (さった峠) is a mountain pass in between Okitsu and Yui Station. You can choose to hike from any station but, it is easier from Okitsu station, and the view is prettier.

Btw I think there is no such character in Chinese: 峠

Okitsu station (4 km) -> Satta Pass (3 km) -> Yui station


Signboards are everywhere so it is not that difficult to go Satta Pass without a map.

Apparently the town is having some election on March 29, we could see people 'making noises' around the streets with their beautifully decorated vans. If you guys watched CHANGE by Kimura Takuya before, you should get what I mean.


Candidate number 26 from Slovakia. Normally in Malaysia we have less than 5 candidates, different system I guess. So many of them driving around with the same looking vans, how to vote?

After walking for more than one hour, passing by countless number of mandarin orange trees, we finally reached to the top. But couldn't see mount Fuji!!!

Starting point:



Halfway:



Top:



Pardon my lousy photography skills, the scenery was really breathtaking and we were supposed to be able to see Mount Fuji as shown here. Bad luck.

Apparently three of us were the only group of people on top of Satta pass. Well, who wants to go hiking on rainy day anyway.


Mount Fuji where are you???? T.T

After hanging around and chatted for quite some time, eating mandarin oranges like ojisan does, time to go back. Now it is Sakura season so we got to see beautiful sakura along the way.


That picture with Mount Fuji makes me depressed.

It is another 3++ km journey to Yui Station. My shoes, jeans and bag were getting wet, plus not able to see Mount Fuji, I was kinda in a not-so-good mood. But, seeing YUI characters here and there definitely cheered me up ;)


YUI Manhole


YUI Pole


Yui Landsli deCenter?????

And finally, YUI STATION~!!


Taiwan girl was saying that the SMAP vending machine spoilt the whole picture.


Map nearby YUI Station.

Yui (由比) town is famous for its Sakura Prawns (桜えび), you can see sakura prawn related signs everywhere in Yui town. Since it is a small town, plus raining, it took us a while to find a operating restaurant to have lunch.



Lunch! Some restaurant opposite Yui train station.


Sakura ebi teishoku with different types of sakura ebi (1100 yen), I ordered curry rice (470 yen).

Not bad. The rain started to stop after we finished our lunch, yay.

To be continued.

Part 2: Shizuoka (Shimada, Bentenjima)