The Cottage In The Woods, By the Swollen River

After an arduous ascent to the apex of Mount Fuji, it was time to treat ourselves to the serenity of the forest.

We took the bullet train (Shinkansen) and a few local trains to get to our destination, but the journey was definitely worth the effort.

On the first local bus, we could see Mount Fuji in all its splendour set against the green of the pastoral lands in the foreground and the clouds rising over the mountain.

Ideally located beside a fast flowing river, we were right in the cradle of serenity. Probably the only guests to be staying on site at the time, we had the entire area available to us.

We found joy amongst the creepiness

A quick trip up to the shops, we bought supplies for dinner and large watermelon – price, ¥1500. Yep!

We played a spot of tennis until the sun went down. It was five against one. Mainly because Gary was the only one who could actually play tennis.

The rest of us just smacked the ball back whenever we could.

Adjacent to the tennis courts was a creepy children’s playground, with the feeling that it had been abandoned years and years ago. The play equipment was rusted, the grass had grown long and the concrete appeared to have eroded away over time – just adding to the creepiness.

Nevertheless, we found joy amongst the creepiness. April jumped on the flying fox (zip line), as she rushed from one end to the other the whole thing seemed safe.

Next, Gary’s turn. But being a tall guy, he ended up smacking his butt on the ground which he then dragged behind him as the zip line pulled him to the otherside. LOL

I cut up the watermelon, my fruit baby.

Back at the cottage in the woods, the accommodation was inviting, warm and homely. Made entirely of wood, the place had a soft and natural feeling. There were even beds to sleep on, rather than the typical tatami mats on the floor.

We all made dinner together – the boys cut the vegetables, the girls made tea and rice. I cut up the watermelon, my fruit baby.

We were give pyjamas that resembled asylum hospital gowns.

Pyjamas that resembled asylum hospital gowns were provided to us – we had some fun acting up the role of sanitarium patients.

The river by the cottage became super swollen after the heavy rain that persisted through the night. We didn’t get photos of the fast moving water, but imagine extreme white water rapids.

Here’s how we got there: