3rd Prize:
Geo Peter

2nd Prize:
Risparmiainrete

Grand Prize:
gLf

Congratulations to the winners and please contact me about how to get your prize!

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Edited on February 25th.
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Here is the latest forecast from Tenki.jp! Looks like things will be a little early this year with Tokyo and Kyoto around March 25th.

If you are just visiting Japan for a limited amount of time, Kawasaki should probably not make your shortlist of places to see in Tokyo/Japan, but if you are living in Japan, there are two reasons why you might wanna check out Kawasaki: Kawasaki Daishi and something that is probably not safe for work, Kanamara Matsuri (The Steel Phallus Festival 金まら祭り).

Occurring once a year in April, Kanamara Matsuri, commonly referred to by foreigners as “The Penis Festival,” is the other reason why you might be persuaded to head over to Kawasaki. Like I mentioned already and you can probably guess by the name, this isn’t exactly something you should be searching the internet for at work! In any case, I have a detailed report of Kanamara Matsuri if you are interested in it (not x-rated and no real nudity, just a lot of phallic stuff and some implied gestures).

For more information about Kawasaki, take a look at the Official Kawasaki City site for more information.

Prizes:
There will be 3 prizes. Grand Prize is $209 by way of PalPay. 2nd Prize will get two 8×10″ photos of your choice from my gallery and 3rd Prize will get one 5×7″ photo of your choice from my gallery.

Rules/Requirements:
The contest will last until Saturday, March 28th 2009, 11:59pm EST (I will check the time of the comments), unless I do not have at least 200 entries and if that happens I will extend the contest until I get 250 entries (don’t think this will be a problem though). Most importantly….

You have to leave a comment so I know how you entered. No comment = no entries, no exceptions. Also, if you win the Grand Prize, you must have/sign up for a PalPay account (it’s free). PayPal is the only way I can pay the winner.

There is no maximum for number of entries and the winner will be selected using Random.org If you entered my last contest by adding links, you are still eligible for this one for adding the same links, as long as the links are still there AND you leave a comment on this post to let me know.

How to enter:
Get one entry for doing each/any of the following:

• Add the following link to your blogroll: Photography of Evan Pike
• Add the following link to your blogroll: Japan Daily Photo
• Subscribe by email to my feed using the following link: Subscribe to Japan Photo Guide by Email (make sure pop up blocker is off or it may not work)
• Digg, Stumble or use any other social sharing service to share a post from Japan Photo Guide. Up to two entries maximum for this one.

Get three entries for doing each/any of the following:

• Add the following link to your blogroll: Evan Pike Photography Blog
• Add the following link to your blogroll: Babibubebo Friends
• Add the following link to your blogroll: Japan Photo Guide

Get five entries for doing each/any of the following:

• Write a short blog entry about this contest and link back here.
• Write a short blog entry about any photo of mine from the gallery at Photography of Evan Pike. To get a copy of the photograph, click the “Share Photo” button which is above the photos in the galleries, then click on “get a link” for different size options.
• Write a short blog entry about any previous post on Japan Photo Guide and link back to the post you found it on. You can even write one disagreeing with me if you want.
• Write a short blog entry about any previous post on Evan Pike Photography Blog and link back to the post you found it on.
• Spend less than $10 at Photography of Evan Pike.

Get 10+ entries for doing each/any of the following:

• Spend more than $10 at Photography of Evan Pike for 15 entries. Buy any photograph, gift item (like a cup, magnet, puzzle, and so on) or combination of both and for every $10 you spend, you get 15 entries. Spend $20, you get 30 entries!
• Contribute to Japan Photo Guide for up to 20 entries! You can write about any place in Japan or about Japanese culture…even if I have already wrote about it. You get 10 entries for just submitting it to me by email (not submitting it by comment but you still have to post a comment on this post to make sure I received your submission) and another 10 bonus entries if your post is good and I decide it makes the cut. I may or may not use it before the contest is over, but if I accept it, whether I post it before or after the contest ends, you will still get the 20 entries. 150 word minimum, MUST BE YOUR OWN ORIGINAL WRITING, photographs not necessary and by submitting to me, you agree to let me use and post it here on Japan Photo Guide. You will be given credit and a link if you have something you want me to link to.

Good luck with the contest, check back for updates and let me know if you have any questions!

Shīsā (シーサー) (Okinawan: siisaa) (alternative spelling shishi or shisaa) is a traditional Ryukyuan decoration, often found in pairs, resembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawa mythology. Many people put a pair of shisa on their rooftops or flanking the gates to their houses. Shisa are wards, believed to protect from various evils. When found in pairs, the shisa on the left traditionally has a closed mouth, and the one on the right an open mouth. The open mouth to ward off evil spirits, and the closed mouth to keep good spirits in.

Originally pairs like these were called “shisa and guardian dogs”: the right with its mouth opened is the guardian, the left with its mouth closed is the shisa. Some people believe that one is male and the other is female, and provide various justifications for which is which; for example, “the female has her mouth shut as she should” or “the male has his mouth shut to hold in all the family’s good fortune”. (Compare this to the distinction between male and female guardian lions in Chinese culture.)

The shisa, like the koma-inu (lion dogs), is a variation of the guardian lions (”fu dogs”) from China. The shisaa, or lion dog, is an Okinawan cultural artifact. In magic typology, they might be also be classified as gargoyle beasts. They are traditionally used to ward off evil spirits.

You will see these for sale just about everywhere you go in Okinawa and while there are a lot that seem to be mass produced, you can find some that are unique and made by local artists that put their personal touch on their work. My personal favorite are the shisa by Mitsuo, his gallery is called Shisa Mansion, or in Japanese シーサーマンション. Mitsuo’s Shisa Mansion gallery is in Japanese, but here is a link where you can see photos of his work. Below is the style I picked out.

Shisa Mansion

Of course Okinawa also has great snorkeling, scuba diving and seafood. Not to mention it has been heavily influenced by a few different cultures to make for an interesting and diverse atmosphere. Oh and they have this dish called taco rice, which after eating everything imaginable from the ocean during my stay in Japan, was more delicious than it probably really should have been. Even though I probably saw a few too many castles and didn’t go to the beach as much as I would have wanted to, I was really glad that Okinawa was the last place I visited before leaving Japan.

Here is some more general information about Okinawa, from Japan Guide.com:

Okinawa’s climate is subtropical, with temperatures barely falling below 15 degrees in winter. The seas surrounding Okinawa’s islands are considered among the world’s most beautiful with coral reefs and abundant marine wildlife. Consequently, snorkeling and scuba diving are among Okinawa’s top attractions.

The islands making up Okinawa Prefecture, are also known as the Ryukyu Islands, named after the native culture, which is distinctly different from that of the rest of Japan in terms of language, cuisine, arts, etc.

An independent kingdom and tributary state to China for several centuries, the Ryukyu Islands came under control of the Satsuma feudal fief (today’s Kagoshima Prefecture) in the 17th century, and were made a Japanese prefecture in 1879, accompanied by efforts to assimilate the native population. But despite these past efforts, the Ryukyuan culture survived and is now Okinawa’s other main attraction.

More of Okinawa coming soon!

This post was written by Greg Logan. In addition all photos were taken by Greg. Greg’s blog can be found here.

Before I go on to tell you that climbing Fuji will make you three inches taller, will give you a full head of hair and put ten years on your life, I feel obligated to point out that a certain photographer/blogger/climber/whiner never actually made it to the summit of the mountain and therefore, in my opinion, lacks the steely resolve and mental fortitude to make a sound judgment on the merits of completing the ascent. And frankly, I don’t know if he would have appreciated the sunrise at the top with all those tears in his eyes.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get down to brass tacks: Should you or shouldn’t you climb Mount Fuji?

Is it exhausting? Yep. Is it crowded? Oh lord yes. Is it freezing on top? You’d better believe it. Is it worth it? Hell yes!

The Long Road Up

My ascent of Fuji began around 8 o’clock when the bus from Shinjuku station dumped me and my 2 intrepid friends off at the Kawaguchiko 5th Stage, by far the most popular starting point for climbers. After slipping on another layer of clothing and a bit of carbo loading (as all the restaurants were already closed! grrrr), we made our way to the trail head. We started off at an easy, but deliberate pace, taking rests whenever needed. Unfortunately, aside from the company of your fellow travelers and a remarkably brilliant night sky that is no loner veiled by the bright lights of Tokyo, there isn’t a whole lot to say for the hike; it is what it is, five to seven hours or walking uphill in the dark.

Alas, at 1:30 in the morning I made the difficult decision to forgo one of these two luxuries; the two friends I was with just weren’t maintaining a pace that would get the three of us to the summit by sunrise. With visions of photographic resplendence I said goodbye to them and didn’t see them until I had descended to the base of the mountain at 9am the next morning.

Now free to go at my own pace, I began tearing up the mountain at a pace I wasn’t entirely aware I was capable of. This may have cut significant time off of my climb had I started this pace lower on the mountain, but at higher altitudes with the trail narrowing, and with several thousand people climbing the mountain in peak season, bottlenecking was inevitable. There were moments when I would stand for 5-10 minutes at a time without taking a single step towards my goal. Antsy from my new found burst of energy and with my date with the sunrise, I began to politely work my way through the crowds (read: shove). Whenever there was breathing room I would charge ahead, weaving my way through climbers with the agility of a running back (going up hill, slipping on volcanic rock), until I would hit the next bottleneck.

The Payoff

After all the climbing and slipping and waiting, I reached the top with about a half hour to spare. After pushing my way through the throngs of people at the top, I walked a few hundred yards along the edge of the mountain’s massive crater and hunkered down in front of a photogenic Torii gate to wait for sunrise. However, the warm glow of accomplishment was short-lived; with the mountain no longer shielding me from the wind and the sun not yet up, my body temperature began to plummet. I sat there, more impatient than uncomfortable, hoping my uncontrollable shivering would coax the sun up a few minutes earlier. Soon enough, the hue of where sky met earth began to change from black to indigo. From indigo to pale blue. From pale blue to hazel to yellow to orange. Finally, as the sun crept into view, a brilliant red stretched across the horizon. Even more awe-inspiring was panorama below, now exposed by the rising sun. Hills, fields and lesser mountains, all from over 2 miles up; like looking down from an airplane, but without view-constricting windows or stale peanuts. I spent the next half hour or so taking pictures, warming up and generally feeling pretty good about myself. (Go me!)

After the sun was up and the day was on, I made my way around the monumental crater of Fuji. Stopping to occasionally take in the sheer scope of the mountain, and once on the far side of the mountain to snap a few pics of Fuji’s impressive shadow, the lap took me about an hour to complete. If weather permits and you’ve got the time/inclination, this really isn’t something you should skip. Hell, you’ve come this far right!?

The Descent

By the time I started down the mountain I had been awake for over 20 hours, 7 or which had been spent on my feet walking uphill. With no sleep, no motivation and no life left in my limbs, the descent wasn’t something I was exactly looking forward to. The volcanic rock was course and difficult to walk on, the angle was awkward for my knees and the walk down appeared to be as crowded as the climb up. On the bright side, with the sun now high in the sky, I was able to strip down to my shorts and a t-shirt (only 3 hours after the frigid pre-sunrise!). The descent was shaping up to be much slower and uncomfortable than I had expected it to be until I came to realization that was both brilliant and counter intuitive.

If you have the energy and the chutzpah, I actually recommend running down the mountain. That’s right, running! I can’t explain it, but my footing was surer, it was easier on my knees and the whole thing went a hell of a lot faster. That being said, rocks on the Kawaguchiko trail are uneven, so plan on slipping occasionally no matter what method you choose. If you do decide to run, be prepared to weave through the large crowds and to catch the occasional stink-eye from elderly locals, taking their time down the mountain. You might even try descending on the Subashiri or Gotemba routes. While not popular for going up, their fine ash paths are ideal for taking long, sliding strides (like a standing glissage) down the mountain. Running, I made it down the mountain in two hours. Expect it to take double that if you’re walking.

Advice:

Who can/should do the climb…

Although many people do the climb just to check it off their life list, I suspect there’s a certain breed of people who truly enjoy climbing Fuji. The type who dig large holes in the backyard as kids for no other reason other than the need to exert energy or those with inferiority problems who wish to look down from their Olympus on the plebeians below and laugh contemptuously. I’d like to think I fall into the former camp.

The lunatic fringe aside, anyone who’s in moderately good shape should be able to make the climb. If you think you’re cool with walking up a gradual incline for 6 hours, then I wouldn’t worry too much. Even better- If you can run a few miles or play sports for an hour or so, Fuji will be a cake walk. Those with knee problems should take heed of the descent; if you have problems running down hills or going down stairs this might be particularly uncomfortable.

What you’ll need…

• Layers and rain gear - Be prepared for a wide temperature range. I suspect the temperature at the top was between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit while only 3 hours later, during the descent, it felt like 70 to 80 degrees to me. Bring plenty of layers (synthetic will keep you drier than cotton if it rains) that can be easily slipped on and off. And don’t forget your rain gear! You may not need it, but if ever there was an argument for ‘better safe than sorry’ this would be it.
• Food - Pack plenty of both food and water for the trip as both are overly expensive on the mountain. I recommend foods that are calorically dense (high calorie, low weight), have some protein and complex carbs to keep you fueled for extended periods of time and, of course, aren’t perishable. GORP or trail mix (dried fruit, nuts, your favorite cereal, maybe some M&Ms) and energy bars (mmm….SoyJoy) are always good bets. I also packed things like anpan, youkan, pretzels and those squeeze, energy jellies you can find at convenience stores.
• Water - I recommend at least a half gallon. I drink more water than most people and I went through a gallon and a half in the 24 hours. Water is heavy, but if you’re okay with lugging it around, the more you pack, the less you’ll have to buy. Don’t skimp on water either; dehydration can exacerbate the effects of altitude sickness.
• Headlamp - You will be climbing in the dark and they don’t light the way, so bring a headlamp. You could probably get by with a flashlight, but I recommend having your hands free, especially when the footing gets a little unsure.
• Money - If you’ve packed adequate food and water and you’re not a sucker for souvenirs, you won’t need a whole lot of money for Fuji. However, they will try to nickel and dime you as much as they can. Food is overpriced, but then again, after climbing for 6 hours in the dark cold, that 800 円 Cup Noodle sounds like a steal. Water gets progressively more expensive as you go up, starting at about 250 and reaching 500 at the summit. Finally, unless you’ve packed a portable catheter, you’re going to have to pay to use the bathroom. Again, prices go up as you do, so expect to pay 200-300 yen at the top. While most of the bathrooms work on the honor system, the ones at the top have attendants who take your money before you do your business. The scariest moment I had during the trek happened right before leaving the summit when I stopped to go to the bathroom and realized all I had was a 10,000 yen bill ($100). I was sure the restroom attendant would turn me away, not having adequate change, making an already uncomfortable descent more so. But the man smiled and said it wasn’t a problem and gave me my change without a second thought (God bless this country!).

What you won’t need…

• Skip the O2 - Unless you’re especially young, especially old, or have breathing problems, I highly discourage you from using bottled oxygen. It’s overpriced, unnecessary (for 99% of the hikers), and has the potential to do more harm than good. If you were to use oxygen during the entire ascent only to run out at the top, you won’t have given your body enough time to acclimatize to a low oxygen environment and stand a greater risk of altitude sickness. Do yourself a favor and take plenty of breaks and drink lots of water.
• Fancy hiking or climbing equipment - A good pair of sturdy shoes or boots that you don’t mind getting dirty and maybe a set of trekking poles, though given the crowds I think they’d be more of a burden. As for the wooden ones they sell at the base to be branded a the various stations along the trail, I would forgo these as well. If you’re like me, the idea of spending a few hundred yen at each station (with a dozen or more stations) and lugging the thing back on the airplane, doesn’t sound particularly appealing or practical.

When to go…

Unless your schedule prevents you from doing otherwise, I highly recommend climbing during the summer (late July through August). I know people who have gone early in the season (June) and late (September) and both had to deal with rain, frigid cold and a few didn’t get the chance to see the sunrise. Of course climbing in August does mean you will be climbing during peak season, dealing with the crowds, the lines and the waiting. But when considering the likelihood for better weather and the alternative’s potential for misery, I have few qualms about waiting in line in exchange for general pleasantness.

To stay on the mountain or not…

When climbing Fuji, you have two basic options: to do the whole hike in one push or to sleep in one of the huts on the mountain, get up before dawn and finish the climb. I know people who swear by sleeping on the mountain, but the way I see it, because they pack you into those cold, loud bedrooms like sardines, you’re going to be exhausted and sleep deprived no matter what you do, so you might as well save yourself 6000-7000 円 and just do it all in one go.

Final thoughts…

It’s worth mentioning that I climbed Mount Fuji during a particularly meaningful and pivotal point in my life. I had just spent the past two years living and teaching in Northern Japan and the weeks leading up to Fuji were filled with intense packing, teary goodbyes, a handful of stunningly beautiful festivals. Those last few weeks represented what I love most about Japan- the people, the culture, the landscape and my time on Mount Fuji, quite literally, topped off these experiences. There hasn’t been a day since I’ve been home that I haven’t missed Japan, scheming of ways to get back, and with that in mind, I suspect climbing Fuji may not carry the same metaphorical weight for you as it did for me.

There’s a saying (bordering on cliche) in Japan that a wise man will make sure to climb Mt. Fuji once in their lifetime, but only a fool would climb it twice. That being said, armed with the wisdom of experience and feeling the existential fulfillment as you watch the sun rise from Japan’s highest point you understand why the foolhardy might be inclined to do the whole thing again.