We cruised along the banks of Lake Saiko as the sun's afternoon rays laid a welcomed warmth on my face (or maybe it was just the car's heater hehe). Mt. Fuji seemed closer and bigger from where we are as the dark clouds covering its peak cleared. Our host graciously offered to stop if I find some interesting spot I wanted to take a photo of. I replied with a polite "domo arigato gozaimasu" but I didn't think I still have the energy to compose a photo. I was contented with enjoying the view as the car followed the scenic winding road.
I was about to call it a day when I noticed a peculiar ice structure near the road. And so we stumbled upon the "ice field" of Saiko-Kawaguchiko.
I later read from a website that during mid-Jan to early Feb when the temperature is at its lowest, they hold the Saiko Kawaguchiko Ice Festival in Yachōnomori Park. One can enjoy the beautiful natural ice sculptures in this "ice garden" as well the scenic view Mt. Fuji.
The place was swarmed with tourists and photography enthusiasts. We went around the field while several of Simon and Garkunkel's hits (including Sound of Silence of course!) blared over huge speakers.
I found out that afternoon what it feels like to watch a blue-green wall of ice to the tune of Bridge Over Troubled Water.
At night they illuminate the ice with various colored lights and there is also a fireworks display. Unfortunately we did not stick around for the lights and fireworks display. It would have been interesting to find out the songs they will play with the fireworks. It was quite an ending to an already very exciting day.
7 comments:
nindot kaauu bai! even if i'm dead-tired, would've taken shot after shot of those ice formations. now, i can hear paul simon and art garfunkel singing in my head :-D
haha. thanks bai! it was really a surreal experience made more intense by their choice of soundtrack. parang hinde kami nasa japan that time (most of the japanese are "allergic" to eigu or english).
"made by letting water drip over a frame of tree branches and twigs"
ibig sabihin parang "dinidiligan" ang mga dahon tapos hahayaan na lang magyelo? cool.
tama ka zherwin, siguro may nakaiwan ng gripo na bukas one winter night kaya na discover nila yung ganyang paraan hehe.
I saw some "partly finished" ice sculptures and puro dried twigs and small branches yung inner frame nya.
thanks for dropping by bro.
Hi Allan! Those ice formations are amazing! I have never been to Japan. If I ever go there, I would love to visit that ice kingdom.
wow.. i wish i could go there.. wala pa man gud ko kagawas sa pilipinas oi... hehehe
Whoa ang ganda!
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