Great read. Took me back to when I lived out there (Tokyo predominantly, visiting very different places to the areas you went to on your trip). Shame you could'nt get up Mount Fuji - they say everyone must climb it once in their life but only a fool climbs it twice.

I blogged about it on my page just the other day. Ten hours to climb, one to run down it (to fix a shoulder injury). It's a beautiful mountain, I guess you went too late in the year. There's a lot to be said about visiting Japan in the late spring, particularly if you're into seeing acre upon acre of cherry blossom. And climbing one of the world's most iconic volcanoes.

Thanks for posting.