A Memorable Journey to Mt. Fuji: 

A Day Filled with Joy, Friendship, and Unforgettable Moments

My name is Nasim, and I have a deep passion for traveling. I work as a network engineer at NTT Communications, but traveling is my true love and I cherish the experiences and memories made with friends along the way. One such memorable journey was on July 14, 2024, when I had the pleasure of guiding Mufti Apu, Adita Apu, and her family to Mt. Fuji.

Preparing for the Journey
I first got in touch with Adita Apu through my brother, Ariyan, who is one of the best personalities I have ever met. Even before they arrived in Japan, I could tell that Adita Apu was a kind and cooperative person. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience, which made planning the trip a breeze. We discussed the plans for the trip, and everything was set for July 14th.

After finishing my night shift on July 13th, I quickly transitioned to working from home so I could join the tour with my friend Asif. I asked Asif to pick up our guests from Hotel Welco Narita, a hotel known for its convenient location near Narita Airport, at 7:20 am. After picking them up, they headed towards my home in Katsushika City, where I joined them around 9:40 am, and we began our journey towards Mt. Fuji.

The Road to Mt. Fuji
Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest peak, is a symbol of natural beauty and spiritual significance. Although the weather forecast showed clear skies the night before, the closer we got, the more clouds began to gather. Despite the less-than-perfect visibility, our guests were still thrilled by the breathtaking scenery around Lake Kawaguchi, a beautiful lake that reflects the stunning views of Mt. Fuji on clear days.

The three kids—Mahi, Maliha, and Manha—were full of energy and enthusiasm, constantly chatting about the beautiful landscapes and the wonders of Japan. Mahi, a brilliant student with a curious mind, impressed us all with his knowledge. His sister Maliha, the leader of the trio, was especially fascinated by Japan and was eager to bring back souvenirs for her friends. Manha, though quieter than the others, charmed us all with her sweet smile.

A Scenic Break and a Special Lunch
About an hour before reaching Lake Kawaguchi, we took a break at a nearby parking area on the highway. We made a quick call to a Halal restaurant to ensure lunch would be ready when we arrived. Once we reached the area, we headed straight to the Fuji Kawaguchiko Mosque, a mosque primarily maintained by Indonesian Muslims. While Asif and I performed the Juhar prayer at the mosque, Brother Saki and his kids enjoyed a thrilling ride on the lake in a speedboat.

Saki Bhaiya, a fun-loving and jolly person who works in an IT company in Bangladesh, kept everyone entertained with his experience and stories. We all gained a lot of knowledge from him, and his joyful personality added a lively vibe to the trip.

Although we initially planned to take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, which offers stunning views of Mt. Fuji from above, we had to cancel due to the thick cloud cover. Instead, we enjoyed a delicious meal at the Halal restaurant, where we indulged in hot udon, shrimp, chicken, and beef dishes. We took many photos and even met a Bangladeshi girl from the next district of my hometown, now living in Canada and married to an African man from Uganda. It was heartwarming to connect with someone from my home country.

Exploring Oishi Park and Beyond

After our satisfying lunch, we visited Oishi Park, a beautiful spot famous for its stunning lavender fields. The park offered magnificent views of the purple lavender flowers, which created a picturesque backdrop for our photos. The kids enjoyed ice cream while the adults browsed through the souvenir shops, picking up mementos to take home. Maliha, always eager to explore, was particularly excited about the souvenirs she found for her friends back home.

As we began our journey back to Narita, we stopped along the road to capture more photos of Lake Kawaguchi with Mt. Fuji in the background. Although the kids started to get a bit bored, the adults were still captivated by the beauty of the scenery. We also caught a glimpse of Fuji Q Highland, a popular amusement park known for its thrilling roller coasters, but due to time constraints, we couldn’t go inside.

A Heartwarming Farewell
After a long but fulfilling day, we headed back to Narita. Asif and I took turns driving to avoid fatigue, and I even caught a quick nap since I hadn’t slept the night before. When we finally dropped off our guests at their hotel, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Adita Apu gave me a gift of beef curry, cooked by her mother in Rangpur during Eid ul-Adha. It reminded me of home, and I was deeply touched by her kindness. Mufti Apu, who might have appeared in a TV commercial for Bangladesh Biman Airlines, also gifted me a delicious fish curry. Her stories of traveling the world with Biman were fascinating, and her way of speaking was captivating.

When I returned home, my wife Parisha and I enjoyed the delicious food together, and we will always remember this special day. It was more than just a tour; it was a day filled with love, friendship, and unforgettable memories. I may not earn money from these tours, but the joy and satisfaction I get from sharing these experiences with others make it all worthwhile.