I. Mt. Fuji is the highest point in Japan. There are a few months in the summer when it is not snow capped - hence the opportunity to climb it. The peak is at 3776m. I can't recall when or why I latched onto this dream, but this seemed like the year - so off we went. And since the life insurance folks were slow in process - I had to survive in order to keep working on that hurdle.
There are several bunk houses located fairly close together and collectively labeled at each station. We went via a tour package that took us by bus from Shinjuku to the 5th station (2305m/7560ft). Then we had a guide that shepherded 60 of us up to the last 8th station.
Even though it was partly cloudy/sunny throughout the day - it had been dry. 
So we bedded down, but prior to the 2am departure 
from the Fuji-san hotel for the final leg to the summit, it moisured up to a full storm. 
We were supposed to arrive by the 4:40a Sunrise. There wasn't likely to be any visability so we slept some more. Some of us were exhausted, and too broke to buy some needed supplies anyway. But it was a nice adventure and especially nice to see so many committed folks going up even as we sloshed in our shoes going down. 
Too soon my legs were so rubbery, Kichan even slung me over his shoulder and carried me for awhile until he tired. Then a good samaritan gave me a walking stick (pole) that really was my salvation the rest of the way. Near the end of the decent, my final slip on wet cobelstones left me with a few bruises and pain in the rear. A return to the Tokyo humidity was preceded by a visit to a bath-house that overlooked the lake.
II. Since Monday was a holiday [Marine Day] there was an opportunity to go out to John's farm and work a bit. My attire was 
weak but I was soon educated. I didn't work much but saw others dressing and harvesting tomatoes, eggplant, corn and many other fruits and veggies still percollating;
I saw the neighbor using an air-
blower to polinate the rice.
After I saw the Watanabes go out I followed, but after providing breakfast for some insects I was coached to put on some garb. I spelled John a bit and then we went in for a nice shower and lunch before we scurried off to the train station for a Shinkansen blip to the Airport.
Lots of thanks for the hospitality and especially to Hiroko who worked hard to put up with Dorff communication skills and needs and constant schedule resets.
