Hike Northern Japan and Mt Fuji Climb

16 days (Tokyo)

Destinations visited: Japan, Tokyo, World

Grading:

Introductory level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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Hike the stunning mountain and forest trails of northern Japan and a climb on the iconic Mt Fuji before ending in Tokyo

The northern regions of Japan offer world class hiking opportunities that leave our travellers raving! Our itinerary covers 3 distinct regions: Tohoku, the tradition-tinged landscape of north Honshu; and volcanic Hokkaido, the customary island homeland of the North Pacific Ainu people; and a climb on Mount Fuji. From the bustling metropolis of Tokyo to the small temple town of Nikko and hot spring rich Zao Onsen, each are complete contrasts. We explore on foot the mountains, forests and alpine lakes above Zao Onsen, and venture further north by bullet train to Matsushima Bay. The Japanese rate the rugged coastline and pine-covered islands in the area as one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan. We hop on the bullet train passing through a 40km underwater tunnel to the northernmost island of Hokkaido. We spend the night in Sapporo, and continue into the heart of the Daisetsu Mountain Range to Mount Asahidake, the highest peak on Hokkaido and a series of wonderful day walks. Our final destination and grand finale is the amazing climb on Mount Fuji and the summit of Japan.

Highlights

Climb iconic Mount Fuji - the highest mountain in Japan
The bustling streets of Tokyo
Summit sacred Mt Nantai in Nikko National Park
Soak in ancient hot springs
Trek around a volcanic crater lake
Walk forest trails or cruise between pine-covered islands in Matsushima Bay
Summit Hokkaido's tallest peak and hike in the untouched wilderness of Japan’s largest national park
Down a few glasses of Sapporo beer in the eponymous capital city of Hokkaido
Stay in traditional ryokan inns and dine on home-cooked local specialties
Travel by bullet train through the countryside

Itinerary

Day 1 Join Tokyo

On arrival at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport make your way through immigration and customs. Closer to your departure you will be given easy to use, detailed directions on how to travel to our starting point hotel using Japan’s efficient train system. First impressions of the industrial outer suburbs of Tokyo - a seemingly endless display of concrete and elevated highways - give little clue about the natural pleasures of coming days. There will be a group meeting in the hotel at 6pm, followed by an optional visit to a restaurant in the area for our first Japanese meal. Please note that your room may not be available until check in time at 2pm. If arriving early the hotel will mind your luggage if you want to begin exploring the city. If arriving at the hotel late at night, please check yourselves in and note instructions about tomorrow’s meeting.

Day 2 Transit by train to Nikko National Park

Meet (with baggage) in the hotel lobby at 9 am, after checking out. In the morning, we will leave the capital on an express train to the temple town of Nikko. We will spend some time in town visiting the famous shrines and temples built in honour of Japan’s first Tokugawa Shogun, before catching a bus up to Lake Chuzenji to hike in Great Nikko National Park. We will stay tonight in a traditional hot spring inn, sleeping on futons on tatami mat floors, and enjoy a gourmet meal of local specialities.

Day 3 Hike Mt Nantai (2486m)

Mountains have always been a central part of both the Shinto and Buddhist religions in Japan, and Mt Nantai (2486m), which towers above Nikko, has been a pilgrimage destination since the 8th century. We will spend a challenging day climbing to the shrine atop this mountain and, if time permits, follow a ridge trail between Mt Nantai and Mt Nyuhouzan, before heading back to our inn for a hot spring bath and a home-cooked dinner. Approx hiking ascent / distance / hours - 1212m; 8km; 6-7 hours.

Day 4 Transit by bullet train to Zao Onsen

A day of northbound train transits from Nikko to Zao Onsen, a hot spring resort located on the foothills of Mt Zao. We will enjoy our first ride on Japan’s famous bullet train today, to the regional capital city of Yamagata. From Yamagata, it’s a one-hour bus ride into the countryside to the onsen town of Zao Onsen. Overnight traditional inn.

Day 5 Climb Kumano-dake (1841m) and Katta-dake (1758m)

Our aim today is to climb Kumano-dake (1841m) for stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges. “Yamagata”, the name of the prefecture we’re in, literally means “the shape of mountains,” and that’s what you’ll see in every direction. After summiting Kumano-dake, we will head down to the sparkling waters of Lake Okama, a volcanic crater lake and back up to summit the peak of Katta-dake (1758m). Descend by the Katta path, and spend the night in a family run inn at the bottom of the mountain. Approx hiking ascent / distance / hours - 181m; 6km; 2-3 hours.

Day 6 Climb Sugi-ga-mine Peak (1745m), Byobu-dake (1825m), and Mt Fubo (1705m)

Starting from the Katta path, we will continue to hike to Sugi-ga-mine Peak (1745m) and then into Shibakusa marshland. After that, it’s another climb up to the peak of Byobu-dake (1825m), and along another mountain ridge to the summit of Mt Fubo (1750m). Then it’s a steep descent to the trailhead, where we will catch taxis to the train station, and the train to our inn in Matsushima Bay. Approx hiking ascent / distance / hours - 240m; 11.5km; 3-4 hours.

Day 7 Day hike or sightseeing cruise in Matsushima

Matsushima literally means ‘pine island’. This is not false advertising. The rugged coastlines and pine-covered islands in Matsushima Bay are widely known in Japan as one of the country’s three most beautiful sights. As hard as it may have been to choose only three beautiful sights in Japan, it’s easy to understand why Matsushima made the cut. You have a few options for our day here: take some relaxing strolls along the beach, or go for a sightseeing cruise among the islands, or go for a day hike in the nearby hills. Enjoy a hearty seafood meal and a soak in the onsen tonight at our traditional inn.

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Day 8 Transit to Sapporo

We catch a series of trains today, traveling from Matsushima to Sapporo, the capital city of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Our day takes us from the shores of Matsushima to the bullet train station in Sendai city, then by bullet train all the way to the end of the line in Hachi-no-he at the tip of Japan’s main island. From there, we will catch an express train north, zipping under the ocean via the 23.3km Seikan tunnel and to the capital of Hokkaido. In Sapporo tonight, you’ll have a chance to enjoy urban delights. Overnight ryokan.

Day 9 Climb Asahi-dake (2290m)

We will head as far into the wilderness as it’s possible to go in Japan today. First, we will catch a train from Sapporo to Asahikawa city in the middle of the island. From Asahikawa, it’s a two-hour bus ride to the hot springs of Asahidake Onsen, located in Japan's largest national park - the Daisetsuzan National Park. From here we will hike to the summit of Asahi-dake (2290m), which is Hokkaido's tallest mountain and an active volcano that last erupted about 600 years ago. We will then descend to Asahidake Onsen village by hiking halfway, and using the cable-car the rest of the way. Relax at our onsen lodging. Approx hiking ascent / distance / hours - 1190m; 9km; 6-7 hours.

Day 10 Hike Tomuraushi (2141m)

Today we will trek to Tomuraushi (2141m), another great peak of the Daisetsuzan mountain range. The trek crosses ski fields filled with wild flowers, and we will enjoy spectacular views from Tomuraushi-koen. We will end the day with a hot spring bath and meal at a traditional inn at Tomuraushi Onsen village. Approx hiking ascent / distance / hours - 1181m; 11km; 11-12 hrs.

Day 11 Transfer back to Sapporo

Today we will head back to Sapporo city. Free afternoon to relax or explore the sights on your own. Overnight ryokan.

Day 12 Hike to Kurodake (1984m)

This morning we will be taking a day walk to Kurodake (1984m), or "Black Peak", which is famous for its spectacular autumn foliage. You may even spot a deer or two. Optional cable car to go down. Overnight ryokan in Sapporo. Approx hiking ascent / distance / hours - 1324m; 9km; 3-4 hours.

Day 13 Transfer to Tokyo

We will go back to Tokyo today using local trains and bullet train. 9 hours journey thorough Northern Japan. Overnight hotel in Tokyo.

Day 14 Commence Mt Fuji climb

We will start early today, taking a bus from Tokyo to Fuji Kawaguchiko 5th station (2304m) where we will start our Mt Fuji climb by the Yoshida route. We will hike up to the 8th station huts (approx 3100m) where we will be sleeping. At first we will be walking on ashes which are slippery and tricky to walk on. Close to the 7th station, the path will become rocky. After we have settled into our mountain hut, we will rest early and get up around midnight to summit before the sunrise. Approx hiking ascent / hours - 796m; 3 hours.

Day 15 Summit Mt Fuji (3776m). Return to Tokyo.

We will get up around midnight to summit Mt Fuji before the sunrise. Don't forget your headlamp, and wear warm windproof clothes and a rainjacket. The summit can be below 0c even in summer. Afterwards we will descend Mt Fuji. Approx hiking altitude / hours - 676m ascent (3-4 hours); 1472m descent (4-6 hours). Stop for a well-deserved soak in a nearby onsen, before returning to Tokyo. This evening we will head out for our final dinner together. Overnight hotel.

Day 16 In Tokyo, trip concludes

Our trip concludes this morning after breakfast. Your tour leader will be available to help orient you to points of departure or offer consultation for onward travels in Japan.

Additional Information

Inclusions

15 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 13 dinners
Expert bilingual group leader
Comfortable hotels on a twin share basis
Traditional 'ryokan' inns
All internal transportation
Japan Rail Pass (2 weeks)
National park fees
Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in the itinerary
Medical kit
Pre-departure Information

Summary

13 nights hotel/traditional inn
2 nights mountain hut

Trip Main Activities

Trekking
Day Walking
Adventure Touring

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Our accommodation in Tokyo and Sapporo will be at comfortable international-style hotels, but in the countryside we will be staying largely in atmospheric, traditional inns known as “ryokan” and “minshuku”. In this Japanese-style accommodation, we will be sleeping on futon bedding laid out on tatami mat floors. Traditional inns are such a delicate environment, with compact spaces and displayed heirlooms, that for the first encounter something of a bull-in-a-china-shop feeling is inevitable - especially in the entrance as you put on and remove your shoes. But this reaction normalises as we and the innkeepers get used to each others’ ways. In minshuku and ryokan it is usual for Japanese groups to sleep in the same room altogether, modified by sliding partitions. Our inns understand that westerners may be more comfortable with privacy, and will try to assign two-person rooms when there are few other guests. Please be aware that room separation throughout the entire tour is very difficult to guarantee. If you require more information on this, please contact our office staff. Please also note that at the ryokan hot showers and tub bathing is at the end of the day when a communal bath is heated (women and men are separated). It is usual that in the morning only wash basins are available. Japanese enjoy bathing together, conversing quietly as they soak. This is a surprisingly good opportunity to meet the locals. However, if privacy is an issue this may be arranged by careful scheduling within the group. Toilets in the rural areas are often of the squatting variety, however at some inns the toilet facilities will be Western style. The mountain huts we stay in on this trip are quite basic, and you will need to pack some personal items in your daypack for the overnight stay. Whilst staying in the mountain huts, there are no showers and no hot water. Toilets are available at the huts. Your main luggage can be kept at the ryokan or hotel to be collected next day when we descend from the mountains.

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack. A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking.

What You Carry

In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing, a rainjacket, water bottle, film and camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc.

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