Climbing Mt. Fuji

This is a backdated passage written by one of our staff members about her climb up Mt. Fuji. Our Mt. Fuji Climbing Tour is scheduled for sale in late spring of 2012. Information on how to book the tour will be uploaded to our website when this tour goes on sale. We request you do not contact us regarding this tour until it is on our website, because we will be unable to respond to any requests regarding the tour until it is on sale.

One of the most popular summer adventures in Japan is climbing Mt. Fuji. This report will show you my second challenge to reach the summit and view the sunrise - "the goraiko".

My challenge of last year failed because of the bad weather at the 8th station. During the last long-weekend, 16th-17th of July, I joined the mountain climbing tour as revenge. Fortunately, the weather was beautiful this time! On the first day, we climbed from the 5th station (2,304 meters) to Toyokan lodge at the end of 7th station (2,910 meters).

Overlook Lake Yamanaka from Toyokan lodge.

After dinner and short nap, we left Toyokan lodge at around 11:00 p.m. and continue ascending towards the top. Although it was in the middle of the night, the path was brightly-lit by moon, stars and flashlights of climbers. The condition was totally different form the last year's climb in a nasty storm...
At around 4:00 a.m., we finally arrived at the summit and waited the sunrise with about 10,000 climbers... and...

4:31 a.m. ...

A breathtaking view of the sunrise from the summit of Mt. Fuji, the highest point in Japan.

It was faster than I expected that the sun showed its whole face. Lights reflected from Lake Yamanaka and the seas of clouds were just fantastic. Many people might pray for the recovery of North East Japan from here.

Then we started descending. It was freezing cold around 5 degree C before the sunrise but the temperature increase immediately once the sun appears. Unfortunately I had anemia by this sudden change of temperature and thin air but the beautiful scenery of sea clouds and extensive forest brought relief for me.

Finally we came back to the 5th station after 5 hours descending. I was so exhausted but really filled with a sense of fulfillment. Furthermore, I felt it is really important to prepare well before the climb to enjoy the adventure safely.

Anyway my challenge from last summer has finally completed. I am really glad that my revenge to reach the summit and to see the sunrise has been achieved. If you are planning to climb Mt. Fuji, I strongly recommend joining the tour and climbing with professional mountain guide for your safety.

by Akane Suga/JTB Sunrise Tours Staff

1-Day Fuji-Hakone Manga

This may be old news to visitors of JAPANiCan.com, but we thought we would write it here for all of you guys who have never been.

An American manga (comic) artist recently rode on our Mt. Fuji-Hakone tour and drew a manga about his experience!

To see a comic of our most popular tour, please click here:
http://japan-articles.japanican.com/en/articles/manga_fuji_hakone.html

*Please note that this comic slightly differs from our normal Mt. Fuji-Hakone schedule. Sometimes the itinerary of the tour slightly differs due to the combination of the tour with other tours.

Our Most Popular Tours

Hi everyone! We often get asked about our most popular tours when we talk with our customers on the phone or on our tours. This list has changed slightly from our lists in previous years due to the fact that we have stopped the operation of some of our tours due to complications from the earthquake.

1. Mt. Fuji-Hakone 1-Day Tour
If you are looking to get up close and personal with Mt. Fuji, we highly recommend our best selling Mt. Fuji-Hakone tour. This tour takes you around and up (to the 5th Station) allowing you a chance to experience a variety of different views of Mt. Fuji.

Hakone is a popular onsen (hot springs) area outside of Tokyo, offering beautiful views of Japanese nature and Japan's national symbol of Mt. Fuji. If you are interested in spending the night in Hakone, we offer plans connected with our popular Mt. Fuji tour allowing you the chance to really experience the wonders of Japan.

2. The Shinkansen Tours: Kyoto 2-Day Train & Hotel Package
The Japan Rail Pass is a bargain, but only for those who are planning on traveling around the country of Japan. If you have limited time and do not have time to travel much, our train/accommodation to Kyoto (or any other place we offer Shinkansen packages to), this is the package for you! The following Shinkansen package which includes accommodation is cheaper than buying round-trip Bullet train tickets by themselves.

See the savings for yourself!

Round-trip Hikari Shinkansen tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto: 26,840yen

The Shinkansen Tours Kyoto 2-Day Train & Hotel Package (1-night Accommodation at the Karasuma Kyoto Hotel & Round-trip Hikari Shinkansen tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto): 19,900yen

3. Dynamic Tokyo
Our most popular Tokyo tour is back by popular demand starting from September! This tour visiting Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace Plaza, and Asakusa (by river cruise) is a must for people who have limited time in Tokyo but want to see all the sights. Not to mention, this tour also includes a delicious barbecue-style lunch!

If you have any questions about what tour to go on, feel free to call our call center and talk with one of our customer service representatives. We are waiting for your call!