Things to do in Japan

Hiking Japan’s most iconic mountain

This experience helps you understand the volcano’s sheer power and great natural life source…

By Chieko Ando

Guide in Fujinomiya

Mount Fuji in Japan best discovered on a scenic crater hike

In the eyes of the Japanese people, Mount Fuji, the country’s symbolic mountain, has forever been held in high regard. At the beginning of this experience, we pay our respects at the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Shrine where the deity, Mount Fuji, is said to be enshrined. It’s tradition that you purify yourself in holy spring water before the ascent, which I believe helps you understand the significance of the volcano, its sheer power and great natural life source.

The Fujinomiya Trail starts at Mount Fuji’s 5^th station at an altitude of 2,400 metres. The route offers easy, pleasant hiking, taking in sloping rockscape to horizons of forests that peep through the clouds. There are times when, on the mountain peak or the ridges of the Hoei Crater, the fog lifts and you have the most magnificent views. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean and even as far as Tokyo. It makes you feel like the gods of Mount Fuji really do exist.

If the weather co-operates you can enjoy a picnic just beneath crater. It’s an opportune moment to reflect upon the importance of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and how Mountain Fuji’s protection extends over Japan’s nature, culture and economy. Or just soak up all the feelings that come with scaling the country’s tallest mountain and the seventh highest peak in the world.

Alfred & Chieko Ando

Before guiding in Fujinomiya, Chieko travelled to Africa to research gorillas for 13 years addressing environmental and conservation issues. During her time here she learned about how ecotourism can be used to boost conservation while honing her fluency in English. Since guiding at the foot of Mount Fuji, she has worked closely with Fujinomiya’s residents creating eco experiences that fuse the traditional local stories with symbolic Mount Fuji.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Richard, who's travelled extensively in Japan. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the tea devotee who'll introduce you to the ceremony surrounding Japan's national drink, the noodle guru who'll teach you how to make the perfect bowl of soba and the ryokan owner who'll tutor you in the relaxing art of the onsen.

Richard Pearson

Travel Expert for Alfred&

The term ‘well-travelled’ is an understatement when describing Richard. They've been swept up in the cultural portals of Japan and China and fallen in love with Vietnam’s historical melting pot and romantic karsts of Halong Bay. Their mantra is ‘expect the unexpected,’ which is why they find India so attractive; its manic city streets, stunning yet seldom-visited temples and off-road safaris in the wildest tiger reserves.
Takeaki Shibuya

Experience coordinator for Destination Asia, Alfred&'s partners in Japan

After 14 years of experience travelling in more than 70 countries as a tour conductor and planner, Takeaki has come home to Japan, which he truly believes is the most unique place in the world to explore. His unusual experiences are a source of creation which draws out the esoteric and the hidden of Japan.
Ms Makishima

Nakai-san at Gion Yoshi-Ima

A long-time employee at Gion Yoshi-Ima and resident of Kyoto, Ms Makishima embodies the Japanese spirit of hospitality: a welcoming character, dedication to her work, and joy in the everyday. Care and devotion is given to her guests and she is always on hand to attend to needs or offer advice to adventurous travellers.
Fabien Fleury

Wine educator, oenophile and guide

Tokyo-based Fabien was born in Saintes, near Cognac, in the south-west of France. As a boy, he used to help his grandfather take care of his vineyard, which instilled in him a love of the whole process of wine-making. Fabien has been giving tasting seminars to wine lovers between Europe and Japan for 10 years and enjoys sharing his expertise on tours of Japan’s wine-making Yamanashi area outside Tokyo.
Ms Akira

Member of the hospitality team at Oyado Koto no Yume

Ms Akira is part of the hospitality team at Koto no Yume, a ryokan in the traditional town of Takayama. Living in a city steeped in culture, she enjoys helping guests to get to know a little more of the traditional arts and crafts, as well as the beautiful sites of Takayama.
Satoshi Inuki

Japanese literature enthusiast & one of Alfred&’s guides in Japan

Satoshi is originally from a small town in Hyogo prefecture. In his early 20s he lived in Edinburgh where he met many people from all over the world who asked him questions about Japan. This prompted him to study more about his own country’s culture, history and traditions. He moved to Kyoto around 10 years ago and became a licensed guide in 2011, since when he has come to know every inch of both his new home town and destinations such as Hiroshima, Okayama and Naoshima to the west.

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Things to do in Japan

Hiking Japan’s most iconic mountain

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Alfred & Chieko Ando

Plan your holiday withAlfred&