Camping at the Foot of a Giant When it comes to “galactic scale” campgrounds in Japan, Fumotoppara ふもとっぱら in the Asagiri Kogen highlands of Shizuoka Prefecture reigns supreme. Spreading out at the foot of majestic Mount Fuji, the site is a behemoth;...
Hiked on May 20, 2025 . Karasawa Junction 涸沢分岐 – Hanadate 石楠立 – Mt. Banjiro-dake 万二郎岳 Duration: 5 hours Distance: 9 km Elevation change: 366 metres Highest point: 1,406 metres Start: Amagi juso...
Hiked on Dec 2, 2023 . Umanose Miharashidai 馬ノ背見晴台 – Mt. Echizen 越前岳 – Mt. Kuro-dake 黒岳 Duration: 5 hours Distance: 9.8 km Elevation change: 624 metres Highest point: 1504 metres Start: Jurigi Bus Stop Finish: Ashitaka Tozan...
Hiked from July 21 to July 29, 2023 . Hirogawara 広河原 to Akaishi Onsen Shirakabaso 赤石温泉白樺荘 This is a long and demanding multi-day hike suitable for experienced hikers. Do not attempt this hike unless you have experience in route-finding. Carry...
Getting Down to the Nuts and Bolts From July 21st to July 29th, 2023, I completed a full-length traverse of the entire Southern Alps from Hirogawara in Yamanashi Prefecture to Akaishi Onsen Shirakabaso hot spring in Shizuoka Prefecture, a distance...
Hiked on Oct 29, 2022 . Mt. Ryugadake 竜ヶ岳 – Hashita-toge – 端足峠 – Mt. Amagadake 雨ヶ岳 Duration: 2 days Distance: 16.5 km Elevation change: 1154 metres Highest point: 1964 metres Start: Lake Motosu Iriguchi...
Bask in Fujisan’s Shadow On my latest getaway to try and sneak in one final hike before returning to my teaching post, I spent a night at Fumotoppara campground just a hop, skip and jump away from Mt. Ryugadake. Fumotoppara is located in Shizuoka...
Hiked on Dec 16, 2020 . Kintoki-jinja Shrine 金時神社 – Mt. Nagao 長尾山 – Otome-toge 乙女峠 Duration: 3.5 hours Distance: 6.3 km Elevation change: 517 metres Highest point: 1212 metres Start: Kintoki Jinja...
Hiked on Jul 25, 2019 . Mt. Senmai-dake 千枚岳 – Mt. Warusawa 悪沢岳 – Mt. Eboshi 烏帽子岳 Duration: 5 days Distance: 29.1 km Elevation change: 2021 metres Highest point: 3141 metres Start: Sawarajima Lodge...