Japan isn’t just temples and cities but it’s also mountains, misty valleys, and moments of absolute stillness. In the second half of our trip, we traded city crowds for cool alpine air and starry skies. We hiked to the summit of Mt. Fuji for sunrise above the clouds, explored the quiet beauty of Kamikochi National Park, and soaked in onsens surrounded by forest. If you’re craving nature, this is Japan at its purest.
Mt. Fuji: A Sunrise Above the Clouds
Climbing Mt. Fuji was hands down the most challenging and unforgettable part of our Japan adventure. We took the Yoshida Trail, which is the most popular route and for good reason. It has lots of huts along the way for rest, water, food (even vegan ramen!), and stamps. But don’t let that fool you because this hike demands preparation, stamina, and respect for the altitude.
If you’re coming from Tokyo or Hakone, make sure you arrive at Fuji Subaru 5th Station 11 a.m. at the latest. Buses are limited (about one per hour), and lines get long. We recommend arriving early and queuing ahead of departure time. Be sure to buy a round-trip bus ticket in advance to avoid stress.
This was one of our best decisions. Goraikoukan (8.5th Station) is the highest mountain hut on the Yoshida Trail, which means your sunrise summit push is shorter and you can sleep in just a bit longer than others. The hut was surprisingly clean, the staff friendly, and it even had organized sleeping areas with warm blankets. Everyone wakes up at 2:00–2:30 a.m. for the summit, so no need to set an alarm! We left our hut at 2:30 a.m., zigzagged slowly up the final stretch with dozens of headlamps glowing in the dark, and reached the summit just before sunrise. Standing at 3,776 meters and watching the sun rise over a sea of clouds is something we’ll never forget.
Pro tip: You can leave your backpack at the hut for the final summit climb and just carry water. If you’re coming back down the same trail, it makes the early morning ascent much easier.
You’ll need plenty of cash on the mountain. Everything costs extra:
- Restrooms: 100–300 yen at the 5th station and above
- Hot water: ~100 yen for 100ml
- Food and drinks: widely available, but pricey ~400-500 yen for coffee
- Stamps: A fun souvenir—but each one costs 300–1000 yen
Stamp Your Stick, Stamp Your Memories. One of the coolest traditions on Fuji is collecting wood-burned stamps on a wooden hiking stick or in a notebook.
- Long sticks are best and they can fit more stamps.
- Some stamps are big, so the smaller souvenir sticks may be too limited.
- You can also collect date stamps as proof you made the climb.
- Each hut has a unique stamp design, and watching them burn the symbols into your stick is part of the magic.
Important to know and don’t skip this! As of 2025, Mt. Fuji now requires a paid entry permit:
- 4,000 yen per person, which you can book online (recommended!). Even if you have hut reservation you need to buy permit.
- If you don’t, you’ll have to buy it at the 5th station in cash
- Entry is capped at 4,000 climbers per day, so reserve in advance if possible
You’ll also need to show mandatory gear to be allowed to enter:
- Puff jacket
- Rain jacket and pants
- Headlamp (absolutely essential for the summit climb in the dark!)
Check official website which is the best resource to check before your hike, especially for updated weather, entry limits, and any emergency notices.
Chubu Sangaku National Park: Japan’s Hidden Alpine Gem
If you want to escape Japan’s busy cities and experience a completely different side of the country, Chubu Sangaku National Park in the Japanese Alps is worth the extra travel time. The park is huge, so rather than trying to see everything, we focused on two areas: Kamikochi and Norikura. Both are relatively remote and require a combination of trains, buses, and sometimes taxis, but that is also part of what makes this region feel so special.
If you love nature, Chubu Sangaku National Park and Kamikochi will steal your heart. Nestled in the Japanese Alps, this peaceful valley offers crystal-clear rivers, suspension bridges, and stunning mountain views. We hiked among tranquil forests, soaking in the cool alpine air and calm.
Kamikochi
Kamikochi is one of the most scenic valleys in the Japanese Alps, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, forests, and the crystal-clear Azusa River. It is also a great base for hiking because you can choose anything from easy riverside walks to much more challenging alpine trails.
We spent two nights here and explored the Myojin Pond area, an easy and beautiful hike through the valley. For something more adventurous, we also took the Shinhotaka Ropeway and hiked toward Nishiho Sanso, which gives you a completely different perspective of the Japanese Alps.
Kamikochi is not directly accessible by train. From Kyoto, one of the easiest public-transport routes is: Kyoto → Nagoya → Matsumoto → Shin-Shimashima → Kamikochi
Take the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Nagoya, continue by train to Matsumoto, then take the local train to Shin-Shimashima. From there, buses take you directly into Kamikochi. Plan on roughly 5–6 hours of travel, depending on connections.
Tip: Start early from Kyoto. Kamikochi is worth arriving before the afternoon so you still have time for an easy hike once you check in.
Favorite hikes:
- Myojin Ike Pond (5.5 miles) – tranquil and scenic
- Nishi-Hotaka (6.4miles)– breathtaking ridgeline views
Norikura Kogen & Mount Norikura
From Kamikochi, we continued to Norikura Kogen, a much quieter mountain area that felt even more off the beaten path. It is an excellent base for waterfalls, alpine meadows, and hiking around Mount Norikura, one of Japan’s highest mountains.
One of the highlights is heading up toward Tatamidaira, located at around 2,700 meters. From here, you are already high in the alpine zone, making it possible to experience spectacular mountain scenery without a huge approach hike. We also explored Zengoro Falls, an easy waterfall hike near Norikura Kogen.
Tip: If you plan to hike Mount Norikura, stay at least two nights in Norikura Kogen. Mountain weather can change quickly, and having an extra morning gives you much more flexibility.
It may look close on the map, but transportation between these mountain areas takes time. Avoid trying to squeeze both into a one- or two-day side trip from Kyoto. The slower pace is part of the experience.
Favorite hikes:
- Mt Norikura -Alpine Meadow (0.8mile)
- Mt. Norokuja (4.1 mile)
- Zengoronotaki Falls (1.8mile)
Japan gave us such a mix of experiences, but some of our favorite moments happened outside the cities. Seeing Mount Fuji in person and then spending several days hiking through Kamikochi and Norikura in the Japanese Alps showed us a completely different side of the country.
Mount Fuji is one of those places you recognize instantly, but seeing it in real life still feels special. The Japanese Alps felt very different; quieter, greener, and much less rushed. After Kyoto and other busy stops, slowing down for mountain trails, waterfalls, alpine meadows, and small mountain towns was exactly what we needed.
If you enjoy combining culture, hiking, nature, and a little adventure, we would definitely recommend making room for both Mount Fuji and Chubu Sangaku National Park. They require a bit more planning than the classic routes, but for us, they were some of the most memorable parts of the entire trip.
Leave a note