MT FUJI & THE JAPANESE ALPS

14 days from GBP3,399 to GBP3,599 including flights
Tripcode: TOP

Countries Visited: Japan

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 18 reviews.

Jonathan James

MT FUJI & THE JAPANESE ALPS

Written September 2011
A fantastic trip – great walking, stunning scenery, fascinating cities and an amazing culture. What more could you want from a trip?
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Yarigatake was definitely top of my highlights list. The Japanese Alps are stunning. The view from the summit of Yarigatake was fabulous. It does require a bit of scrambling utilising some fixed ladders and chains and a ‘head for heights’ to reach the top, but this adds to the sense of achievement (and excitement!). The Yarigatake trek hadn’t featured in my decision to book the trip, but I would swap a trip up Mt Fuji for Yarigatake anyday!

What did you think of your group leader?
The tour leader (Rudy) was first class and a pleasure to travel with. He ensured that everyone was always in the right place at the right time – not an easy job considering the amount of public transport utilised.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try to spend some additional time in Kyoto and Tokyo. I had an extra day in each and it still wasn’t enough. Just make sure you book any extra accommodation yourself. Exodus quoted me £200 for an extra night in Kyoto. I found the same room could be booked directly with the hotel website for around £45.

Make sure you take ear plugs. There is lots of potential for your nights sleep in the mountain huts to be disrupted by snorers!

Travel light and take baggage with wheels. Public transport is used throughout and Japanese railway stations are very large.

Take a reasonable amount of spending money. Japan is not a cheap country, although in reality prices are not much different to what you would spend on a night out in any large European city. Having a few bottles of Sake in the evening certainly enhances the cultural experience!

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Japan is an amazing country and should be experienced first hand. If you enjoy challenging walking as well as a bit of culture this is the trip for you. I will certainly be back.
Ross Bishop

Land of the Rising Fun!

Written August 2011
Japan is a fascinating country – modern, yet so culturally different from the west. Its reputation for being busy is not unfounded, but everything works efficiently (like the excellent rail network) and there’s plenty of stunning scenery in the mountainous regions too. The local people are a joy to interact with – initially a little reserved, but so friendly and helpful to foreigners once you break the ice and so respectful of each other in all aspects of society. Japanese cuisine, although not always to my tastes, was one of many unique aspects of the tour which added to the overall experience of a country that I found to be exotic and rewarding to visit.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Despite heavy rain to start with, the trek up to Mt Yarigatake in the northern Japanese Alps offered some fun, but straightforward scrambling and stunning views reminiscent of a classic Scottish ridge once the cloud finally cleared. The climb of Mount Fuji was also a unique experience, not only for the stark volcanic scenery and lofty views over half of Honshu from the summit, but also to witness the sheer volume of human traffic as a seemingly endless line of head torches accompanied us up to the crater rim to watch sunrise. I was also pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the buzz of Tokyo at the end of the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rudy did a thorough and comprehensive job dealing with all aspects of the tour and managed fine without being able to speak Japanese. Our group was also joined by Matt for the trekking elements of the trip who has lived in Japan for 12 years and does speak the local language – his knowledge of Japanese and his enthusiasm for the country that he now calls home really added to our deeper understanding of Japanese culture.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you don’t book the group flight for this tour, don’t worry about getting to and from the airport – with a little planning and a few web searches, it’s very straightforward to sort out rail travel in Japan and the language need not be a barrier to this – indeed, I found figuring out the Japanese transport systems to be all part of the fun. Luggage with wheels is very helpful for transferring between trains. Japan can experience heavy rain during the summer months so pack good waterproofs for the trek, but otherwise you can pack quite lightly as the mountain accommodation is very comfortable (if a little cramped on Mount Fuji). Trying Japanese food was one of many new experiences for me – I liked some of it, but I found it doesn’t always offer enough substance and energy in preparation for a full day’s trekking so I recommend bringing supplementary energy bars from home or buying some additional snacks in from one of the many convenience stores before you set off. Finally, amongst many highlights in Tokyo, I got up early for the tuna auction at the fish market which was well worth the taxi fare and the pre-dawn start.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
My only reservation before booking this tour was whether Japan would end up being very expensive. Prices are quite high throughout Japan and particularly in Tokyo, but it’s perfectly possible to enjoy all aspects of the tour on a reasonable budget. The one thing that can seriously erode your funds is a night out on the town so budget accordingly if an evening of Sake and Karaoke Bars is your kind of thing.
sarah mijatovich

MT FUJI & THE JAPANESE ALPS

Written September 2010
A brilliant holiday from start to finish, really varied and a great introduction to an amazing country.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were loads! For me, the beauty of the Japanese countryside and the hiking at Mount Yarigatake were real highlights. Tokyo is a great city with so much to see and do. Fascinating culture and subculture (maid bar anyone?) - I loved it!
What did you think of your group leader?
Steve is great. He really did work flat out to ensure that everyone had a brilliant time - I'm not sure he did much sleeping for the whole holiday! His enthusiasm, energy and knowledge certainly added to my enjoyment of Japan.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you can, stay a few extra nights in Tokyo - I'm so glad I did, 2 days wasn't anywhere near enough. I wished I'd arrived a bit earlier too and seen more of Kyoto.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Japan and the friendliness of the people way exceeded my expectations - just go and enjoy it!
Emma Devlin

MT FUJI & THE JAPANESE ALPS

Written August 2010
This was a fantastic trip and I cannot recommend it highly enough. An experience which I will never forget
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Probably climbing Mount Yarigatake - the weather was poor and visibility terrible but there was still a great sense of achievement to get to the top. The Alps generally were a real surprise and very beautiful. The friendliness of the Japanese people was wonderful
What did you think of your group leader?
Steve was just fantastic - I don't think I have ever come across a guide who has gone so far beyond the call of duty to give us all a great experience of Japan. His love of Japan and the Japanese people was infectious and he wanted us to think the same. He was highly organised , utterly professional, great fun and worked incredibly hard. Altogether first rate and a massive part in our enjoyment of the trip! Exodus - look after him!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Travel light and a suitcase/holdall on wheels is a great benefit when getting on and off trains and buses
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Gof for it! You will not regret it.
James Phillipps

MT FUJI & THE JAPANESE ALPS

Written August 2010
Wonderful trip. For the first time visitor giving an insight into rural and urban Japan and its people. Best trip I've had for some years.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Japanese alps, traditional Japanese hotel, bath houses, madness of climbing Fuji
What did you think of your group leader?
Steve Parker was great. All travel by public transport meant that he used every opportunity to interact with locals. Evening of Japanese language instruction in mountain hut on Yarigatake, then encouraged to use language whenever possible. Able to adapt to different needs of the group. Even managed to find a new pair of boots when a pair disintegrated half way up a mountain.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
weather conditions very variable, from very hot and humid to torrential rain. Need appropriate clothing. ATM machines not widely available - take enough cash. Meal prices as predicted. Socail drinking quite expensive. Most important of all- GO ON THIS TRIP - IT WAS GREAT.
Michael Medves

MT FUJI & THE JAPANESE ALPS

Written August 2010
Brilliant trip - Japan is such an amazing country. From hiking in beautiful Mt Yarigatake, shrine hopping in Kyoto, to singing karaoke tunes in small village bars, I cannot recommend this trip enough. Japan is a place where everywhere you turn and look you will find something that grabs your attention and amazes you. The Japanese people are so friendly.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me the highlight of the trip was the three day hike for Mt Yarigatake. A brilliant hike along scenic paths in the mountain area through forests, along rivers, over snowfields and mountain terrain giving you beautiful views of the alps. Climbing up to the summit of Mt Yari provided a great sense of achievement. Make sure you go to the onsen at the end of the hike, a great way to relax the muscles. The other highlight of the trip was the sunrise from the top of Mt Fuji - one word, stunning!
What did you think of your group leader?
Steve was a great tour leader for the trip, one of the best I've had on all my travels. He was very knowledgable of all thing Japan, and he went to great lengths to make sure everyone on the trip thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The little extras like the Japanese class in the mountain hut at Mt Yari, taking us to a great nightclub in Tokyo, and (especially) running back to organise a replacement pair of boots when mine decided to disintegrate on me were greatly appreciated.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you have the chance, try to stay some extra time in Kyoto and Tokyo at each end of the trip to fit more in. I spent four days in Tokyo and only just started to feel like I had really seen the place. One recommendation for Kyoto - there is a small little town called Hikone just an hour by local train to the north of Kyoto. It has a beautiful castle and traditional garden, definitely worth the time to go explore.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Go enjoy the great sights of Japan and the great Japanese hospitality. You will have such a great time.
Joanne Stockton

MT FUJI & THE JAPANESE ALPS

Written August 2010
Who'd have thought you could cram so much into two weeks! This trip has everything: mountains, cities, strange food, the amazingly friendly Japanese people...
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There was something exciting and new to experience every day so it is hard to pick out one highlight. Watching the sun rise at the top of Mount Fuji was pretty special. Chatting to random local people as we went on our travels was great. Trying out our newly learnt Japanese phrases was fun (thanks, Steve!). Having a go at karaoke is something not to be missed. Seeing the bright lights of Tokyo was the perfect way to end the trip. Japan was everything I'd hoped for and a bit more besides.
What did you think of your group leader?
Steve was a fantastic leader. Not only did he look after us all very well, but he also went beyond the call of duty. He gave us a Japanese lesson and encouraged us to try out what we had learnt. He was always up for going out in the evenings and always managed to be great company despite having what must be a very tiring job.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Japan is an expensive country, especially with the current exchange rate. If you have any inclination for going out drinking while you are then you may need to re-mortgage your house. Only joking, but bear in mind a beer will set you back about £7.50 so take plenty of spending money.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Why are you hesitating? Go!