Sorry! There are no remaining departures for "Discover Japan & Hike Mt Fuji" (AJDF), but here are some similar trips.
Prefer to experience Mt Fuji without the hiking? To see our DISCOVER JAPAN itinerary click here.
Discover Japan & Hike Mt Fuji
14 days, Tokyo to Tokyo
Itinerary Notes
Luggage size restriction – Effective from May 2020 onwards
All G Adventures tours in Japan use the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which have a restriction on maximum luggage size. Your luggage must be less than 160cm in total. This is roughly the size that most airline companies consider as "carry-on baggage" and allow in overhead storage compartments.
We strongly recommend bringing a day pack or backpack to use during the day, in addition to your carry-on sized luggage. Please see “What to take” under Tour details for more information.
Itinerary
Day 1Tokyo
Arrive at any time.
We highly recommend booking pre- or post-accommodation in Tokyo to take full advantage of this spectacular city.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Tokyo/Kanazawa
Arrive in Kanazawa and explore the city's well-preserved geisha district.
Take a short train ride to Kanazawa. In the 17th century, this beautifully preserved castle town was Japan's wealthiest, and it became a thriving center for culture and arts.
Please note that the new JR Pass validation policy asks travellers to come to the office counter to activate their JR Pass.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Higashi Geisha District Visit
Step back in time with a visit to the Higashi Chaya geisha district of Kanazawa. Learn about the geisha culture, prevalent in Kanazawa since the 17th century. Visit the traditional two-story wooden houses decorated with lattice and discover the traditions behind this iconic Japanese way of life.
Day 3Kanazawa
Stroll through Keroku-en, ranked one of the nation's top three gardens before exploring the historic Nagamachi samurai district.
After strolling through the expansive gardens of Kenrokuen, opt to stop at the massive Kanazawa castle next door.
Kanazawa is also home to many interesting museums, opt to visit one or learn more about local crafts. Loving the food in the city? Take a trip to the local seafood market to see where some of the fresh, tasty ingredients come from.
Kenroku-En Garden Visit
Walk around this breathtaking garden, ranked one of the top three in Japan. With unique bridges, ponds and fountains, pagodas and tea houses there's lots to see here in any season.
Nagamachi Samurai District Walk
Step back in time with a visit to the Nagamachi Samurai district of Kanazawa. Take a walk through the historic samurai district located just below the Kanazawa Castle, where traditionally samurai and their families lived in mud huts.
Free Time
Explore the city with some free time.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Myoryuji Ninja Temple Visit
1000JPY per personVisit the famous Ninja Temple. While there's no evidence linking the temple to ninjas, the hidden doorways, passages and escape routes seem designed for stealthy attackers. Please leave all nunchucks with security.
Kanazawa Castle Visit
Free-320JPY per personVisit the massive castle located beside the Kenrokuen Garden. At over 400 years old, the castle has a great history and is the perfect place to wrap up exploration of the gardens.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
450-1200JPY per personIf you are interested in eccentric art visit this beautiful museum with unique exhibits and architecture. Capture a trippy underwater photo in the simulated swimming pool.
Day 4Kanazawa/Takayama
Arrive in picturesque Takayama and relax in the traditional Japanese inn.
Arrive in Takayama in the afternoon and begin taking in the beautiful scenery of this traditional city.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Free Time
Explore this charming town with a free afternoon.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Sake Street Visit
300-400JPY per personStroll down this quaint road, lined with sake breweries and vendors, and learn more about this typical Japanese beverage made from fermented rice. Have a sample or two to test it out.
Day 5Takayama
Explore the Hida No Sato traditional folk village, and walk the quaint streets of the old town – lined with sake breweries and craft shops. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the area.
Enjoy free time to explore this beautiful landscape. Discover traces of a feudal past in the thatched houses and rice fields. Opt to visit one of the markets or rent a bike and cycle out of the town centre and into the countryside.
Hida no Sato (Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village) Visit
Visit the Hida Folk Village, an outdoor museum where various buildings from the 1600s are open to tour. The steep, thatched roofs of the farmhouses are said to resemble praying hands. Take a peek inside to see tools and furniture from the original village.
Free Time
Use free time to enjoy the area, sample sake or visit a nearby hot spring for a soak.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Sake Street Visit
300-400JPY per personStroll down this quaint road, lined with sake breweries and vendors, and learn more about this typical Japanese beverage made from fermented rice. Have a sample or two to test it out.
Bike Rental
Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore.
Day 6Takayama/Hiroshima
Arrive in Hiroshima and visit the Peace Park and Museum to learn more about the tragic history of this city.
The large Peace Park in the centre of the city is an extremely moving place dotted with memorials of those killed by the atomic bomb and others who subsequently died. The burning flame in the park will only be extinguished when all nuclear weapons in the world have been destroyed. Take a tram ride through the city to reach Peace Park.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Hiroshima Park and Peace Memorial
Walk through the Peace Park in the centre of Hiroshima, a living memorial dedicated to the tens of thousands who died from the atomic bomb blast in 1945. Visit the statue of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died of leukemia as a result of the bomb blast, despite folding 1,000 origami paper cranes to appeal to the gods to make her well. See the frame of the Gembaku Dome, the sole building to withstand the explosion. Reflect, remember, and be reminded of the power we all hold to create peace.
Day 7Hiroshima
Take a ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima to see the famous floating Torii Gate and meet the friendly local deer.
Take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, not far from the coast.
Here, view one of the most photographed sights in Japan— the floating Torii Gate. The shrine itself dates back to the 6th century and is designed in a pier-like structure.
Enjoy time to explore the island and its many shrines and temples. Sample local treats like maple leaf shaped cakes, and opt to hike up to the peak of the island, Mt Misen, to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.
Please note the floating Torii Gate will be under construction until December 2022.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Miyajima Island Visit
Take a trip to Miyajima Island, famed as one of Japan's most scenic spots, with a free afternoon to explore. See the famous floating Torii Gate, set out in the bay, which glows extraordinarily at sunset. The island is dotted with shrines and temples, populated by deer, and traversed with hiking trails for those who want to get some exercise. There are also lanes full of souvenirs and tasty treats. Visit Miyajima at your own pace, and have the option to hike up to the peak of the island, Mt Misen, to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.
Free Time
Spend free time however you choose. Opt to hike, try the region's famed oysters, or check out the important sights and museums.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Mt. Misen Visit
Free-1840JPY per personSet out for the summit of Mt. Misen, Miyajima’s highest peak at 500m (1,640 ft) above sea level. Opt to hike one of three trails through the forest and keep an eye out for wild deer or catch a ride on the ropeway and walk the remaining distance to the top. Take in great views of the Seto Inland Sea and on a clear day see as far as the city of Hiroshima.
Day 8Hiroshima/Kyoto
Travel to historic Kyoto. Explore the marvellous Fushimi Inari shrine and walk under thousands of torii gates.
Continue on to Kyoto, the former imperial capital and home of the country's most treasured remnants of Japanese imperial life.
Walk around Gion and perhaps catch a glimpse of a geisha going from teahouse to teahouse.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Visit
Visit the Fushimi Inari shrine, located just outside of Kyoto. Walk under the thousands of iconic torii gates (as seen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha) and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The shrine itself is at the base of the Inari mountain but includes many trails up to smaller shrines in the area.
Day 9Kyoto
Wander the impressive Nijo Castle and gardens before visiting Kyoto's iconic Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion.
Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion Visit
Explore Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion, named for the temple’s top two floors that are covered in gold leaf. The temple is surrounded by trees and sits on a reflective pond, making this must-see in Kyoto a perfect place for photos. While the temple can be busy, there are gardens around the area to explore once you’ve had enough of the view.
Nijo Castle and Gardens Visit
Visit the Nijo Castle, the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period built in 1603. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property is divided into three areas: the Honmaru (main circular fortification), Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense), and the gorgeous gardens that surround both.
Free Time
Discover more of this cultural city with some free time.
Day 10Kyoto
Spend a full free day discovering the Zen gardens, huge wooden temples, pagodas and shrines of Kyoto. Opt to enjoy the Zen gardens of Ryoan-ji and the Silver Pavilion, and take a leisurely stroll down the lovely Philosopher’s path to Nanzen-ji.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Kyoto, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, taking part in a traditional costume photoshoot, and enjoying a tea ceremony. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Gion Walk
FreeWalk through Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Visit shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.
Zen Gardens of Ryōan-ji
500JPY per personThe Ryōan-ji garden is one of the best examples of kare-sansui, or dry landscape, a type of Zen garden. Fifteen large rocks are placed within a sea of white pebbles raked into linear patterns to facilitate meditation. Stand on the platform to get the best view from above. Stroll the grounds around the Ryoan-ji Temple and along the Kyoyo-chi pond.
Daisen-in Zen Rock Garden Visit
400JPY per personTake a walk through the gardens around Daisen-in Temple. This zen garden uses gravel, sand and stones to recreate a river and ocean, symbolizing the Buddhist journey through life.
Day 11Kyoto/Fujikawaguchiko
Visit Lake Kawaguchi and go for some optional walks. Enjoy an amazing multi-course Japanese kaiseki dinner and prepare for the next day's hike.
Leave Kyoto and travel to Kawaguchiko arriving mid afternoon. Take the rest of the afternoon to visit the Onsen Spa before dinner.
Please note that climbing season is subject to weather conditions but is typically July 1 to Sep 2nd each year. The itinerary can change at any time due to weather.
Bullet Train
There are multiple train changes during this ride and a short taxi ride at the end.
Your Wellness Moment: Onsen Spa Visit
Visit the natural hot springs in traditional style and soak in the waters and feel all your troubles float away.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 12Fujikawaguchiko/Mount Fuji
Arrive at Station 5 and begin your ascent of this sacred mountain. To slow the pace and help with acclimatization, overnight at Station 8 and rest up before the final push to the summit in the morning.
The total hike to the summit is about 5-6 hours, broken up with an overnight stay at Station 8. Accommodation on the mountain is a basic dormitory-style hut with few facilities.
Luggage can be stored at the hotel during the climb. Bring only an overnight bag with items required for the climb.
A light dinner is included at the mountain hut. As resources are limited on the mountain, dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated – be sure to bring your own food if necessary.
Local Bus
Travel from the bus platform in town to Station 5 to start the hike.
Mt Fuji Hike Day 1
Drive to Fujinomiya Station 5 and start the ascent up Mt Fuji towards Station 7. The climb itself isn't difficult but the rapid ascent, constant incline and altitude can be challenging for hikers. The 1,396m (4580 ft) to the summit takes 6-7 hours in total, stop at Station 7 tonight to rest and prepare for the rest of the climb.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 13Mount Fuji/Tokyo
Wake up early for the final stretch of the hike and reach Japan's tallest peak – 3,776m (12,388 ft) – in time for sunrise. Take in the views from the summit before hiking down. Later, travel by train to Tokyo for one final night in the city.
After the arduous push to the summit, enjoy sunrise before hiking back down. Pick up your bags and travel by van to Kawaguchiko before a train to Tokyo.
Today you can take in some more sights, visit the museums and gardens or do some shopping. Meet with the group later tonight for our last dinner together.
Mt Fuji Hike Day 2
Start hiking towards the summit before dawn. There will be some rough patches that will only be visible with flashlights. Tread carefully, don't rush and drink plenty of water. Watch the sunrise atop the mountain and celebrate a successful climb. Hike back down to retrieve your bags.
It's about 4-5 hrs to Station 10. After watching the sunrise, slowly head back down about 3 more hrs.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Free Time
Use free time in Tokyo to visit any must-see sights you missed, tour a museum or shop for souvenirs for yourself or friends back home.
Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow
Ueno Park Visit
FreeAs Japan's most popular city park, Ueno is known for its museums and cherry blossoms. Stroll the pathways, admire the thousands of trees, including approximately 800 Somei-yoshino cherry trees, look for lotus on the pond, or opt to visit the temples and museums (entrance fees).
Sensō-ji Temple Visit
FreeExplore Sensō-ji Temple, a colourful Buddhist temple and the oldest temple in the entire city. Leading up to the temple the street is lined with shops selling yummy food and great souvenirs.
Ginza Shopping
FreeThe Ginza district is Tokyo’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue in New York. Window shop at Chanel, Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, then check out the latest electronics at the Sony showroom or Apple store. Visit the Wako department store with its historic clock tower, housed in a building that dates back to 1894. If you are there on a weekend, head to Ginza’s main street where pedestrians rule without Tokyo’s traffic.
Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū) Visit
Free-1000JPY per personVisit this shrine dedicated to the 123rd emperor of Japan, Emperor Meiji and his wife. The shrine is a great place to escape the bustle of the city and wander the grounds along the wide walking paths.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Tokyo
Depart at any time. We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this vibrant city.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.