Active Japan: Mt Fuji & Hokkaido

Introduction

Northern Japan may not be on your radar — but it definitely should be. This adventure-packed trip squeezes in all the highlights so you won’t miss a thing. In just under two weeks, you’ll hike Mt. Fuji, explore the buzzing streets of Tokyo with your CEO, and head off the beaten path to northern Hokkaido. This region is bursting with national parks, and you’ll dive right into Shiretoko National Park for some serious hiking amidst stunning spring or summer landscapes. Afterward, relax those muscles with an overnight stay at a traditional onsen and sip on a cold Sapporo beer, straight from the source. Whether you’re a Japan newbie or a seasoned traveller, this adventure has something for every explorer.

• Hike to the summit of Mount Fuji for a perfect sunrise view
• Explore the highlights of Tokyo and enjoy free time in the city
• Hike cliffside and through the forest of Shiretoko National Park

Duration: 12 days

Start/Finish City: Tokyo to Sapporo

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Grading: 4 - Demanding

Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers.

Travel Style: Active

Hiking, trekking, biking, rafting, and kayaking adventures all over the world, made for outdoor types.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, avg. 14

What's Included

Your Local Living Moment: Ryokan Stay, Akan-ko
Your Foodie Moment: Ramen Dinner in Asahikawa, Asahikawa. Hike to the summit of Mount Fuji. Stay overnight on the slopes of Mount Fuji. Asakusa Sensō-ji Temple. Nakamise shopping street. Imperial Palace visit. Free time in Tokyo. Shiretoko Five Lake trek. Furepe waterfall hike. Primeval Forest hiking. Sulphur mountain visit. Lake Kussharo hot spring beach. Lake Mashu Observation Deck. Akan Ryokan stay. Asahikawa Ramen dinner. Asahidake Ropeway.

What are the main highlights of this trip?

Hike to the summit of Mount Fuji for a perfect sunrise view, Explore the highlights of Tokyo and enjoy free time in the city, Hike cliffside and through the forest of Shiretoko National Park.

Important Notes

For the Mount Fuji Trek:
Please get more than 7 hours of sleep the night before.
Please do not drink alcohol the night before.
Please eat enough protein and calories.
The summit can 0 degrees C when 5th station is above 30 degrees C, so please bring appropriate clothing.
Bring a rain jackets and pants even if the weather forecast is sunny. The weather on Mount Fuji changes very quickly and can be very windy.

Group Leader Description

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

How large will the group be?

Max 16, avg. 14

Meals Included

11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Plane, local train, walking, private vehicle, gondola, public bus, local metro.

Accommodation

Hotels (9nts), Ryokan stay (1nt), Mt Fuji 7th Station hut (1nt)

Rooming and "My Own Room" Exceptions

Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops, with the following exceptions: Night 1.

Joining Instructions

For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.

If you would like to book an airport Arrival shuttle for your tour, please contact our Sales Team or your Travel Agent in advance of travel.

If you have paid in advance for an arrival shuttle, our driver will be waiting for you with a sign with the transfer company name "GREEN TOMATO" on it outside of the luggage hall.  If for any reason you are not met at the airport, please call Emergency Phone number: +81 50-3096-0911

JOINING HOTEL:
Hotel Route Inn Tokyo Kamata - Ayamebashi
3 Chome-18-2 Kamata, Ota City
Tokyo
Japan

WELCOME MEETING TIME: 07:00am

You will meet your group at the meeting point hotel in Tokyo at 7:00 am before departing for Mt Fuji together. Make sure to arrive to Japan with ample time to arrive at the meeting point to ensure you don't miss the departure time. Enquire about booking a pre-night hotel if you choose to arrive the day before.

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

AIRPORT TRANSFER
If you have purchased an arrival through G Adventures or if an arrival transfer is included in the cost of your tour, please note that:

Your arrival transfer has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If you are advised of a flight schedule change or flight cancellation within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, please call the emergency contact number to advise of your new arrival flight information. If you do not, we will not be able to rearrange your arrival transfer and you will need to make your own way to the starting hotel at your own expense. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please take a taxi to your start point hotel. 

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

Arrival transfer representative: +81 50-3096-0911
(this is only for travellers who have an arrival transfer booked through G Adventures)

G Adventures Local Office (Japan)
During office hours: Mon-Fri (Excluding national holidays) 9:00-18:00 Local Time
From outside Japan: 1st contact +81 3-6809-1212. (2nd contact +81 90 1223 2336 or +81 80 6779 1851)
From within Japan: 1st contact 03-6809-1212 (2nd contact 090 1223 2336 or 080 6779 1851)

After office hours emergency number
Primary phone: +81 90 1223 2336 or +81 80 6779 1851 (from within Japan: 090 1223 2336 or 080 6779 1851)

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below which will connect you directly with our Sales team who will happily assist you. Hours of operation by region can be found here.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

What to Take

All G Adventures tours in Japan use the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which have a restriction on maximum luggage size. As a result, it’s essential to pack as lightly as possible.

Your luggage must be less than 160cm in total (calculated as the sum of the height + width + depth of your luggage). 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.

If you absolutely must bring more than what fits into a single carry-on bag plus day pack, you may bring a second carry-on bag which also must be less than 160cm in total. Please note, however, that as with all G Adventures tours, you must be able to carry your luggage unassisted.

Travellers who bring luggage that exceeds this restriction will be directly penalised by the Central Japan Railway Company. Any luggage between 160–250cm will require a fee of 1,000 JPY per luggage, for each leg of your train journey, and is strictly subject to availability. Any luggage over 251cm in total is prohibited on the Shinkansen trains.

If passengers' belongings cannot fit in two carry-on sized pieces of luggage, their only other option is to use the luggage transfer "takuhaibin" service. This cannot be pre-booked and must be arranged with the CEO on the ground. The cost for this is USD25 per luggage (depending on size) and pax would have to pay this for each individual train journey on the tour. In addition, luggage is always next-day delivery. It will never arrive on the same day using "takuhaibin" service. Additional restrictions may apply on the ground.

Packing List

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Hiking/Trekking:
• Gloves
• Hat
• Hiking boots/sturdy walking shoes
• Hiking pants (Convertible/Zip-off and quick dry recommended)
• Snacks (Protein bars, chocolate, dried fruits, candies, energy sweets)
• Socks (Trekking socks — woollen or synthetic, not cotton)
• Thermal base layer (Woollen or synthetic, not cotton)
• Walking poles (Highly recommended)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Visas and Entry Requirements

All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check the information yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.

Visa information specific to your destination and nationality can be found in our Important Pre-Departure Information page here

Optional Activities

Tokyo
- Akihabara Visit (Free)
- Harajuku Visit (Free)
- Ueno Park Visit (Free)

Shiretoko
- Hot Springs Village
- Shiretoko World Heritage Conservation Centre

Otaru
- Half Day Cycling Tour of Otaru

Sapporo
- Hokkaido Jingu Shrine

Minimum Age

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

International Flights

Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

LGBTQ+ Safety

The safety and well-being of all of our travelers is a priority at G Adventures and that includes our travelers who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We recognize that there are specific concerns and questions you may have about your adventure in terms of safety and security. We encourage you to visit our LGBTQ+ page for useful resources to ensure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the duration of your trip. The Equaldex tool linked on this page can be of particular help when deciding where you may want to visit next.