Japan Adventure: Mount Fuji Sunrise Climb & the Kamikochi Alps (10 Days)

Two of Japan's greatest summer mountain worlds in one crossing
A Wakahi Walks Event

Japan Adventure: Mount Fuji Sunrise Climb & the Kamikochi Alps (10 Days)

Photo by enkuu smile via Unsplash

International Adventures

Japan Adventure: Mount Fuji Sunrise Climb & the Kamikochi Alps (10 Days)

Dates 6–15 Aug 2027
Location Japan
Hosted by Rafick

Distance: 14.2 km

Elevation Gain: 1450 m

Difficulty: Challenging

Duration: 6-9 hours

About this event

This ten-day Japan adventure links Mount Fuji's sunrise summit (3,776 m) with the alpine grandeur of Kamikochi in the Northern Japan Alps. Two days in Tokyo, the Yoshida-route climb of Fuji, recovery in the lakeside onsens, then a crossing to the Alps for a valley walk among Japan's highest peaks — with an optional overnight ascent of Yarigatake for the strong subgroup. Built for experienced, self-sufficient hikers.

Photos

No photos yet. Attendee photos will appear here once the event is underway.

What Wakahi Walks does

  • Organise the event from start to finish
  • Lead the group on the track
  • Book huts, campsites or lodges (as applicable)
  • Arrange logistics — transport and carpool coordination
  • Group coordination and safety planning
  • Organise training events

Your contribution covers this organising work — not just the hut bookings.

Logistics

  • Departure point: Arrive Tokyo by evening on Day 1. Group welcome dinner in Shinjuku; meet point confirmed nearer the date.

Costs

Item Amount Group Booking
Flights Auckland <-> Tokyo (return) $1,800-2,300 No
Tokyo accommodation (2 nights) $180-360 No
Kawaguchiko (3 nights) $360-540 No
Fuji mountain hut (1 night, meals incl.) TBC Yes – in May 2027
Hirayu / Matsumoto (2 nights) $220-400 No
Kamikochi alpine hut (1 night, optional) TBC Yes – in May 2027
Matsumoto (1 night) $110-180 No
Fuji climbing fee $40 No
Kamikochi bus / entry $30 No
Intercity transport $200-280 No
Meals (10 days @ $40-60) $400-600 No
Travel insurance (to 3,800 m, required) $120-200 No
Member Contribution $250 No

Contributions are due 2 months before the event and are non-refundable. No pulling out unless a suitable replacement is found.

Pre-event and post-event group dinners

We usually meet for a group dinner before the walk and a celebration dinner after it. Both are optional, but most attendees join.

Restaurant options (average cost per person):

  • Welcome dinner in Shinjuku (Day 1)
  • celebration dinner in Kawaguchiko after the summit (Day 5)
  • hut half-board on the mountain

Voting coming soon.

What to bring

Gear

  • Hiking boots
  • Trekking poles
  • Headlamp plus spare batteries
  • Warm layers
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Hat and gloves
  • Quick-dry clothing
  • 2.5L water capacity
  • Snacks
  • Cash for huts and toilets
  • Rubbish bag

Food

  • Half-board at the Fuji mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
  • Meals otherwise in Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, and the Alps towns
  • Carry snacks and cash for huts; food and drink can be bought at huts en route

Important notes

  • Trip: 6-15 August 2027, ten days, Tokyo / Mount Fuji / Kamikochi. All times Japan Standard Time (JST); NZ is +3 hours in August
  • DAY 1 - Thu 6 Aug - Arrivals in Tokyo. Check-in and group welcome dinner in Shinjuku. Overnight Tokyo
  • DAY 2 - Fri 7 Aug - Full day exploring Tokyo's cultural, historic and modern icons. Overnight Tokyo
  • DAY 3 - Sat 8 Aug - Tokyo to Fuji Five Lakes. Morning train/bus to Kawaguchiko (approx 2.5h). Afternoon orientation walk by Lake Kawaguchi and gear check. Overnight Kawaguchiko
  • DAY 4 - Sun 9 Aug - Climb Day 1. Bus to Yoshida 5th Station (approx 2,300m). Ascend to Taishikan Hut (approx 3,100m). Dinner and overnight at the hut
  • DAY 5 - Mon 10 Aug - Sunrise Summit. 1:30am start; summit (3,776m) around 4:45am for sunrise. Descend to 5th Station (7-8h total). Return to Kawaguchiko for onsen and celebration dinner. Overnight Kawaguchiko
  • DAY 6 - Tue 11 Aug - Recovery and Fuji culture. Chureito Pagoda and Arakura Sengen Shrine, Lake Kawaguchi boat ride or craft markets. Overnight Kawaguchiko
  • DAY 7 - Wed 12 Aug - Transfer to the Alps. Kawaguchiko to Matsumoto to Hirayu Onsen (approx 4-5h via bus/train). Gear check for the alpine section. Overnight Hirayu / Matsumoto
  • DAY 8 - Thu 13 Aug - Kamikochi valley plus optional alpine ascent. Bus into Kamikochi (approx 1,500m). Whole group: Taisho Pond to Kappa-bashi to Myojin Pond riverside walk. Optional strong subgroup: begin ascent toward Yarigatake, overnight at mountain hut. Valley group overnights Kamikochi / Hirayu
  • DAY 9 - Fri 14 Aug - Alpine descent / Kamikochi free day. Subgroup summits and descends Yarigatake to Kamikochi. Valley group: second Kamikochi loop or onsen. Reunite and transfer to Matsumoto. Overnight Matsumoto
  • DAY 10 - Sat 15 Aug - Matsumoto to Tokyo to departures. Morning Matsumoto Castle (optional), then train to Tokyo (approx 2.5-3h). Event concludes evening Tokyo. Departures or independent extension
  • This trip is built for experienced, self-sufficient hikers. The Fuji climb reaches 3,776m (1,500m gain from the 5th Station; 6-7h up, 7-8h down). The optional Yarigatake ascent is a serious full-day alpine effort with exposed sections near the summit, for experienced fit hikers only. Rafick controls the group pace; we climb together. Contribution: NZ residents NZ$150, international participants NZ$250. Open to hikers worldwide

Safety

  • Comprehensive travel insurance covering trekking in Japan to 3,800m is mandatory; proof required before departure
  • High-altitude summit conditions on Fuji range from -2 to +5C; warm and waterproof layers essential
  • Weather can force itinerary changes at short notice
  • No littering - carry out all rubbish

YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Reserve your spot

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Who's going (1)

  • Rafick Organiser

Discussion

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