YamaTrips Small Group Hiking Tours to Japan Alps, Mt. Fuji & Yatsugatake 2025

📅 Dates: August 24–29, 2025 (6 days, 5 nights)
📅 Dates: October 5–10, 2025 (6 days, 5 nights)

🗾 Areas: Tokyo, Yamanashi, Nagano, Toyama

👥 Group Size: 6～8 participants

🥾 Beginner-friendly hikes with optional intermediate routes

💵 $3,480 USD per person (all-inclusive)

🌿 Tour Overview

Join us for a six-day adventure through Mt. Fuji, Yatsugatake, and the Japan Alps, where highland forests and alpine landscapes create breathtaking, almost otherworldly views. This trip is for those who want to go beyond the usual tourist paths—to experience Japan through its landscapes, its people, and its deep-rooted connection to nature.

But this journey isn’t just about the scenery; it’s about the people who call these mountains home. You'll meet locals who will share their way of life, revealing how their communities work with nature rather than against it.

In Yamanashi, we’ll stay in traditional kominka homes—cozy countryside houses with wooden beams, tatami floors, and a timeless warmth. Each evening, we’ll share seasonal meals made with fresh ingredients from local markets, embracing the flavors and traditions of the region.

As we venture into the Japan Alps along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, we’ll ascend to breathtaking heights, staying above the clouds in a mountain lodge. Here, you’ll soak in natural hot springs while watching the sunrise and sunset paint the sky in brilliant hues—a truly unforgettable experience.

Our journey concludes in Toyama, where we’ll celebrate our achievement with a feast of fresh seafood caught straight from the Japan Sea, a perfect way to end this immersive adventure.

🗺️ Itinerary

📅 Day 1: A Scenic Journey to Yatsugatake

Our adventure kicks off in Shinjuku, Tokyo, where we’ll meet up and hop on our private charter bus to Yamanashi. On the way, I’ll take you to one of my favorite hidden spots near Lake Yamanaka, where we’ll get a stunning, lesser-known view of Mt. Fuji—the perfect way to start our journey!

Before heading to our accommodation, we’ll stop by a local supermarket and farmers' market to pick up fresh, seasonal ingredients for our meals over the next few days. It’s a great way to experience everyday life in Japan while getting a taste of local produce.

Tonight, we stay at Yatsugatake Fujiyama Terrace, a cozy traditional kominka (Japanese farmhouse) with warm wooden beams and tatami floors—our home for the next two nights.

📅 Day 2: Outdoor Adventures in Yatsugatake

Today is all about immersing ourselves in nature and local culture! We’ll travel by private bus through the beautiful Yatsugatake region, stopping at Moegi Village, where we’ll meet Kaneko Jun, a local sustainability expert. He’ll guide us through the area, sharing insights into how the community harmonizes daily life with nature, from eco-friendly building materials to a deep-rooted focus on local, organic produce.

Next, we’ll step into the serene Kiyosato Forest for a barefoot walk, feeling the earth beneath our feet and reconnecting with nature in a way that shoes never could.

Afterward, we’ll visit local farms, where we’ll directly source fresh, seasonal ingredients just like the locals do—log-grown shiitake mushrooms, freshly harvested rice, wild game meat, crisp lettuce, and other vegetables, along with handcrafted miso and soy sauce.

With baskets full of local flavors, we’ll head back to our traditional kominka stay, unwind, and cook together, preparing a meal that truly reflects the essence of the region.

📅 Day 3: Into the Alps – Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Time to head into the Japan Alps! We’ll board our private bus to Ogizawa, where we’ll start the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route—one of the most spectacular journeys in Japan. We’ll ride a cable car through dramatic alpine scenery, passing through lush valleys and rugged peaks, with plenty of chances to snap some incredible photos.

By evening, we arrive at Raichoso Lodge, a mountain lodge perched above the clouds, where we can soak in the natural hot springs while enjoying the crisp mountain air. Watching the stars from the open-air onsen here is a truly magical experience!

📅 Day 4: Hiking the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

We’ll start our day with a sunrise hike, catching the first light of day as it spills over the stunning Murodo alpine plains. After breakfast, we’ll spend the day exploring—taking in the dramatic peaks, endless skies, and sweeping highland trails.

For those up for a challenge, I’ll guide an optional intermediate hike to one of the higher peaks nearby—an amazing chance to experience the Japan Alps from a new perspective. But if you’d rather take it easy, there are plenty of gentler trails and scenic spots to explore at your own pace.

We’ll spend another night at Raichoso Lodge, enjoying a relaxing soak in the onsen before calling it a day.

📅 Day 5: Descending the Alps & Celebratory Dinner

After one last morning in the mountains, we begin our descent down the Alpine Route to Tateyama Station. From there, we’ll hop on a train to Toyama City, leaving the high peaks behind as we make our way to the coast.

We’ll check into Toyama Onyado Nono, a comfortable hotel featuring natural hot springs, perfect for one final soak before we wrap up the trip.

To celebrate our adventure, we’ll gather for a farewell feast in a private izakaya booth, where we’ll indulge in a huge spread of fresh seafood from the Japan Sea. It’s the perfect way to toast our time together and share our favorite moments from the trip!

📅 Day 6: Farewell & Departure

On our last morning, we’ll enjoy a laid-back breakfast at the hotel, taking one final moment to soak in the experience. After warm farewells, we’ll all part ways, heading home with unforgettable memories of Japan’s breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and the incredible people we met along the way.

✅ What’s Included?

• A YamaTrips guide throughout the trip

• Accommodation

• Transportation

• Meals 

• Exclusive local experiences

• YamaTrips Original Souvenir

❌ What’s Not Included:

• Personal snacks and drinks 

• Flights to Japan

• Travel insurance

• Transportation to Shinjuku Station and after farewell from Toyama Station

📌 How to Book

1️⃣ Send us a DM on Instagram at @yamatrips_japantours. Let us know which trip dates you're interested in and any questions you have!

2️⃣ We’ll get back to you with availability, trip details, and the next steps to secure your spot.