Mt Fuji Sunrise track and Tokyo Free and Easy

Dates of travel: 19th - 26th July 2009
Price: $1985* FULL!
Non-Refundable Deposit: S$300
Bring a friend along and you will receive $100 off!
Max 15pax
Contact Suling @ 96364342 or trips.mir@gmail.com
*Note that price quoted is subject to change due to airfare or any unforeseen circumstances
*Promo price only for students. There is an additional $100 charge for non-students

Japan has always been a top tourist destination for tourists around the World. In this budget trip, we will be taking you to ascend the peak of Mt. Fuji (Japan’s highest dormant volcano), Savour the freshest Sashimi, and view the magnificent Sumida Fireworks festival held only once a year!

For a peak of 3776m, Mt. Fuji is comparatively easier to ascent than other peaks of the same height. No technical skills or previous experience is required, as most of the route would just be trekking up slopes. The view of the sun rising is also not to be missed, as it is guaranteed to take your breath away.

As we believe that all our participants have varying interests, we have come up with a flexible structured programme, where you are given lots of ‘Free and Easy’ time to explore the Fuji Five Lakes region, as well as the metropolitan Tokyo. Of course, if you would like, you could also take up our suggested itinerary (Designed to general preferences), or just Email Suling the types of places you would like to visit. Do note that all expenses under our suggested itinerary is not included in the price quoted above.

-Moderately Challenging: do not need participants to have any prior experience but encouraged to have basic level of fitness
-You're strongly encouraged to come for free “training excursions” for our participants! You can also make new friends there, or pick up one or two phrases of Japanese.
- Will need some basic cold clothing on Mt. Fuji


19th July (Sun)
0600h: Flight from Singapore Changi Airport to Narita Airport, Japan
Transfer to Tokyo station and then to Kawaguchiko station. Check into hostel. Free and Easy.

Kawaguchiko Station

20th July (Mon)
Free and Easy

Suggested Itinarary:

Lake Saiko/Kawaguchiko Day trip

0910 – Retro Bus from Kawaguchiko station
0950 – Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba: Visit historic Thatched roof houses. Demonstrations of crafts including silk and paper
1150 – Retro Bus to Fugaku Fuketsu
1159 – Narusawa Ice Cave and Fugaku Wind caves. Both formed by lavas from a prehistoric eruption of Mt. Fuji
1424 – Retro Bus
1502 – Kawaguchi ko Lake, Kawaguchiko cable car up Mt.Tenjo
1730 – Back to Hostel

~~~~OR~~~~

Hakone Day trip

0730 – 0840 – Kawaguchiko to Gotemba
0900 – 0933 – Gotemba to Togendai
0945 – Togendai, scenic Lake Ashi cruise to Hakone Machi.
1100 - Bus to Miyanoshita (930yen)
1130 – Hot Spring (at Miyanoshita station)
1330 – Train to Gora
1400 – Gora station. Try out the famous gyoza at the Gyoza center. (200m from station)
1500 - Soun zan. Starting point from Hakone Ropeway/Tozan Cablecar to Togendai
1530 – Stop on the way at Owakudani (Owakudani Nature trail, 25min) (volcanic activity area)
1700 – Back to Togendai
1730 – Bus from Togendai to Gotemba
1900 – Gotemba to Kawaguchiko2030 – Kawaguchiko (hostel)

21st July (Tue)
Take a bus to Mt Fuji 5th station, Have lunch, and we will start our ascent. Arrive at the mountain hut that we are staying for the night by evening. Dinner and Sleep.

Mt. Fuji 5th Station, Winding path up, Red Torii (gate), at 3250m

22nd July (Wed)
Start our final ascent at 0200h. View the spectacular sunrise at the highest point of Japan. Enjoy a walk around the crater of Mt. Fuji, as well as the highest Weather station in Japan. (Crater walk optional). We will descent and reach Mt. Fuji 5th station in the early afternoon. Take a bus back to hostel. Free and Easy.

Waiting for the sunrise

First rays of sunlight

Crater walk

Weather Station

-----------------------------------------------------

Back up plan if whole ascent cancelled:

21st July (Tue)
Head down to Lake Shoji, Lake Motosu (retro bus) and hike to Eboshi san lookout (1.5hr climb) for a view of Mt.Fuji overlooking the Aokigahara-jukai (Sea of trees)

22nd July (Wed)
Either the Lake Saiko/Kawaguchiko Day trip or Hakone Day trip (whichever one we did not do on the 20th)

And refund of $100

------------------------------------------------------

23rd July (Thu)
Transfer from Kawaguchiko Station to Tokyo Station by Highway bus. Check in to hostel in the afternoon. Free and Easy

Suggested Itinerary:
1600 – Hie Jinja (Shrine) Walk up to the shrine in a magnificent tunnel of torii
1730 – Tokyo Tower
You can then visit Japan’s famous landmark: Tokyo Tower.
1930 – Visit Roppongi to take a look at the vibrant night life there.

24th July (Fri)
Free and Easy

Suggested Itinarary:
0600 – Tsukiji Fish Market {Fresh sushi}
Watch the exciting auctions carried out early at the Tsukiji Fish Market. It is a sashimi lover’s paradise, as after looking at all the gigantic Tuna, you can head down to one of the shops to savour the sashimi fresh from the sea.
0900 – Odaiba (Sight Seeing, shopping) Among the attractions of Odaiba are several shopping and entertainment centers, theme parks, museums and the futuristic architecture and city planning.
1400 – Ginza. Drop by Ginza, where the branded outlets are located, and savour some Monja-yaki (A traditional Japanese snack).
1600 – Akihabara (Electronics, anime, manga)
This is a must for all anime/manga and gaming fans. There is also a large variety of electronics there.

Octopus at Tsukichi Fish Market, Sushi Restaurant


Tokyo Tower, Staff advertising putside Akihabara Station

Gachapon and Naruto at Akihabara

25th July (Sat)
Free and Easy

Suggested Itinerary:
0900 – Meiji Shrine
1000 – Harajuku {Popular shopping area for Japanese youths. Cosplay on weekends}
Visit the Meiji Shrine, where you can see the giant wooden ‘torii’. Next, walk to the nearby Harajuku, which is a hotspot for punk and street wear. If you are lucky, you may even see some Cosplayers there.
1200 – Shibuya {Shopping, Hachiko Statue} or Shinjuku (‘CBD’ and ‘subnade’-underground street shopping and Metropolitan Government Building) Mandarake Nakano Head store
After that, you can choose to go to Shibuya or Shinjuku. You can see the faithful dog: the ‘Hackiko statue’ at Shibuya, or you can visit the Metropolitan Government building in Shinjuku. Both areas are famous for shopping too.
1600 – Sumida Fireworks Festival
In the evening, go to the Sumida River to watch the magnificent Sumida Fireworks Festival held annually there.

Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya

26th July (Sun)
Free and Easy

Suggested Itinerary:
0900 – Asakusa Temple, Sensouji
1100 – Ameyoko (Shop and bargain at the same time!)

Asakusa

We will then meet back at Tokyo station in the early afternoon for our flight back to Singapore. We should reach Singapore around midnight.


Costs include:
All lodging
Airfare+Taxes and Fuel surcharge
Transportation between:
-Narita and Tokyo (one way)
-Tokyo and Kawaguchiko (two way)
-Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji 5th station (two way)

Costs does not include:
-All meals
-All personal transport not mentioned above
-Personal expenses
-Visa (if required)
-Insurance
-All the activities under ‘Suggested Itinerary’

Do note that for safety purposes, the ascent of Mt.Fuji will be weather permitting. The Sumida fireworks is also weather permitting.