Is it more advisable to stay in the Mt. Fuji area or travel from Tokyo?
Search this site:             

Is it more advisable to stay in the Mt. Fuji area or travel from Tokyo?


(Kansas, USA)

For a once in a lifetime trip (early September), I hope to spend a week in Tokyo and almost a week hiking and bicycling in the Mt. Fuji area, including going to the Mt. Fuji summit.

Given the need for making travel reservations far in advance of weather forecasts, I wonder whether it is more advisable, to maximize chances of good climbing weather, to arrange a stay in Tokyo and 'commute' to the Mt. Fuji area in spells of dry weather or make reservations for a week in the Mt. Fuji area and hope for the best?

So many variables, so few crystal balls ;) but would appreciate the voice of experience. Many thanks for your terrific site and the opportunity to ask a question.

Comments for Is it more advisable to stay in the Mt. Fuji area or travel from Tokyo?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Mar 28, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
That's great!
by: Gary Wolff

Thanks, Ann. Hope you have a great trip...

Mar 28, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
thank you
by: ann

thank you very much for your rapid and helpful reply.
i have just ordered your mt fujibook:) domo arigato gomaizas

Mar 27, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
You can't beat the gorgeous Fuji 5 Lakes region.
by: Gary Wolff

Thanks for your kind words.

You raise a challenging, yet interesting question. So challenging in fact, it might be above the pay grade of the "voice of experience." :-)

But I'll give it a shot. If I were you, since you're already spending a week in Tokyo's concrete jungle, I'd definitely stay a week in the stunningly beautiful Fuji 5 Lakes region. As a Trip Advisor affiliate, I've already compiled a list of links where you can get lots of good info on places where you can eat, sleep, and sightsee in the Fuji 5 Lakes region.

But even if you stay in Tokyo for a 2nd week, it's not like you're gonna be on the other side of the world. The direct bus service from Shinjuku to the Mt. Fuji 5th Station is only a 2.5 hour ride, and every year there seems to be more options for getting to Fuji-san.

Just last year, the Narita Express railway started a new service running from Narita Airport all the way to Mount Fuji, offering travelers a potential way to skip Tokyo altogether along with its congested railway interchanges. You might also want to investigate whether any of JR East's numerous area pass options would work for you.

One hazard in Sept., though, you won't be able to escape, whether you're in Tokyo or at the base of Fuji-san, is all the typhoons which pound Japan in Sept. (well, actually during the entire Mt. Fuji climbing season, for that matter). Check out the graph near the top of this page showing the average number of typhoons hitting Japan by month of the year.

One good thing about the typhoons, though, is you can usually see them coming at least a week in advance, so you'll have some flexibility in changing your hiking, cycling, & climbing plans, provided you haven't already forked over a ton of cash for advance reservations. :-)

I hope I've been of some help. Best wishes & have a great once in a lifetime trip!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Climbing Mt. Fuji.

Japan-Texas ebook cover thumbnail
A FREE download at Smashwords



Pattaya ebook cover
Only $1.99 at Amazon
(¥214 at アマゾン日本)




Alaska ebook cover
Only $2.99 at Amazon
(¥340 at アマゾン日本)




GW's road trip ebook cover
Only 99¢ at Amazon
(¥114 at アマゾン日本)




new Climbing Mt. Fuji book
Only $2.99 at Amazon
(¥343 at アマゾン日本)




Only $2.99 at Amazon
(¥343 at アマゾン日本)

 



Let's connect!!

Gary J. Wolff
Facebook badge

View Gary J. Wolff's profile on LinkedIn

My pics:

My videos: YouTube logo



What's New?

  1. Ingredients in U.S. foods that are considered to be toxic in Europe

    Oct 03, 24 01:19 AM

    The U.S. government allows food companies to get away with serving American citizens popular everyday foods like Skittles, Doritos, Oreos, Froot Loops, Fanta soft drinks, Gatorade, & McDonald's french…

    Read more

  2. Mt. Fuji’s Yoshida trail may cost more to climb next year

    Oct 02, 24 08:55 PM

    Yamanashi Governor Kotaro Nagasaki on Oct. 1 revealed that he is considering raising fees to ascend the prefecture's trail up Mount Fuji starting next summer. The governor is also mulling over whether…

    Read more

  3. RFK Jr: Ukraine Funding Is 'Money Laundering Scheme' For BlackRock

    Oct 01, 24 07:44 AM

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sounded the alarm on what he perceives as a colossal money-laundering enterprise veiled under the guise of foreign aid. During a recent address, Kennedy said that billions of…

    Read more