Recommended hike in Japan Alps

by Kim Arline
(Pueblo West, Colorado, USA)

My college daughter is studying this fall at Kansai University, so I get to travel 2 weeks with her prior to the semester starting. We hike and run a lot, nothing technical here in Colorado.

Climbing Mount Fuji is definitely on our itinerary. I wanted to explore the Kii Peninsula area on the pilgrimage trails after staying in Koya-San Buddhist temple. But my daughter thought we could get a bit more time in the Japanese Alps. I am fascinated by Ontake-san, but wondering how to get there by train or bus from Fuji area and if even possible.

We will start our trip in Tokyo 2 nights and planned to head to Kawaguchiko 2 nights with day hike up and down Fuji on Yoshida trail from 5th Station. We'd like a couple nights in Kyoto, 1 in Koyasan, 1 around Kii peninsula at least before she reports to Kansai University between Nara and Kyoto I think.

Don't want to waste time on trains to turn right around, wondering if you have advice for another epic hike for us. I just don't know if heading to Nagano area is feasible and then head to Kyoto. I'm trying to figure out the trains and bus options.