Welcome to Japan
Experience the adventure of a lifetime as you ascend the sacred slopes of Mount Fuji, run through the lively streets of Tokyo, and explore meticulously curated itineraries in Kamakura, Enoshima, Hakone, and around the scenic Lake Kawaguchi.
This breathtaking 8-day journey is packed with incredible running and hiking, immersing you in the vibrant fusion of traditional and modern Japanese culture.
Challenge yourself with incredible hikes and trail runs through both urban landscapes and astonishing natural settings, enjoy enriching walking tours, and, if you wish, get smartphone-friendly photography advice guided by an ultramarathoner and professional photographer.
Accommodation Notes
For the first four nights of the itinerary, the standard accommodation includes single, twin, or triple-share rooms in comfortable and well-located hotels across Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, and Gotemba.
On Day 5, the experience continues with an overnight stay at the summit of Mount Fuji in a traditional mountain hut. These huts follow a classic alpine refuge style, with shared, communal sleeping arrangements in one large room. Due to the nature of the huts, private rooms are not available for this night.
The final two nights are spent in shared cabins near Lake Kawaguchi. As with the mountain hut, the layout of the cabins means that accommodation is shared, and single rooms are not available.
Please note: The single package price applies to the first four nights only. The Mount Fuji summit stay and the final two nights in cabins are shared experiences for all participants.
- Packages Include
- Transportation throughout the whole experience.
- 7 nights’ accommodations for the duration of the experience.
Start: Sun 02 Aug 2026
Finish: Sun 09 Aug 2026 - Local culinary experiences – some dietary preferences can be accommodated but please contact us for detailed information.
- Return transportation to either Shinjuku or Tokyo stations from Lake Kawaguchi on the last day.
- Specially designed trails.
- Knowledgeable and professional local guides.
- Optional travel photography advise and instructions.
- Complimentary La Familia Global Community Membership (approximately AU$75 value).
- IMPORTANT
- Emergency medical insurance is mandatory for this Japan retreat.
PACKAGE PRICES
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday, August 2, 2026: Meet-Up + Warm-Up 3.3 Km Run
Your Japan adventure begins in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, surrounded by neon lights and urban energy. After meeting your guides and settling into the hotel, you’ll head out for an easy 3 km shake-out run through the lively Kabukicho neighborhood, giving you a perfect first glimpse into Tokyo’s nightlife. The evening continues with a welcome dinner at Sushi Ginzo, followed by an optional stop at Tokyo’s best outdoor gear shops to pick up last-minute trail snacks and running essentials.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 – Monday, August 3, 2026: Meiji Jingu Shrine 8 Km Run + Enoshima Walking Tour
Start your morning with an optional 8 km pre-breakfast run to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, a peaceful escape in the heart of Tokyo. Explore tree-lined paths, pause at the mirrored entrance of Tokyu Plaza, and experience the vibrant energy of Harajuku’s Takeshita Street before breakfast. Afterward, you’ll travel by train to Kamakura, where you’ll spend the afternoon exploring the seaside town and the island of Enoshima, walking along scenic trails and the coastline. The day concludes with dinner at AW Kitchen, blending Italian and Japanese flavors.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Tuesday, August 4, 2026: Kamakura Beach & Daibutsu 6.5 Km Trail Run + Hakone
Greet the morning with a sunrise stretch, then set out on a 6.5 km run along the Kuzuharaoka–Daibutsu Trail, winding through forested paths, quiet neighborhoods, and hilltop lookouts with views of Mount Fuji. Your run will end at the beautiful Yuigahama Beach, followed by a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, you’ll spend time exploring Kamakura’s shrines, bamboo groves, and lively street-food markets, soaking in the town’s rich blend of tradition and coastal charm. In the afternoon, you’ll travel to Hakone, a peaceful mountain retreat known for its hot springs, museums, and natural beauty. Enjoy a gentle evening walk and an optional onsen soak before a well-deserved night’s rest.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Wednesday, August 5, 2026: Hakone 8.2 Km Trail Run + Gotemba
Start your day with a scenic bus journey through the mountains toward Lake Ashi, where you’ll board a cruise boat and see Mount Fuji and the famous floating red torii gate in the distance. Next, experience the Hakone Ropeway, providing a fascinating view of the volcanic landscape. Once you exit the gondola, your 8.2 km run will follow sections of the historic Tokaido Route, traversing ancient cobblestones, cedar-lined paths, and waterfalls before enjoying a restorative stop at a natural hot spring and lunch. Then, you’ll travel to Gotemba, nestled at the foot of Mount Fuji, for dinner and preparation for your ascent the following day.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Thursday, August 6, 2026: Mount Fuji 6.9 Km Ascent + Crater Rim 2.6 Km Run
After breakfast, you’ll check out and send your luggage ahead to Lake Kawaguchi cottages, where it will be waiting for you upon arrival the next day. Carrying only daypacks, you’ll travel to the Subashiri 5th Station trailhead to begin your ascent of Japan’s most iconic mountain. The climb follows a volcanic trail of sand, lava rock, and alpine terrain, offering wide-open views and a gradual but steady challenge. You’ll move in small pace groups, stopping regularly to rest, hydrate, and take in the changing landscape. Remember to bring small change for bathrooms and warm drinks at mountain huts, and that all waste must be carried down. At the summit, you’ll settle into the Chojo Fujikan Mountain Hut before running or hiking the 2.6 km Ohachi Meguri Crater Rim Trail, a breathtaking loop circling the volcano’s edge. As the sun sets, you’ll share a warm meal and rest early, preparing for an unforgettable sunrise.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Friday, August 7, 2026: Mount Fuji 8.5 Km Descent + Kawaguchi Lake
You’ll rise before dawn to witness the sunrise from the summit of Mount Fuji, as the first light spills across the horizon in a moment of quiet reflection and awe. After a simple breakfast in the hut, you’ll begin your 8.5 km descent via the Yoshida Trail, passing through sections of soft volcanic gravel and winding switchbacks. Some may choose to take it slow, while others may prefer a light downhill run. Once you reach the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, take the time to pause and share how the climb and sunrise have shaped your journey. Depending on your appetite, you’ll either stop for an early lunch or a coffee break before taking the bus to Kawaguchiko Station. At Lake Kawaguchi, your luggage will be waiting for you at the cottages. The rest of the day is meant for rest and recovery, whether swimming in the lake, walking by the water, or simply enjoying the sight of Mount Fuji reflected on the surface. In the evening, you’ll gather for dinner at Kobaiya and enjoy a peaceful walk back along the shoreline to your cottages.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Saturday, August 8, 2026: Mount Shimoyama Trail Run – 10.7 Km + Kawaguchi Lake Bike Tour
After a relaxed breakfast, you’ll head out for a 10.7 km run on the Mount Shimoyama–Tenjoyama Kokuko Trail, part of the Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji course. Expect soft forest trails, rope-assisted descents, and stunning viewpoints over the mountain. Later, you’ll trade running shoes for bikes and ride the Lake Kawaguchi circuit, a peaceful route surrounded by pine trees and mirror-like water. As the sun sets, you’ll gather for a farewell barbecue dinner at your cottages, celebrating a week of movement, culture, and connection.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Sunday, August 9, 2026: Kawaguchi Lake to Tokyo
Your final day’s itinerary will be decided once your group learns everyone’s departure flights. After the team has everyone’s departure schedule, this portion of the itinerary will be updated with a potential early morning group activity.
Meals included: Breakfast
NOT INCLUDED
- Airport transfers are not included
- Alcoholic beverages and any additional drinks & meals beyond those at meal time are not included
- Anything else not specified in the itinerary
Testimonials
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Experience Information
Entry Fees
Each day of trekking or running is included in the cost of your package.
Start Time
The days activities generally start between 7:30–9:00 a.m., depending on the day’s terrain and weather. Exact times will be confirmed daily during the experience.
Pace & Difficulty
All paces welcome! This experience is about discovery and connection, not speed. The groups are tailored by pace, with guides and regrouping points so no one is left behind. If you can complete the longest distance of the itinerary at your own comfortable pace and can hike up a similar elevation of Mount Fuji, you’re ready to join the tour.
The Terrain
In Tokyo, you will mostly run on pavement, exploring a famous shrine and lively urban streets. In Enoshima and Kamakura, expect a blend of beach, buffed trail, and road, with ocean views and shaded forest paths. Hakone offers some village paved roads, a short single track uphill, and then a long, wide and gradual descent.
On Mount Fuji, the terrain transitions from lush vegetation and lava rocks to high-altitude volcanic stone. Trekking poles are highly encouraged for added stability. At Lake Kawaguchi, the Tenjoyama Kokuko Trail, part of the Mount Fuji 100 ultramarathon course, offers a smooth, non-technical surface with one short rope-assisted descent.
DAILY DISTANCES
During the tour, daily distances range from 3.3 to 10.7 km.
The 10.7 km Hakone trail and road run is the longest of the daily runs.
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
Once registered, detailed clothing advice will be provided.
Transport
Transportation throughout the whole experience is included (excluding airport arrival/departure transfers).
Elevation Gain / Loss
Most of the journey takes place at sea level (Tokyo, Kamakura, Enoshima). Hakone is about 500 meters above sea level, Lake Kawaguchi sits at 830 m, and for the Mount Fuji trail, we’ll start at 1,970 m and reach the summit at around 3,750 m.
Weather Conditions
In late July and early August you can expect warm summer days in Tokyo, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 31°C (77°F to 88°F) and high humidity, along with the chance of refreshing afternoon showers.
Kamakura, just by the coast, enjoys similar weather but with slightly cooler sea breezes, making runs along the shoreline especially pleasant. At Fuji Kawaguchiko, the higher elevation brings milder conditions—around 20°C to 26°C (68°F to 79°F)—with a balance of sunny skies and occasional rain, perfect for outdoor adventures.
The summit of Mount Fuji is a world of its own: much cooler at 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F), often windy and sometimes blowing rain, and requiring warm layers with waterproof outer layers, and preparation for the ever-changing alpine climate.
