Mt. Adatara Fall Foliage Hike - 安達太良山 紅葉ハイク

October 20, 2020 

Spectacular display of fall foliage is on parade in Mt. Adatara, Fukushima, Japan. Gorgeous fall colors are breathtaking and can be seen endlessly all along the trail and through the mountains as you go. This is one of the most beautiful fall hikes I’ve gone for.🍁🍁🍁 Totally jaw dropping and eye popping! 😲🤩 The massive volcanic crater near the top is quite a sight and otherworldly.🌋 

The hike offers spectacular vistas, colors and landscape. In addition,　soaking in the hot springs right by trailhead wraps up the hike perfect!♨️👍

Trail is well maintained and hiking boots are recommended as the route gets partially rocky and muddy. 

Hiked on 10/20/2020 

Summit: 1,700m(5,577ft) 

Gain: 750m(2,460ft) 

Distance: *10km(6.2 miles) loop including 2km/ropeway to descend 

*I took 6km(3.7 miles) route to summit Mt. Adatara ascending from Okudake trailhead via Kurogane Hut. However, most people take 4km route to Mt. Adatara using ropeway from trailhead to Yakushidake and trek to summit. 

Info about Mt. Adatara: https://www.city.nihonmatsu.lg.jp/page/page002703.html

 

Video by Lifeisamt

 

Climbing Mt. Fuji (3,776m/12,390ft) - 9/16/2019

Mt. Fuji summit crator

The Journey

Climbing Mt. Fuji was one of my bucket lists this year, so I'm glad I could cross that out. I scaled Mt. Fuji via Fujinomiya Route on 9/16/2019. The official climbing season/2019 ended on September 10, and mountain huts/toilets en route were already closed and not available until 2020 season. Hence, I climbed at my own risk. Be well prepared for frequent weather/temp change (rain, mist, gust, rockfall, whiteout, clouds and intense sun) and altitude sickness during the climb as Mt. Fuji is a solitary mountain and the surrounding weather changes so quickly as it develops its own weather. 

Mt. Fuji is named UNESCO’s World Heritage Cultural site since 2013. Climb and experience Mt. Fuji in environmentally/ecologically conscious manner for generations to come. 

Distance/Fujinomiya Trail: 10km RT 
Elevation Gain: 1,376m (2,400/3,776) 
Summit: 3,776m (Kengamine Peak)

About Mt. Fuji  

Mt. Fuji (Fujisan) is the most iconic peak of Japan. It is Japan's highest (3,776m/12,390ft) and most famous mountain, inspiring Japanese art and literature for centuries. It is also revered as a sacred mountain and many climbers attempt to summit and see the sunrise. Mt. Fuji is an active stratovolcano and last erupted in 1707-1708.

The official climbing season is from early July to mid September. This is when the mountain is usually free of snow and the weather is relatively mild.

There are 4 officially designated trails for climbing Mt. Fuji, and each trail is divided into 10 stations with 5th station as trailhead. The 4 trails are Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Subashiri, and Gotemba trails. Depending on the trail, the terrain and condition of the climbing route vary with distance, incline, rockiness/sandiness, facing north/east/south.  

Yoshida Trail

Elevation: 2300m
Ascent: 6 hours
Descent: 3.5 hours
This is the most popular climbing route and the most accessible with many mountain huts along the way.

Fujinomiya Trail

Elevation: 2400m
Ascent: 5 hours
Descent: 2 hours and 45 minutes
This is the southern approach to summit. It is the shortest and steepest route. 

Subashiri Trail

Elevation: 2000m
Ascent: 5.5 hours
Descent: 3 hours
Subashiri Trail starts in the forest and meets Yoshida Trail near the 8th station.

Gotemba Trail

Elevation: 1400m
Ascent: 7.5 hours
Descent: 3 hours
This is the longest approach to summit per time and distance and the terrain is sandy.

For detailed infomation and guidelines of climbing Mt. Fuji, visit the official web site for Mt. Fuji Climbing.

Video by Lifeisamt

At Mt. Fuji summit: 3,776m (Kengamine Peak)