Today we welcomed an American family 🇺🇸 for a private hike around the Hoei Crater on Mt. Fuji.
By coincidence, it was the official opening day of the Mt. Fuji climbing season.
Because I was guiding a small English-speaking group, a local police officer asked if they could practice their English announcements with my guests before the busy climbing season got underway.
After checking with me first, they spoke with the family for a few minutes to make sure their English instructions would be easy for international visitors to understand.
It was an unexpected and enjoyable moment, and everyone was happy to help.
From the foothills, Mt. Fuji was completely hidden by clouds, so it looked like we might not see much.
But once we reached the Fujinomiya 5th Station, we climbed above the clouds.
The summit appeared and disappeared throughout the day, creating dramatic scenery that changed from moment to moment.
Since it was opening day, the 5th Station was crowded with climbers beginning their journey to the summit.
Instead of following the crowds, we headed toward the Hoei Crater.
The trail quickly became quiet, and it almost felt like we had the mountain to ourselves.
Surrounded by dramatic volcanic scenery and wide-open views above the clouds, we enjoyed one of the most memorable lunches imaginable.
One of the best things about the Hoei Crater route is that you can experience the scale and beauty of Mt. Fuji without hiking all the way to the summit.
Sometimes, taking the quieter path leads to the most unforgettable memories.
▶ Experience Mt. Fuji’s spectacular volcanic landscape:
Mt. Fuji Hoei Crater Hiking Tour
https://chilloutdoor.jp/mtfuji/hoeihike/
▶ Easy access from Tokyo via Shin-Fuji Station:
Mt. Fuji Tours from Shin-Fuji Station
https://chilloutdoor.jp/mtfuji/shin-fuji/
▶ Planning your Mt. Fuji adventure? Start here:
Mt. Fuji Complete Travel Guide
https://chilloutdoor.jp/mtfuji/complete-guide/
