Escape the crowds and discover a quieter, more authentic side of Mt. Fuji area.

Your journey begins at Mitsutoge Station on the Fujikyu Railway Line or the Chuo Motorway Nishikatsura Bus Stop, where you will be welcomed by a local guide from Nishikatsura—an area rarely visited by international travellers.

Instead of heading to the busy 5th Station or Kawaguchiko, you will explore the foothills of Mt. Mitsutoge, a sacred training ground for Yamabushi—mountain ascetics who follow a unique spiritual tradition blending Shinto and Buddhism. As you walk through the quiet town, you’ll learn how this area once flourished along the historic “Fujimichi,” a pilgrimage route used by worshippers making their way to Mt. Fuji.

Your hike begins along streams of remarkably clear water, leading you deep into the forest. The highlight is Daruma-ishi—a massive sacred rock shaped like Bodhidharma, engraved with ancient Sanskrit characters representing the cosmic Buddha, Vairocana. Along the way, you will visit a small mountain shrine and experience first-hand the unique blend of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs that continues to shape local spirituality.

After your morning in nature, enjoy a hands-on cultural experience by making traditional soba noodles for lunch. If you prefer, you may first relax in a local hot spring to refresh both body and mind.

In the afternoon, stroll back through the town, stopping by small, character-filled local shops before visiting Ichijoji, a Zen temple that has a striking depiction of Buddhist hell—local children were brought here and shown these images whenever they misbehaved—offering a fascinating glimpse into traditional Japanese views on morality, life, and the afterlife.

This is not just a tour—it is a deeply personal encounter with the spiritual and cultural roots of Mt. Fuji, far from the usual tourist trail.

Return to Tokyo, or continue your journey to Fujiyoshida, Kawaguchiko, or Mt. Fuji—carrying with you a quieter, more meaningful connection to this iconic region.