JAPAN 2027

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport, meet your English-speaking guide and driver before transferring to Shin-Osaka Station. Board the Shinkansen, Japan’s world-famous bullet train, for the journey to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in, with the remainder of the day available to settle in and relax after your journey.

Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima Station or  similar.

Inclusions: Airport pick-up, English-speaking guide, private group transfer, Shinkansen ticket from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima, accommodation.

After breakfast, travel by Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Kyoto. Meet your local guide and driver on arrival and begin exploring Japan’s former imperial capital.

Visit Kinkaku-ji, the celebrated Golden Pavilion, whose gold-leaf exterior reflects beautifully across its surrounding pond. Continue to Arashiyama, one of Kyoto’s most picturesque districts, where you can wander through the famous Bamboo Grove and visit Togetsukyo Bridge. Enjoy some free time to take in the scenery before transferring to your hotel.

Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Hachijoguchi or similar.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Shinkansen ticket from Hiroshima to Kyoto, English-speaking Kyoto guide, private group transport, Kinkaku-ji Temple entrance ticket, accommodation. 

Enjoy a free day in Kyoto to explore the city independently. Revisit a favourite neighbourhood, discover hidden temples and traditional gardens, browse local shops, or sample Japanese cuisine at your leisure. This is also an opportunity to rest and recharge before the journey to the Kumano Kōdō pilgrimage trails.

Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Hachijoguchi or similar. 

Inclusions: Breakfast and accommodation. 

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver and travel to Osaka, a lively city renowned for its food culture and energetic atmosphere. Visit Osaka Castle, one of the city’s most famous landmarks, before continuing to Namba and Dotonbori.

Enjoy free time around Dotonbori, known for its colourful signs, bustling streets and wide variety of local food options. In the afternoon, leave the city behind and continue by road to Kii-Tanabe, the gateway to the Kumano Kōdō pilgrimage region. Check in at your hotel and prepare for the trekking days ahead.

Overnight: Comfort Hotel Kii Tanabe or similar.

Inclusions: Breakfast, English-speaking guide, private group transport for the Osaka visit and transfer to Kii-Tanabe, accommodation. 

Take on the final and demanding hiking stage of your Kumano Kōdō journey. After breakfast, meet your guide and transfer by local bus to Koguchi. Set out on an approximately 14 km trek through the mountainous terrain towards Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the region’s most important sacred shrines.

As you approach Nachi, the trail brings you to a remarkable combination of spiritual heritage and natural beauty. On arrival, visit the shrine area before transferring to Katsuura, where you will check in at your hotel and enjoy a well-earned evening following the completion of your multi-day pilgrimage.

Trekking distance: Approximately 14 km.

Overnight: Hotel Urashima Nisshokan Japanese-style room.

Inclusions: Breakfast, packed trail lunch, English-speaking trail guide, local bus transfer to Koguchi, luggage forwarding to Katsuura, transfer to the hotel and dinner.

After breakfast, leave the Kumano region by train, travelling from Kii-Katsuura to Nagoya aboard the Limited Express Nanki. Continue from Nagoya to Mishima by Shinkansen, enjoying another experience of Japan’s efficient and comfortable rail network.

On arrival at Mishima Station, meet your driver for the transfer to the Lake Kawaguchiko area, one of the most popular gateways to Mount Fuji. Check in at your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax, admire the surroundings and prepare for the mountain adventure ahead.

Overnight: Breeze Bay Lake Resort Kawaguchiko or similar.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Limited Express Nanki ticket, Shinkansen ticket from Nagoya to Mishima, private group transfer from Mishima to Kawaguchiko, English-speaking guide and accommodation. Dinner at hotel.

Today, your Mount Fuji adventure begins. After breakfast, meet your guide and driver and travel to Subaru Fuji 5th Station, the starting point for your ascent along the Yoshida Trail.

Begin climbing towards the mountain’s higher elevations, following the established trail through the changing volcanic landscape. As the altitude increases, take a steady approach and allow time to acclimatise along the way. By late afternoon, arrive at the mountain hut at the 8th Station, where you will check in and rest before the summit attempt.

The evening is an opportunity to recover, enjoy dinner and prepare your equipment for the early start the following morning.

Overnight: Fujisan Hotel mountain hut at Mount Fuji’s 8th Station, in shared dormitory accommodation. No bath or shower facilities are available.

Inclusions: Breakfast, English-speaking mountain guide, private group transfer to Subaru Fuji 5th Station, accommodation at the mountain hut, dinner.

Rise early for the highlight of the journey: the summit attempt on Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain at 3,776 metres. Meet your mountain guide at approximately 3:00 am and begin the final ascent from the 8th Station towards the summit.

The itinerary schedules arrival at the summit at approximately 4:30 am. Take in the extraordinary mountain setting before beginning your descent along the Yoshida Trail at approximately 5:30 am. Descend to Subaru Fuji 5th Station, where your driver will meet you for the transfer back to Kawaguchiko.

Arrive at your hotel around midday and enjoy a well-deserved rest following this challenging mountain experience.

Overnight: Breeze Bay Lake Resort Kawaguchiko or similar.

Inclusions: Breakfast, English-speaking mountain guide for the summit ascent and descent, private group transfer from Subaru Fuji 5th Station to Kawaguchiko, accommodation and dinner. 

The summit attempt is subject to weather, trail conditions, individual fitness and the mountain guide’s safety assessment. Reaching the summit cannot be guaranteed.

After breakfast, explore the beautiful surroundings of Lake Kawaguchiko. Visit Oishi Park, known for its lakeside views and opportunities to admire Mount Fuji when conditions allow. Continue to Oshino Hakkai, a traditional village famous for its clear spring-water ponds and picturesque setting.

Later, travel to Tokyo, Japan’s dynamic capital. On arrival, explore the Shinjuku area, including its famous 3D cat display and Don Quijote, before continuing to Kabukicho, one of Tokyo’s best-known entertainment districts. Transfer to your hotel and check in.

Overnight: Hotel Monterey Ginza or similar.

Inclusions: Breakfast, English-speaking guide, private group transport for the Kawaguchiko sightseeing tour and transfer to Tokyo, accommodation. 

Discover contrasting sides of Tokyo on a full-day city tour. Begin at Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa, one of the capital’s best-known Buddhist temples. Walk along Nakamise Street, a traditional shopping street lined with stalls selling souvenirs, local snacks and Japanese specialities.

Continue to Harajuku and Omotesando, where contemporary fashion, architecture and shopping create a striking contrast with the city’s historic districts. In the afternoon, head to Shibuya to experience the world-famous Shibuya Crossing and see the statue of Hachikō, the loyal dog remembered for his devotion. Return to the hotel in the early evening.

Overnight: Hotel Monterey Ginza or similar.

Inclusions: Breakfast, English-speaking Tokyo guide, private group transport for the city tour and accommodation. 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Full free day at leisure in Tokyo, before our evening flight for the transfer to the airport, bringing an unforgettable Japanese journey to a close: from the history of Hiroshima and the temples of Kyoto to the ancient Kumano Kōdō trails and the summit adventure on Mount Fuji.

Overnight: No overnight accommodation — departure late in the evening.

Inclusions: Breakfast, English-speaking guide and private group transfer from the hotel to the airport. 

End of Services.

This tour is best suited to moderately fit to very fit travellers who enjoy hiking and are comfortable with physically demanding outdoor activities. You do not need to be an elite athlete, but a good level of fitness and preparation is essential to fully enjoy the experience.

The Kumano Kōdō pilgrimage includes several consecutive hiking days, covering approximately 7.5–14 km per day over forest trails, uneven ground, stone steps and steep ascents and descents. The Mount Fuji experience is the most demanding part of the trip, involving an ascent to the 8th Station, an overnight stay in a basic mountain hut, and an early-morning summit attempt followed by a descent.

We recommend that participants:

• Exercise regularly and be comfortable walking for several hours at a time.

• Have some previous hiking or hill-walking experience, ideally on consecutive days.

• Be able to manage steep climbs, uneven terrain and long descents.

• Prepare with regular walks, hill training and hikes in the footwear they intend to use.

• Be comfortable with basic mountain-hut facilities, limited sleep and an early start for the Mount Fuji summit attempt.

You do not need technical climbing skills, but stamina, sure-footedness and a positive attitude are important. Weather, altitude and trail conditions can make the hikes more challenging, and reaching the summit of Mount Fuji cannot be guaranteed.

Not sure if this trip is right for you? Contact MexVentures before booking to discuss your fitness, hiking experience and preparation.

To make your life easier, we are offering a complimentary training plan to all our clients, designed by Ryan Mex. You need to be in good physical shape to book this trip.

Our Japan adventure takes place from 21 June to 6 July, a beautiful time to explore the country’s lush landscapes, historic temples and mountain trails. However, this period coincides with Japan’s rainy season (tsuyu), which generally runs from early June to mid-July in many parts of the country. Expect a mix of sunshine, cloud, rain and high humidity rather than consistently dry weather.

What weather can you expect?

• Hiroshima, Kyoto and Osaka: Expect warm, humid conditions, with daytime temperatures often around 25–32°C and the possibility of frequent rain showers.

• Kumano Kōdō: The forest trails are particularly lush and atmospheric at this time of year. However, the region receives substantial rainfall, so muddy, slippery paths and wet hiking days are possible.

• Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji: Conditions can vary considerably. The lower elevations may be warm, while temperatures at altitude can be close to freezing, particularly before sunrise at the summit. Cloud cover may also affect views of Mount Fuji.

• Tokyo: Expect warm, humid summer weather, with temperatures often around 25–32°C and the possibility of rain.

Can we climb Mount Fuji at this time?

Yes. The itinerary’s planned ascent on 2–3 July coincides with the usual opening period of the Yoshida Trail, whose official 2026 climbing season runs from 1 July to 10 September. The 2027 arrangements and opening dates must be confirmed closer to departure. The summit attempt remains subject to trail access, weather and the mountain guide’s safety assessment.

What should I pack?

Bring waterproof hiking clothing, a reliable rain jacket and trousers, quick-drying layers, comfortable broken-in hiking boots, sun protection and warm insulated clothing for Mount Fuji. A waterproof cover for your daypack and spare dry clothing are also recommended.

Is the rainy season a reason not to travel?

Not at all. Japan remains rewarding to explore during this period, with vibrant green landscapes, atmospheric forest trails and fewer of the intense summer conditions that develop later in the season. However, this is an adventure trip, so flexibility is important: heavy rain, strong winds or unsafe trail conditions may require changes to the hiking programme, including the Mount Fuji summit attempt.

Yes, ofcourse. As long as you are in Tokyo on the trip dates, you are free to arrive / leave whenever you want. It is best to let us know your plans so we can organise transfers accordingly.

Every particpant is required to make a travel insurance package which covers trekking up to 3700m. This is an absolute must.

The tour combines comfortable city hotels with traditional Japanese guesthouses and a unique overnight stay in a mountain hut on Mount Fuji, offering a varied accommodation experience throughout your journey.

• City hotels: Stay in comfortable hotels in Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kii-Tanabe, Kawaguchiko and Tokyo, with twin-sharing rooms and private bathroom facilities as specified.

• Traditional Japanese guesthouses (minshuku): During the Kumano Kōdō pilgrimage, experience traditional Japanese-style accommodation in the Chikatsuyu area and Koguchi. These stays offer a more authentic atmosphere, with shared bathroom facilities at the Koguchi guesthouse.

• Kawayu Onsen: Enjoy a traditional Japanese-style room at Fujiya, with a private bath and toilet, in the hot-spring village of Kawayu Onsen.

• Katsuura: Stay at Hotel Urashima in a Japanese-style room, providing a different experience from the Western-style city hotels.

• Mount Fuji mountain hut: Spend one night at Fujisan Hotel at the mountain’s 8th Station in shared dormitory accommodation. This is a basic mountain hut with no bath or shower facilities, designed to provide a place to rest before the early-morning summit attempt.

Daily breakfast is included throughout the tour. Selected dinners are provided at the traditional guesthouses, Kawayu Onsen, Katsuura and the Mount Fuji mountain hut, while packed lunches are included on designated Kumano Kōdō trekking days.

Total of 15 breakfast, 4 Lunches, 7 Dinners.

Other meals are at your own expense.

There are generally no mandatory vaccinations for travellers visiting Japan from Malta. However, we recommend checking that your routine vaccinations are up to date before departure.

Please call the Floriana Vaccination centre for more infos. 

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