Japan

Trip info

Flight info

United 875  Denver       08:30  Wed 13 May
            Tokyo        14:55  Thu 14 May

United 890  Tokyo        17:30  Sat 23 May
            Los Angeles  11:11
United 366  Los Angeles  12:40

Schedule

13 May

Depart Denver 08:30.

14 May

Arrive Tokyo 14:55.

Sightseeing. Conveyor belt sushi bar.

15 May

Kabuki. Bus or train to Fujiyoshida (2 hours). Maybe try to sleep in a ryokan inn.

16 May

Mount Fuji climb. Hot spring afterward. Udon noodles.

17 May

Fuji Sengen shrine. Backup Mount Fuji climb. Ninja museum. Train to Osaka (3 hours).

18 May

Osaka castle. Find some good eats. Fugu.

19 May

Day trip to Kyoto.

20 May

Train to Mutsu (10 hours).

21 May

Mount Osore (30 minutes from Mutsu). Camp in Yagen Valley.

22 May

Train back to Tokyo (5 hours). Sumo match.

23 May

Depart Tokyo 17:30. Arrive Denver 16:00.

Things to do

• Shinto shrine
• Sumo wrestling
• Udon noodles
• Mount Fuji
• Fugu
• Mount Osore
• Hot springs
• Kabuki
• Shinkansen
• Osaka Castle
• Ninja museum

Packing list

Personal stuff

• 3 pairs underwear
• 2 pairs white socks
• 2 T-shirts
• 1 collared shirt
• 1 long-sleeve shirt
• 1 pair jeans
• 1 pair swim trunks
• Jacket (parka liner)
• Belt
• 1 pair shoes
• Hand towel
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Comb
• Hair goop
• Sunscreen Chap Stick
• Soap/body wash
• Passport
• Travel documentation
• Cold hard American cash
• Credit/debit card
• Phrasebook
• Reading books
• Sunglasses
• Pen
• Notebook
• Business cards
• Camera and memory card
• Small gifts to participate in the gift culture

Shared stuff

• Shaving cream (David)
• Shampoo (David)
• Sunscreen (David)
• Toothpaste (David)
• Dental floss (David)
• Watch/alarm clock (Jimmy)

Camping/Mount Fuji gear

• Waterproof hiking boots
• Non-cotton pants
• Waterproof parka shell with hood
• Gaiters
• Long underwear
• 1 pair hiking socks
• 1 pair warm winter socks
• Warm winter hat
• Winter mittens or gloves
• Large daypack
• Water bottle
• Light sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner
• Whistle
• Flashlight (David)
• Spare batteries (David)
• Pocketknife (David)
• Compass (David)
• Lighter (David)
• First aid kit (David)
• Tent (Jimmy)

“Maybe” pile

• More socks
• More T-shirts
• More underwear
• Baseball cap
• Sandals
• Shorts
• Additional warm upper-body layer
• Dress shirt and pants

Links

Transportation

• Japan Rail pass also Japan Rail pass
• Japan Rail map
• Hitchhiking in Japan

Mount Fuji

• Fujiyoshida city web site
• Off-season climbing form
• Summary of trails
• Kawaguchiko/Yoshidaguchi trail (from Fujiyoshida city)
• Kawaguchiko fifth station bus schedule

Sumo

• A typical tournament day

Misc

• Free things to do in Tokyo
• Trip report of a trip like ours, with Mount Fuji, Mount Osore. View in Google Maps.

Notes

Mutsu tourist office 0175-22-0909, near the bus terminal. Arrange habitation in the northern peninsula.