【Mountain Day Commemoration】Family Hiking Event from Verdant Makiiwa to Gravelly Futatsuzuka on August 11

The Shizuoka Branch of The Japanese Alpine Club (Branch Chief: Toyohisa Suwabe) will host an experiential hiking event titled "Mountain Day Commemoration Family Hike: Tracing the Footsteps of the Hoei Eruption" on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (a national holiday), for parent-child pairs with children from grade 3 to junior high school.

Under the reliable support of Japanese Alpine Club members, this event invites participants to experience two contrasting worlds of Mount Fuji: its "lush primeval forest" and "barren volcanic gravel (sareki)." The goal is to instill awareness of nature conservation and safe mountain climbing in the next generation, while strengthening family bonds and passing on local mountain culture to the future.

Event Highlights and Course Overview

Starting from the Gotemba New Fifth Station, this hiking course allows participants to enjoy the dynamic natural transitions of Mount Fuji with all five senses.

First Half: Lush Primeval Forest Route Walk along a refreshing forest trail shaded by trees and head toward "Makiiwa (1,700m)," surrounded by rich greenery.

Second Half: Gravel Route Tracing the Hoei Eruption After ascending to "Ko-Tengu-zuka (1,913m)," the landscape dramatically changes. Descend across desolate gravel hills that tell the story of the historic Hoei eruption, aiming for the summit of "Futatsuzuka-Shitazuka (1,804m)."

A Spectacular Finish From the summit of Futatsuzuka-Shitazuka, a breathtaking panoramic view of Hakone and Sagami Bay unfolds. After enjoying the scenery, participants will return to the Gotemba New Fifth Station.

Group photo from the 2024 family hike (below Mount Ho-ei)

Event Details

Date and Time: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (National Holiday) 8:00 AM assembly – 3:00 PM dismissal

Planned Course: Mount Fuji (Gotemba New Fifth Station → Makiiwa → Futatsuzuka → Gotemba New Fifth Station: approx. 7.6 km)

Meeting Point: Parking Lot No. 3, Gotemba New Fifth Station

Organizer: Shizuoka Branch, The Japanese Alpine Club

Participation Fee: 1,000 JPY per person (includes insurance and materials; transportation costs are at participants’ own expense)

Eligibility and Capacity: First 16 applicants

・Children: Grades 3 to junior high school (up to two children per family)

・Guardians: Up to approximately 70 years old

Application Deadline: August 4, 2026 (Tuesday) by 5:00 PM (or earlier if capacity is reached)

Required Clothing and Gear: Backpack, long-sleeve shirt, long pants, hat, gloves, hiking boots, rain gear, about 1 liter of water, lunch, snacks, towel, ground mat, pocket tissues, garbage bag, change of clothes (to be left in vehicle). 【Recommended Items】Trekking poles, magnet, gaiters, headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent

★ In case of cancellation due to rain or other conditions, participants will be notified by 7:00 PM on Monday, August 10, 2026.

How to Apply

Applications accepted via email or phone.

Email Application: Please use the subject line "Application for Mountain Day Family Hike" and include the following in the body: 【Name, Date of Birth, Address, Phone Number】. Send to the email address below.

Email Address: [email protected]

Phone Application (for those unable to email)

Contact: Sugisaki, The Japanese Alpine Club (090-9937-6534)

※ For emergency contact purposes, please ensure a reachable phone number is provided during application.

Mount Fuji summit and Hoei Crater (from Mitsuji)

Forest trail in Mount Fuji’s primeval forest