Mountain biking & Summer skiing in an embrace of Mt. Fuji

Needless to say, Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan. It would be such a shame if you missed out on mountain related sports in Fujikawaguchiko at the foot of Mt. Fuji! Mountain climbing is surely a fun activity but why don’t you try mountain biking or summer skiing with a view of Mt. Fuji?

For starters, how about mountain biking on the trails at the foot of Mt. Fuji supervised by a professional?

Daiki Takahashi, one of the most famous professional MTB free riders in Japan, supervises the mountain biking trails where you can enjoy the views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko. He aims to make a bike park like “Whistler Mountain Bike Park” in Canada, one of the hottest mountain biking countries in the world, and he’s working hard daily on biking trails at “Fujiten”.
There are currently 7 trails, which are called Grasshopper, Roller Coaster, Bashamichi, Dark Volcano, Matty’s Loops, Skillpark and Little Whistler. From a beginner’s trail “Grasshopper” to a skilled rider’s trail “Little Whistler” with multiple jumps, which is definitely a no-go zone for beginners, there are trails for all the levels.
On top of that, you can just come “empty-handed” to enjoy biking on those trails. You just need to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You can get everything else you need from the rental shop and other shops at Fujiten.

If you want to enjoy skiing even in summer, summer skiing is for you!

Fujiten, where they have those mountain biking trails, is actually a ski resort in winter. Generally ski slopes are closed during summer but they keep their slopes open for those who want to enjoy skiing in summer. The latest “carving mats”, which work well for both sliding and turning, are used on the slopes and it feels extremely close to sliding on real snow so you can use winter skis, snowboards and boots as is unlike grass skiing. Thus you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding here even in summer. Moreover, you can also come “empty-handed” and enjoy this activity.
In addition, you can enjoy “grass skiing” at Fujiten as well.

If you’re not so much into sports, how about trying Bockerl?

We talked about two different types of sports, mountain biking and skiing but some of you might be thinking like “I don’t really like playing sports…” If you feel you’re not good at playing sports, then “Bockerl” is something you can enjoy. Bockerl is a sport sled originated in Germany. When you can’t ski or snowboard at a ski resort, you might feel a bit embarrassed to go slide on a sledge among children. But this is “a sport sledge” so it is a legitimate sport. Nevertheless, it’s very easy and those who are not so good at playing sports can also enjoy it.

Now, we’ll explain about how this sledge works. It has 3 big thick wheels in a row like inline skates, a fixed type of handlebar on top between the front wheel and the middle wheel, and a seat at the rear. If you’re into fast rides, you can slide down a slope on the sledge like a roller coaster but it actually has a brake so you can also go down slowly using a brake. That’s why it’s easy and safe for those who are not so confident in playing sports.

ACCESS

Fujiten
8545-1 Fujisan, Narusawa-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi-ken
TEL: 0555-85-2000
Email: fuji-ten@fujikanko.co.jp

You can even go camping “empty-handed”!

Yamanashi Prefecture, where Fujikawaguchiko is located, is well known for having a lot of camping sites and of course there are a number of camping sites around Lake Kawaguchiko as well. But to go camping, you’ll need to prepare a lot of things. Unlike when staying at a hotel, you’ll need a tent for sleeping to begin with. You’ll also need a portable stove for cooking and plates to eat off of.
It’s extremely difficult when you’re coming from overseas and trying to bring all those things you need for camping. You could buy them after arriving in Japan, but how would you bring all of them to the camping site? If you buy them here, would you take them all back home with you? There’s a problem after problem when you think about it.
So to solve all those problems, we would like to introduce a camping site where you can go “empty-handed”. While there are quite a few camping sites in Fujikawaguchiko where you can go empty-handed, we recommend this site called “CAMP AKAIKE”. It’s an excellent camping site and it’s also close to an amusement facility, which is always a plus!

A camping site which is in “Akaike”, the phantom 6th lake of “Fuji Six Lakes”

“CAMP AKAIKE” has a site area of about 3 hectares. They have cabins, an auto camping site, a camping site, a dog run, a camp kitchen, showers, a recreation room (gym), a hammock area and so on and you can also enjoy activities in the forest and BBQs.
Akaike in the name of this camping site refers to a lake called “Akaike” and this site is located near the lake. It’s called a lake but it usually doesn’t have any water in it. Akaike is a marsh usually covered with grass but it’s called a “phantom lake” because it only appears when the water level of Lake Shojiko rises due to a typhoon or heavy rain and the water comes through underground. It’s the sixth lake of the “Fuji Six Lakes”.

Just come here completely “empty-handed”. Everything is sorted.

They provide everything you need for camping. You’ll need to pay for them but many say that they’re reasonably priced here even if you rent everything you need compared to other camping sites in Japan. You can choose what you want to rent so by choosing only the absolute necessary in accordance with your situation, you can keep the cost down and enjoy camping as well.

Luxurious “Glamping” is also available.

“Glamping”, a luxurious style of camping with facilities as glamorous as hotels, is popular in Japan these days and you can also enjoy glamping here at “CAMP AKAIKE”. They offer a glamping stay called “’LOGOS Glamorous’ Site Rental Package”. It’s limited to 1 group per day and the cost is 25,000yen on weekdays and 30,000yen on weekends and public holidays, which include a facility fee for 4 people, a site fee and a rental fee (It can accommodate up to 8 people. 3,000yen is charged per person when a group has more than 5 people). You can rent and get fully equipped with our camping goods including a 7.2m tent, a sleeping tent, a tarp, beds, envelope sleeping bags, blankets, chairs, tables, a BBQ grill, a wood stove, cooking utensils, plates, cutlery, lanterns and so on. Moreover, all of those goods are products of “LOGOS”, which is a world famous maker of outdoor goods and popular among outdoor lovers.
You might feel it’s expensive when you only look at the total cost but let’s have a look at each cost here. They generally charge 800yen per person for an admission fee, 1,000yen per tent (up to 4 people) for a site fee, 3,000yen for a large tent rental, 1,000yen for a tarp rental and from 300yen for rentals of a blanket and other goods. In addition, with this “’LOGOS Glamorous’ Site Rental Package”, all the camping goods you rent are luxurious LOGOS products. Considering those points, you can say it’s priced quite reasonably.

Another camping package they offer is a rental package for camping beginners.

Some of you might be thinking that you don’t want a luxurious camping experience like glamping, but you want everything you need prepared for you in a package since you’re a camping beginner. For those people, they have a “Special Site Rental Package”. This is also limited to 1 group per day and the cost is 14,000yen on weekdays and 15,000yen on weekends and public holidays. This package is simple and includes camping goods for 4 people, which are a wood stove, firewood, a tarp, a BBQ grill (charcoal not included), a gas burner, a fire pit, chairs, a table lantern, airbeds, bedding sets and blankets. If you need something extra like a sleeping tent, you can rent them separately for their general rental fees but it still definitely works out cheaper with this package rather than renting everything you need separately. Moreover, for beginners who have no idea what to prepare and bring, this package is convenient because everything necessary for camping is prepared there for you.

ACCESS

CAMP AKAIKE
550 Shoji, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi-ken 401-0336
TEL: 0555-87-2885（9：00～17：00）or 080-1007-4363
FAX: 0555-87-2066
Email: fuji-ten@fujikanko.co.jp

You can catch a local bus from Kawaguchiko Station. Get off a bus at the bus stop called “Akaike” then you’ll find CAMP AKAIKE just nearby.

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