Japan - Mount Fuji and Beyond
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.
You must bring the following items:
Hiking boots*
Gaiters
Sandals or comfortable shoes
Socks
Technical walking socks (2 or 3 pairs)
Spare laces
Trekking trousers / pants (not cotton)
Waterproof overtrousers / rainpants
Underwear (including 1 pair of’ long johns’ thermal underwear)
Shorts
Thermal baselayer shirts
Trek-shirts (not cotton)
Fleece jacket or warm jumper/sweater
Thermal gloves or mittens
Daypack c30 litres.
Headtorch / headlamp with spare batteries
Basic First Aid Kit - You should bring your own personal first aid kit consisting of the following: throat lozenges, painkillers (anti-inflammatory), antiseptic cream/spray, plasters (band-aids) and blister treatment, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets are a good idea.
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 Litre x2
Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry)
Sheet sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner
Washbag and toiletries
Antibacterial handwash
Eyewear – Sunglasses
Earplugs (especially if you are not the one snoring)
Neck warmer
Warm hat
Sunhat
Waterproof jacket
Small towel
Plastic bag (you must carry your own rubbish down from Mt Fuji)
Down waistcoat
The following items are optional:
Wet-wipes
Swimwear
Travel clothes
Trekking poles (recommended)
Insect repellant – (DEET)
Camera, film, batteries
Penknife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
Small padlock (to lock trek bag)
Notes:
When packing please bear in mind that it will be hot and humid in the towns and even nights will be very warm. However, there is also a possibility of typhoons, which can bring short-term heavy rain falls and high winds. In the mountains, the days will be very warm and you will need protection from the sun, but at night, the temperatures will drop dramatically, In particular, we can expect sub-zero temperatures and wind-chill on the summit of Mt. Fuji.
Luggage: Backpack or pack on wheels – (Please keep this as small and lightweight as possible as we will have to do a fair bit of carrying on and off public transportation). If your luggage has a rigid frame, the height should not exceed 82 cm or it will not fit into the lockers.
* You will need good boots with ankle support for Mt. Fuji and the Japan Alps hiking You should also bring sandals or comfortable shoes for sightseeing. These should be easy to take on and off, as shoes are not worn inside most buildings in Japan.
Equipment required for Sawanobori (Ghyll-Scrambling)
Helmet – (this is provided – we will need to know your size)
Wetsuit - (provided – we need to know your height and weight)
Footwear - (provided – we need to know your size)
Swimwear (to wear under the wetsuit)
Swimming goggles (with clear lenses)
Small towel
Old shorts to wear on top of the wetsuit (mandatory)
T-shirt (to wear under the wetsuit)
Waterproof camera – can be purchased in Japan
Equipment required for Aikido
You will need to wear a loose-fitting short-sleeved T-shirt (not a low-cut one) and shorts (not too short!) or sweat pants. Aikido is a good workout and you will get very hot and sweaty.
Note that there will be coin operated laundry machines available at our hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto
