Mt. Minobu to Mt. Shichimen Pilgrimage

 Took an $80 flight to Vancouver and had the best time visiting my friend Sophia!! Lots of laughs, beautiful hikes, and good food!

Then hopped back over to Japan (apparently when I said I wanted to go back I meant within the year) bc if ur already at an airport with budget flights to Japan you’re actually saving more money than if you hadn’t gone at all…right?


I went back for several reasons but one was to experience less touristy parts of Japan that I did not get to experience the first time around - plus I wanted to take advantage of being fully remote for work and school this semester!


I worked on my paper for my master’s most of the 10 hr flight to Tokyo, then took the bus from Narita to Tokyo station and hopped on a couple of long (but cheap) trains to Fuji (the city by the ocean, not up next to the mountain)


It was a lot colder than Vancouver and the desert has turned me into a baby so it was quite a shock, but I walked awhile to a few outdoors stores that were still open to buy microspikes (Canada does not let u take them in carry ons)


Grabbed some food and went to my hotel to finally sleep. The place was very…interesting, but had the kindest hosts


  • Left early from Fuji City for Mt Minobu - was exhausted and had confusing situation with the trains bc I went thru the gates with Suica card but had to pay for separate ticket on specialty train
  • Walked up a bunch of steps to the temple complex at the base of Mt. Minobu, then hiked a few hours up to another temple complex at the summit of Mt. Minobu (great views of Fuji)
  • Hiked down to Akasawa village but the historic ryokan I wanted to stay at was closed for the winter (does not have info online so could not know this ahead of time), so realized I had to book it up to the temple on Mt. Shichimen a day early
  • Hiked down and crossed the river on a beautiful bridge, then ascended 4,000 feet in 2 hours (roughhhh) and last 1,000 feet was pure ice
  • Arrived at temple and the language barrier was significant but the monks were incredibly kind and welcoming
  • They me a place to warm up bc I was very cold and I settled into my tatami style bedroom and took a hot bath
  • Bundled up, had dinner in my room, then attended the beautiful welcome ceremony and regular worship ceremony in the evening
  • The temple was gorgeous and I enjoyed listening to the singing/chants
  • I was the only visitor and got to participate in the incense-giving part of the ceremony
  • Went to bed and was woken up at 5:30 with a drum beat and was given tea
  • Attended part of the morning ceremony and then left to watch the sunrise over Mount Fuji (was SO freaking cold but beautiful)
  • Ate breakfast and warmed up
  • Was feeling exhausted after my 20 mi day the day before and lack of sleep for the last few days so I just took a rest day and did a bit of work
  • Ate dinner (all served on special monk diet) and attended the evening ceremonies
  • Attended the morning ceremony, watched the sunrise, ate breakfast, and headed off down the mountain the next morning
  • All of the monks came outside to wave and bow while I hiked away until I was completely out of sight 🥹
  • Waited at the bus stop in Hayakawa and took the 10:30 bus back to Minobu station


This is one of those experiences that words can’t really capture. The kindness of the monks and the invitation to experience one’s culture and religion was incredible and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. This memory will always be one of my favorite travel experiences!


Info for this experience: closetomtfuji.com (please note that this is an incredibly authentic and non-touristy experience so if you do this pilgrimage while in Japan, please treat the locals and the land with the utmost respect)
















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