FUJI-YAMA Guides

New Blog Site

2010-05-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

We have just moved to the new blog site.

Thank you!

http://fujiyamaguides.jimdo.com/

Yuske

2010 Season

2010-04-02T02:42:00.000-07:00

We would like to let you know that now We start to accept booking for

2010 season Fuji climbing tour.

We are looking forward to seeing you in this summer!

Shoji

2010-03-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

Now I am in Canada and working as a snowboard guide until end of March.

It has been very few snowing through Feb but finally we got major storm in March!

4days trip based in wheeler hut of rogers pass, BC

Super fun days.

Yuske Hirota

FUJI-YAMA GUIDES

2010-01-24T23:56:00.000-08:00

Avalanche operation level1 in Hakuba.

This is the 10th year since JAN started the course under the relationship with CAA.

Yesterday we set up the weather station in the village.

Setting up he screens.

Inside of it. Self-registering thermometer and Max & Min temps.

All the storm boards. HST,HN24,H2D..

We went up to Goryu-Tohmi to just to check out, what was the condition like.

The team.

Nori, Mark , David from the left.

Mark Bender was the examiner when I took level 2.

Very happy to work with him but at the same time I had been under the pressure

of I was watching all the time when I was route-finding...

8Days boot camp!

Yuske Hirota

FUJI-YAMA GUIDES

Happy New Year

2010-01-04T19:06:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from Mt. FUJI!

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES
Professionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003
www.fujiyamaguides.com
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091027

2009-10-26T17:07:00.000-07:00

Fuji from my window.

Yuske / FYG

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES
Professionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003
www.fujiyamaguides.com
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091011

2009-10-10T16:40:00.000-07:00

After three days of strom, Fuji showed up with her winter face.

Yuske / FYG

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES
Professionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003
http://www.fujiyamaguides.com
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Shrine in the mountain.

2009-10-09T19:41:00.000-07:00

Ishiwari YAMA hiking trail just out side of FUJI-Yoshida city, beside Yamanakako lake.

Ishiwari Yama Shrine.

This boulder looks like ISHI [stone] the Kanji character.

From crack of the rock.

It is believed that Walking through the rock three times bring fortune and good luck.

　From the summit.

Fuji usually be there where red line is.

Really good short hiking.

Yuske / FYG

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES
Professionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003
http://www.fujiyamaguides.com
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091003

2009-10-06T19:18:00.001-07:00

Subashiri trail guiding on Oct 3rd-4th.

Subashiri trail is in Shizuoka side, 5th station is 300m lower than Yoshida trail.

Less hikers, more wilderness. We only guide this route in June and September.

We had clients from Yokohama, the YOKOHAMA PUB ALLIANCE!

Only three hours hiking on day 1st.

Stayed at Taiyou kan Hut. Cozy, friendly atmosphere.

The Full moon.

DAY2 Still bright with the light of the moon.

Sunrise at 9th station,

Hanging icicles on the summit crater.

Very windy, very cooooold!

Sand running way back.

A good autumn day.

Thank you all.

Yuske / FYG

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES
Professionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003
http://www.fujiyamaguides.com
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Guiding Mt.Fuji in September

2009-10-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

A day in September.

Jose is from Qatar.

He choose us since he could not find any other guiding tour in September. Thanks!

FYG usually guide until middle of Oct.

We left 5th station about 1530PM.

There was less traffic in the mountain because it was outside of the climbing season.

It was really warm, dry and calm day.

We hiked with very slow pace, without taking longs breaks.

With this way, everyone could have a good chance of reaching to the top.

On day 1st We hiked three hours and arrived at Kamaiwa-Kan in 7th station.

Wake-up 0030AM and started hiking again for the sunrise.

It was really warm night. Jose wore the long sleeve T-shirts and fleece.

Usually Mt. Fuji at night in September, it could be very cold so you will need very warm clothing.

The sunrise pushed our back.

Around 530AM.
We could see the sunrise with really beautiful light.

The torii gate at summit.

Jose came to Mt.Fuji at the very right time.
The before and next day, it was bad.
He was a quite lucky boy!

Shoji

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES
Professionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003
http://www.fujiyamaguides.com
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090919　From the town.

2009-09-20T01:34:00.001-07:00

Fuji from home.

Autumn is here.

Yuske / FYG

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES / FYG
Proffesionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003
http://www.fujiyamaguides.com
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090919

2009-09-20T01:02:00.000-07:00

Today was the one of the best day of September.

We had clients from New Mexico.

They brought Mexican weather! Super clear and dryl!

It was fine all day long, not so warm, not so cool, perfect temperature.

Ho-ei crater. The last eruption was happened there 200years ago.

Also coast line of Suruga and Miho no Matsubara in a distance.

Pretty rare see them from the summit usually in the thick clouds.

It was a nice day for sure.

Yuske

O-bon Holidays.

2009-08-13T14:45:00.000-07:00

Now we are in O-bon holidays in Japan.

O-bon is the event to honor the spirits of deceased which are believed to return between the 13th and 17th of August.

Bonfire was lit outside the entrance of my house to keep the spirits of ancestors and friends who died in the mountain from losing their way.

Talked about the memory of the friends who did not come back from the mountain with drinking alcohol-free beers. [ we keep it dry during the season!]

Cheers to them.

Yuske

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES
Proffesionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003
http://www.fujiyamaguides.com
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88 (Hachi Hachi)

2009-08-12T22:38:00.000-07:00

Check out the article about us in the latest "88" magazine.

Shoji

Summer.

2009-07-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

Today's Mt.Fuji.

Green ricefields are typical summer feature in Japan.

Last year we had lots of thunder storm but hope it will be dry and stable weather in this summer.

Yuske

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES

Profesionally guiding in Mt.Fuji since 2003

http://www.fujiyamaguides.com

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End of rainy season!

2009-07-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

Japan Meteorological Agency announced the end of the rainy season yesterday.

6days earlier than in previous years, 5days earlier than last year.

Fuji from the city.

Now we are very happy cause it has been very windy and wet since the season started.

Expecting beautiful sunrise tomorrow morning.

Yuske

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES

Profesionally guiding in Mt.Fuji since 2003

http://www.fujiyamaguides.com

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Pilgrim tour Day 2.

2009-07-01T23:07:00.000-07:00

　Second day of pilgrim tour.

Overcast, moderate wind from south.

5th staion just above the clouds.

A giant guy can touch Torii gate.

At this point 1m of snowpack underneath the gate.

It was icy on last 100m below the summit.

Definitely we needed crampons on.

Top of Yoshida guchi route!

We were the only climbers at the summit.

Orinet express to 8th staion.

Finally blue bird and sea of the clouds.

Back to 5ht station.

Again thanks for bringing in California weather, Martha and Mike!

Yuske

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES

Professionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003

http://www.fujiyamaguides.com

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Pilgrim tour Day 1.

2009-06-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

We had first clients who completed pilgrim tour from the 1st station.

Martha and Mike from California.

Infront of the Tozan Mon [Climbing gate] at Sengen Shrine in the city.

They brought nice California weather in rainy Japan.

We drove up to Umagaeshi [Horse turn around] and started hiking from here.

Quiet and peaceful hiking in the woods. Only three hours hiking in day 1st.

Yatsugatake in the distance.

Seikanso hut at 6th station. A cozy hut.

Mike the master of tea ceremony!

Such a great dinner. We did not expect this much. We called this 6 stars dinner.

[cause 6 dried star shaped Tohu in the miso soup]

Yoshida city. Sometime they have fireworks in the summer. Fun to watch them from the mountain.

A beautiful sunset. Wishing nice weather tomorrow.

Yuske

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES

Professionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003

http://www.fujiyamaguides.com

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090620

2009-06-24T23:49:00.001-07:00

Greg and Paul from New Mexico,

At the top of Dainichi dake one of the summit.

We made round trip in seven and half hours from 5th station.

Their home town is in about 3000m, altitude and thin air didn't affect them carzy...

Gracious amigos!

Tokyo Notice Board

2009-06-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

Check out the article about us in the latest Tokyo Notice Board.

You can get them in these distribution points.

http://www.tokyonoticeboard.co.jp/point.html

Yuske

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FUJI-YAMA GUIDES

Proffesionally guiding in Mt.FUJI since 2003

http://www.fujiyamaguides.com

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Guide Training 1

2009-06-17T16:58:00.001-07:00

We have another two weeks to be "The official climbing season" started.

We got up lower part of Fuji yesterday to check out trail condition and for training.

The original pilgrim trail starts Sengen Tisha Shrine in

Fuji-yoshida city.

In our tour usually go and see the shrine and then dirve up to "Umagaeshi" which means Horse turn around.

The trail gets steeper so ancient pilgrims got off horses here and started hiking.

We took iron horse this time.

From here [1450m] you start hiking.

Lots of historical things along the way and trails are well maintained.

Monkeys [Heralds of Mt.Fuji] welcome you!

Too bud there is no public buses to get to Umagaeshi.

I think there are more to see and way less hikers in lower part of Fuji than above 5th.

And only two and half hours hiking to 5th station from Umagaeshi.

Seikanso lodge at 6th station.

We stop hiking at 6th station this time.

Really nice hut sometime they have Jazz concert and live performance.

This lodge is located along the original hikig trail from Umagaeshi.

Watch out if you come from Kawaguciko 5th this one is not along your way.

http://www.seikanso.jp/english.html

Yuske

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Professionally guiding in Mt.Fuji since 2003.

FUJI-YAMA GUIDES

http://www.fujiyamaguides.com

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Mountain condition

2009-06-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

Climbed Mt.Fuji on June 10th.
It was overcast.

No snow lower than 7th station.

The view from 6th station.

Some snow at the 8th station. It will take little while to melt away.

Skiing down from 8th station.

Rainy season has just started.

Shoji

Last riding?

2009-05-25T19:30:00.001-07:00

Rider/ Uta Watanabe

We got up fuji for the shooting with pro-snowboarders.

The forecast predicted sunny and warm day, but it was actually overcast and windy!

The snow did not get melted and remained icy all day long.

We decided to go down from 7th station.

Icy, sketchy...

Rider / Uta Watanabe

Finally could have good turns at the very last.

Hope we could have few more time of riding before hiking season starts.

Yuske

2009-05-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

Some photos from the last trip.

Leendert and Johanne, both experienced hikers.

Torii gate at 9th station was completely covered with icicles and rime.

Crampons, Ice axe, harness and rope.

Getting ready for icy slope just below the summit.

Wanted to go through the gate but, too much snow yet..

Konnichiwa from Summit of Yoshida route.

Some skier's tracks into the crater.

O-Shiri-sliders.

We straight-lined into Yoshida-ohsawa Gully on the wayback.

We saw few small loose snow avy around noon, but we did not expect any big natural avalanches.

Snow stability was good so that we took this route back.

Otherwise needed to go back same ridge we took on the way which was not fun.

Really good day.

Yuske,

All the photo Shoji.

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Professionally Guiding in Mt. Fuji, since 2003

Climbing Mt. Fuji

http://www.fujiyamaguides.com

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The DAY.

2009-05-10T14:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Yesterday was the DAY.

We had first clients of the season from Holland with the one of the best spring condition ever.

Sunny, no wind, 10cm new snow on top of melt-freeze ice layer.

3 days rain in the town made Mt.Fuji completely reset.

We did it one day from 5th station. Which only experienced climbers can do under certain condition.

Wish I could have my snowboard but a.... Ya, it was fun enough!

Now we are guiding spring snow climbing with tarnceportation from the town.

You need to have crampons, ice axe and some experience with them.

It is still winter up at the summit but if you catch the right condition it is going to be really

nice climbing.

Yuske

Spring snow

2009-05-02T21:15:00.000-07:00

It has been sunny and warm in last couple days in town.

We went up for Subashiri-Guchi route for shredding!

You need to catch the right condition to ride it, or you will end up on 38 degree big ice skate rink...

this time snow condition was just perfect to get some carving turns.

If the air temp is slightly colder than that it was going to be a problem.

Also if it is warmer than that then wet slide might be possible.

Did't get to the summit but fun.

Nice spring day trip.

Yuske

Back home from Canada!

2009-04-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

Now we are back from Canada and getting ready for another hiking season.

The ski season in Canada was great. We did a couple big split-board traverse in the coast, selkirk and the rockies.

After I spent guiding for 4 month and played in the big mountains in Canada,

For me Mt. Fuji still looks great with its beauty of the shape.

As soon as I got back in town, went to the Shintoh shrine for prayinf gratitude of safe trip to Canada.

Back in one piece!

Fuji still got lots of snow and still have 2 month to go for hiking season,

After all the snow on the trail melt official hiking season will start.

This time of the year everytime I look up Fuji, thinking about skiing down it.

Riht now we are in Golden Week [spring holidays] in Japan.

Some backcountry skiers going up for skiing.

Pretty tough to get the right condition to ski it but when it's good it is really GOOD!

We are planning ski mountaineering guiding in Mt. Fuji next year.

Also we are guiding traditinal Yoshidaguchi route [complete hiking from the town] this season.

It has more to see and less hikiers.

Said FUJI-SAN. Hanging on the TORII of Sengentaisha Shito Shrine the entrance of Yoshidaguchi.

Yuske,

Climbing Mt.Fuji in September

2008-09-21T00:05:00.000-07:00

On September 14th, I went hiking with Japanese customers.

We saw beautiful sky and field of clouds all day that day.

I like to climb Mt.Fuji in September, because weather is pretty stable and climbing route is not so busy.

But there are some bad points about climbing in September.

Air temperature is quite low, so we need to wear warm JKT. And the mountain lodge, the Shinto shrine and the post office located at the summit are closed.

It was almost full moon that day. We had a coffee with beautiful sunset and full moon.

We started climbing at 0045 AM and got to summit at 0500 AM. Sunrise was about 0530.

We saw beautifull sunrise again!

Shoji

Traditional route

2008-09-03T20:01:00.000-07:00

This year we only guided Yoshidaguchi route from 5th station.
But ancient traditional route goes up from the city of Fujiyoshida via Sengen Shrine.

City of Fujiyoshida provide free water and snacks for the hikers only in the summer at Umagaeshi point.[Where horses used to go back because of steeper terrain]

We would love to guide the traditional route next season for sure.
Actually there are more to see below 5th station than above 5th station.

Yuske

Fujiyoshida City Fire Festival

2008-08-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

August 26-27th, there was Fire Festival in Fujiyoshida City.

Taiko (Japanese Traditional Drum) Session!

Start a fire.....

Fire covered whole street...

They gave a prayer to Mt.Fuji.

Fire was getting bigger and bigger....

It was interesting night...

You want to check this festival next summer!!

Shoji

Fire Festival Info

http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/div/english/html/firefest.html

http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/div/english/html/firefest2.html

Fujiyoshida City Official Web Site

http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/div/english/html/index.html

HAIL!

2008-08-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

Looks like winter...

It was hailing on 21st Aug.

But we could see beatiful sunrise!!

SHOJI

After the storm.

2008-08-19T02:30:00.001-07:00

Early August

2008-08-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

It's too hot at Mt.Fuji .....

We love "KOKEMOMO" ice cream!!!

I strongly recommend to try it when you come Mt.Fuji.

It is really yummy!

Shoji

2 suns.

2008-07-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

The thunder storm yesterday cleaned the air up and we could see even as far as Tokyo from the mountain.

Yamanakako-lake reflected the Gorikoh.
Beautiful cold morning.

Yuske

End of rainy season

2008-07-20T02:06:00.000-07:00

On July 19th the Meteorological Agency declared that rainy season ended in Japan.

Flowers started bloom.

Shoji

Dry season?

2008-07-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

Although we are in the rainy season in Japan,
It's been pretty dry in last 2 weeks.

The descending route is getting dryer and dustyer.
Don't forget to bring a mask with you.

Yuske

Today's sunrise.

2008-07-05T12:57:00.001-07:00

Another cold calm morning at the top of Yoshidaguchi route.

Yuske

Today's sunrise

2008-07-04T12:34:00.001-07:00

shoji

sunset

2008-07-04T03:07:00.001-07:00

It was a beautiful day!

shoji

still good weather

2008-07-04T01:05:00.000-07:00

shoji

today's mt.fuji

2008-07-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful day!

shoji

Summer trail has opened!

2008-07-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

Finally summer trail has opened!

The huts at the top and descending way were still closed and it was so chilly[there were some icecles above 8th station] during summit ascent.

We have not seen Gorikoh[sunrise] on the opening day in last 4 years,

but this one was one of the most beautiful Gorikoh I've ever seen on the opening day.

It was great for early season.

Yuske

Opening ceremony

2008-06-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

Mt.Fuji is opened!!

There was opening ceremony at Fujiyoshida downtown.

In evening, there was ceremony at 5th station too.

Tomorrow will be good day!

Shoji

FUJI-YAMA Guides

New Blog Site

2010 Season

Happy New Year

091027

091011

Shrine in the mountain.

091003

Guiding Mt.Fuji in September

090919 From the town.

090919

O-bon Holidays.

88 (Hachi Hachi)

Summer.

End of rainy season!

Pilgrim tour Day 2.

Pilgrim tour Day 1.

090620

Tokyo Notice Board

Guide Training 1

Mountain condition

Last riding?

The DAY.

Spring snow

Back home from Canada!

Climbing Mt.Fuji in September

Traditional route

Fujiyoshida City Fire Festival

HAIL!

After the storm.

Early August

2 suns.

End of rainy season

Dry season?

Today's sunrise.

Today's sunrise

sunset

still good weather

today's mt.fuji

Summer trail has opened!

Opening ceremony

090919　From the town.