Tom Fay and Wes Lang have come out with a new title, Hiking and Trekking in the Japan Alps and Mount Fuji. Fay writes mainly about travel and the outdoors for a variety of publications and media outlets, and is the author of a popular guidebook called Must-See Japan, while Lang is the founder of Hiking in Japan, a website providing comprehensive hiking information for the Hyakumeizan and beyond.
This pocket-sized, clear and detailed guide describes nine day-walks and thirteen treks of two to eight days covering the North, Central and South Alps, as well as the four main routes up Mount Fuji and a further route on neighbouring Mount Kurodake. The routes visit many of the region’s key summits. They are graded according to difficulty, although several entail steep ascents and difficult terrain and a few include scrambling and exposure, calling for a sure foot and a good head for heights. Comprehensive step-by-step route descriptions are accompanied by clear mapping.
The Japan Alps and Mount Fuji boast a well-developed walking infrastructure, and the routes make use of the many mountain huts and campgrounds, full details of which are given in the guide. Some also include the opportunity to visit a traditional hot-spring bath for a refreshing soak after your hike. You will find all the information you will need to plan a successful walking or trekking holiday, with a wealth of advice on travel, bases, accommodation and facilities. There are additional notes on plants and wildlife, the history of hiking in Japan and safety in the mountains, as well as full mountain-hut listings and a helpful glossary. Inspirational colour photography completes the package, offering a taste of the breathtaking mountain vistas to whet your appetite.
UK publisher, Cicerone, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year after bringing to life nearly 400 award-winning guidebooks for walking, trekking, cycling, mountaineering and trail running around the world.
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