Mount Fuji to Mount Yotei - Honshu and Hokkaido
Japan is a country renowned for its beautiful mountains, especially its mesmerizing volcanoes. Born of inexorable geologic forces along the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” volcanic peaks such as Mount Fuji, Mount Kita, and Mount Yōtei attract visitors from throughout the world to gaze upon their soaring flanks. The beauty and lore of these mountains are tightly woven into the fabric of Japan, reflected in religion, art, and culture. Travel to and ascent of these peaks is one of the most revered activities in the nation. “Hyakumeizan,” the “one hundred famous mountains,” is a list originally compiled by Japanese mountaineer and author Kyūya Fukada in the 1960s that serves as a guide for many to explore the most coveted of these peaks.
</br>This bush trip celebrates the majesty of Japan’s most eminent peaks and their surroundings. The journey begins by taking to the sky from Ōshima Island at dawn. Flying to the northwest as the sun breaks the horizon, brilliant light of golden hour washes along the eastern slopes of Mount Fuji. Fuji is the highest mountain in the country at 12,389 feet above sea level and its form is the most symbolic icon of Japan. The journey then continues farther inland, traversing several mountain ranges, multiple peaks of which are part of Hyakumeizan.
</br>This bush trip explores vistas on two of Japan’s major islands, Honshu and Hokkaido, and passes along coastlines of both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. On the flight in the Cessna Grand Caravan, you’ll pass by dozens captivating mountains, lakes, rivers, cities, and towns. This is a journey never to be forgotten.
Total Legs: 6 Total Distance: 693 Total Time(125kts): 5 hours 32 minutes
Leg 1
Flying from RJTO
Leg Distance: 117.01 Approximate time at 125kts: 56 minutes.
RJTO(RJTO) to POI1(POI1)
Distance: 18.33NM Bearing: 293° 9 minutes
After lifting off from Ōshima Airport, set a course to the west-northwest, 293° magnetic, and fly over Sagami Bay, climbing to an altitude of 8,000 feet. Gain a visual on Mount Amagi (also called Amagi Volcano), which stands 4,613 feet above sea level. Mount Amagi is the highest point in the Amagi Mountain Range (“Amagi Renzan”) and the highest point on the Izu Peninsula, which forms the eastern boundary of Suruga Bay. Mount Fuji is located to the right of Mount Amagi as you approach it from Sagami Bay.
POI1(POI1) to POI2(POI2)
Distance: 16.01NM Bearing: 342° 8 minutes
Once over Mount Amagi, turn to the northwest and sight the northern extent of Suruga Bay below Mount Fuji. Fly over the city of Numazu, located just inland of the northern extent of the bay, maintaining a course toward Mount Fuji. Numazu is known for its port on Suruga Bay and exceptional views of Mount Fuji.
POI2(POI2) to POI3(POI3)
Distance: 7.95NM Bearing: 349° 4 minutes
As you continue to fly toward Mount Fuji, pass over Mount Ashitaka, located between Numazu and Mount Fuji. Mount Ashitaka, which comprises several sub peaks, is surrounded by a tapestry of agricultural fields and lush forest. It may be difficult to visually identify until a few miles from its flanks.
POI3(POI3) to POI4(POI4)
Distance: 9.07NM Bearing: 344° 4 minutes
The highest mountain in Japan at 12,389 feet above sea level, Mount Fuji is widely considered the most representative icon of the country. Its form has served as inspiration for literature, arts, culture, and religious practices. A dormant stratovolcano, it has a symmetric conical shape, and snow covers its upper reaches much of the year. The most famous of the Hyakumeizan, Mount Fuji attracts visitors from around the world. Pass by the western flank of the mountain, maintaining an altitude of 8,000 feet, for a spectacular view of its form.
POI4(POI4) to POI5(POI5)
Distance: 9.17NM Bearing: 319° 4 minutes
As you pass by the western flank of Mount Fuji, sight Mount Kenashi. Lake Motosu lies at the base of the ridge that extends to the north of Mount Kenashi. Lake Motosu is the westernmost of the Fuji Five Lakes, natural bodies of water formed by regional volcanic activity. The region is famous for its spectacular views of Mount Fuji.
POI5(POI5) to POI6(POI6)
Distance: 20.62NM Bearing: 310° 10 minutes
Once over Lake Motosu, adjust heading to 310° magnetic and sight a pair of high mountains in the distance, Mount Aino to the south and Mount Kita to the north, both of which rise above tree line. Steadily climb to 12,000 feet above sea level and maintain a visual course toward Mount Aino. Pass over the Fuji River at the southern edge of Yamanashi Prefecture and then fly over a ridge of forested peaks. Pass over Mount Aino, the third highest peak in Japan at 10,466 feet above sea level (it is tied for third with Mount Hotaka (Mount Okuhotaka) in altitude). Mount Aino is part of the Akaishi Mountains (sometimes called the “Southern Alps”), a region protected within Minami Alps National Park.
POI6(POI6) to POI7(POI7)
Distance: 25.28NM Bearing: 353° 12 minutes
Once over the summit of Mount Aino, turn onto a heading of 352° magnetic and pass to the west of Mount Kita. At 10,476 feet above sea level, Mount Kita is the second highest mountain in Japan. Maintain heading, tracking parallel ridgelines until you sight Lake Suwa in the distance. Fly toward Lake Suwa and descend to 10,000 feet above sea level, passing from the Akaishi Mountains into the Kiso Mountains (also called the “Central Alps”). Lake Suwa is known for a natural phenomenon that occurs during the winter where large ice pressure ridges form on its surface.
POI7(POI7) to RJAF(RJAF)
Distance: 10.58NM Bearing: 319° 5 minutes
Once over Lake Suwa, adjust heading slightly to the west, descend in altitude, and land on Runway 36 at Matsumoto Airport (2,157 feet above sea level). The airport serves the greater Matsumoto Basin, located in the heart of the Japanese Alps region.
Leg 2
Flying from RJAF
Leg Distance: 143.13 Approximate time at 125kts: 69 minutes.
RJAF(RJAF) to POI8(POI8)
Distance: 15.21NM Bearing: 307° 7 minutes
Lift off from Matsumoto Airport and turn onto a 307° magnetic heading. Gain a visual on Mount Hotaka, the highest peak in the distance, and climb to 12,000 feet above sea level. Mount Hotaka, also called Mount Hotakadake, is tied with Mount Aino as the third highest mountain in Japan at 10,466 feet above sea level. The mountain is part of the Hida Mountains, or Northern Japanese Alps, and lies within Chūbu-Sangaku National Park. Carefully balance speed with rate of ascent during this leg.
POI8(POI8) to POI9(POI9)
Distance: 17.18NM Bearing: 4° 8 minutes
Once over Mount Hotaka, turn onto a 4° magnetic heading and gain a visual on a long, narrow, north-south lake (an unnamed reservoir impounded by the Takase Dam). Follow the ridgeline directly west of the lake and sight Mount Tate. The prominent peak lies due west of the northern end of Lake Kurobe, a narrow, winding reservoir. One of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains” (the others being Mount Fuji and Mount Haku), Mount Tate is also called Mount Tateyama. The peak is part of the Hida Mountains and stands 9,892 feet above sea level.
POI9(POI9) to POI10(POI10)
Distance: 12.9NM Bearing: 40° 6 minutes
Once over Mount Tate, turn onto a 39° magnetic heading and gain a visual on Mount Shirouma, a prominent peak in the distance. The mountain is located in the Hida Mountains and stands at 9,619 feet above sea level. As you approach Mount Shirouma, you should be able to resolve the Sea of Japan in the northwestern distance.
POI10(POI10) to POI11(POI11)
Distance: 16.58NM Bearing: 63° 8 minutes
Turn onto a 62° magnetic heading over Mount Shirouma and sight Niigata-Yake-Yama, an active volcano that stands 7,900 feet above sea level. The peak has a conical form that rises above the surrounding terrain. For a visual reference, Niigata-Yake-Yama lies northwest of Otomi Lake, which has a distinctive V-shape.
POI11(POI11) to POI12(POI12)
Distance: 18.75NM Bearing: 42° 9 minutes
Once over Niigata-Yake-Yama, adjust heading slightly to the north and fly toward the coastal city of Jōetsu as you descend to 7,500 feet. The city is located where the Ara River meets the Sea of Japan and is known for its textile industry.
POI12(POI12) to POI13(POI13)
Distance: 19.38NM Bearing: 62° 9 minutes
Once over Jōetsu, continue following the coastline as you descend to an altitude of 5,000 feet. Pass by Mount Yoneyama, a sacred local landmark that rises directly off the sea. Continue to the city of Kashiwazaki, home of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the most powerful nuclear generating facility in the world by output, at 8.212 gigawatts.
POI13(POI13) to RJSN(RJSN)
Distance: 43.13NM Bearing: 45° 21 minutes
From Kashiwazaki, continue following the Sea of Japan coastline to the northeast to the city of Niigata. Niigata is the capital and most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, and it is the largest city in the country along the Sea of Japan. The area inland of Niigata is called the Echigo Plane, which is known as one of Japan’s most important rice growing regions. Descend and land at Runway 10 at Niigata Airport, located directly on the coastline.
Leg 3
Flying from RJSN
Leg Distance: 94.88 Approximate time at 125kts: 46 minutes.
RJSN(RJSN) to POI14(POI14)
Distance: 27.01NM Bearing: 115° 13 minutes
Once back in the air at Niigata Airport, turn onto a 114° magnetic heading and steadily climb to 9,000 feet above sea level. Fly towards the highest peak in the distance, Mount Dainichi. Located in the Iide Mountain Range, Mount Dainichi, 6,982 feet above sea level, is the highest mountain within Bandai-Asahi National Park.
POI14(POI14) to POI15(POI15)
Distance: 7.04NM Bearing: 348° 3 minutes
Once over Mount Dainichi, turn onto a 348° magnetic heading and fly along a ridge of peaks to Mount Eburisashidake, 5,367 feet above sea level. Mount Eburisashidake is the highest point at the northwest end of the ridge.
POI15(POI15) to POI16(POI16)
Distance: 15.19NM Bearing: 37° 7 minutes
Once over Mount Eburisashidake, turn onto a 37° magnetic heading, maintain an altitude of 9,000 feet, and gain a visual on the Arakawa River and its surrounding valley. The river is flanked by agriculture fields and makes a distinct S-turn along its pathway north of the town of Oguni. Pass by Oguni, a town supported by agriculture and forestry, and then follow the general trend of the Arakawa River to the S-turn. The Arakawa River is one of Tokyo’s primary sources of drinking water.
POI16(POI16) to POI17(POI17)
Distance: 26.15NM Bearing: 38° 13 minutes
Once over the S-turn in the Arakawa River, maintain heading and sight two distinct triangular peaks in the distance, Mount Gassan on the right and Mount Chōkai on the left. Fly toward Mount Gassan, passing over the Miomote River, known for its salmon, and pass by Asahi Lake, visible to the left. This area is part of the Asahi Mountains and Bandai-Asahi National Park. Pass to the left of Tsukiyama Lake, a reservoir formed by Sagae Dam on the Sagae River. Fly over the summit of Mount Gassan, an extinct stratovolcano that stands 6,509 feet above sea level. The peak is the highest of the Dewa Sanzan, the “Three Mountains of Dewa,” holy to the Japanese Shinto religion.
POI17(POI17) to RJSY(RJSY)
Distance: 19.49NM Bearing: 334° 9 minutes
Once over Mount Gassan, turn to the northwest and the Sea of Japan. Descend in altitude and fly over the Shonai plain toward the coastal town of Shonai. The Shonai plain is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the country, with most of the fields used to grow rice. Shonai Airport is located on the coast in the town of Sakata, to the southwest of Shonai. Approach Shonai airport by flying to the south of Sakata over the north end of the low coastal hills just south of the airport. Fly over the Sea of Japan and then turn back toward the coastline to land on Runway 09.