Trail Run Japan

 with

Trail Run Adventures

August 16-24, 2025

I'm really excited to pair up with Trail Run Adventures to return to one of my favorite places in the world. Some years ago, Anna Frost and I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a film produced by the Wandering Fever and Salomon Running about the culture of Japan and how it relates to running and us runners. Ever since then, we’ve been looking for a way to return and share the experience much more intimately with a few individuals.

Who is Trail Run Adventures? Anna Frost and her partner Ron Brazelton started this small company specializing in guiding people through some of the most beautiful and culturally rich places in the world. They have taken people to every corner of the globe including Bhutan, Greece and Madeira.

Why Japan? Japan is a long and highly volcanic archipelago. It is over two-thirds mountains, with bubbling hot springs at every turn. Japan boasts amazing trails through cedar groves and fields of wildflowers as well as peaks and ancient shrines. It is a place where ancient traditions and cultures are fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world. There is something for everyone from living culture, monks, green tea, temples, onsens, food, mountains and trails. The Japanese cuisine has great variations, hearty hotpots of the mountains, delicate sushi, seasonal and completely different to any taste experience before.

So, what’s the plan? On this adventure we’ll start off with a post-flight shakeout with a run through the streets of Tokyo. Then we will head to Hakuba for three days of hut to hut fastpacking in the Japanese Alps. The Japanese huts are diverse - some village-like, while others are small and intimate, featuring renowned onsens (hot springs). We will be immersed into the Japanese culture at the same time as moving quickly in the mountains. There is always more options for Japan trail running in the afternoon once we reach the hut. There will be onsens often throughout the trip to relax in and soak the sore muscles from the day.

We then head to Fujiyoshida City to run to the summit of Mt Fuji and back. Mt Fuji (3776 meters) is Japan's highest and most prominent mountain. Some runs will be slow moving, power hiking, steep, and technical so prepare accordingly. All runs will be measured in time rather than distance due to the vertical +/- and technical aspects of the trails

PRICE US$3795

• US$500 non refundable deposit required to secure place, deposit can be transferred to another adventure.

• Remaining balance due by May 1st 2025. Registrations after that date must be paid in full.

• 100% refund if trip is cancelled

EXCLUDES

• Flights (Please do NOT make travel arrangements until we notify you that the group size has met the minimum of six people)

• Personal travel and medical Insurance. We recommend: IMG - they have a portal set up for easy signup specifically for my trips.

• Alcohol and other drinks

• Additional snack foods, race food (gels, bars, electrolytes etc)

• Personal spending - souvenirs etc.

INCLUDES

• Airport transfers and all transportation while in Japan

• Accommodation

• Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner. All dietary requirements can be met

• Local guides (no tips required as we have paid them well already!)