Adventurous families with a bit of stamina should consider a weekend tackling one of the world's most iconic peaks, the cone-shaped Mt. Fuji in Japan.

For the adventurous family looking for exhilaration and a summertime-only adventure, plan a hike up Japan's famous Mt. Fuji. For 2009, Japan's highest mountain is open to hikers from July 1 through August 26.

The trail to the summit is divided into 10 levels with cars and buses being allowed to come up to the fifth  level. From there, there are four routes for climbing up Mt. Fuji. While the mountain is very high at 12,388 feet (3776 meters) and steep, it is still easy to climb for beginners and younger children.

Joining a Guided Tour

English guided tours are available for travelers visiting from Tokyo. Japanican.com has a tour that guides travelers so they can climb the mountain in two days. (Their morning climb is pictured above.) You will arrive by bus on your own from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji's fifth station.

On your first night you will get to stay at one of the most popular huts at the eighth station, Toyokan Hut. From here, you'll start climbing in the dark and reach the summit just in time to watch the sunrise. Families will have to provide for their own meals, but Japanican will give you one dinner and one boxed breakfast. You will be accompanied by one Japanese tour coordinator, one licensed English-speaking guide all the way, and one professional mountain guide. Prices for this tour in 2009 start at 28,800 JPY per person, which is close to $300 USD. Japanican has many other guided tours besides this one, but this is the only one if you want to actually climb to the summit of Mt. Fuji. 

The D-I-Y Climb of Mt. Fuji

Of course you can also climb Mt. Fuji without a guided tour and go at the pace that you and your family feel comfortable. Make sure to keep in mind all the necessary precautions when hiking. Remember that the air will get colder once you ascend to higher altitudes, so be prepared for harsh weather. Be sure to read the comprehensive Guide for Climbing Mt. Fuji pubished by the Japan Tourist Office.  

If your family is going to climb Mt. Fuji on your own, you will want to book a local hotel.  Alternatively, if you just want to stay close to the mountain while you're in Japan, stay at a hotel in the Fuji Five Lakes region.

At Mountfujihotels.jp, there is a directory of all the hotels located in the Mt. Fuji region. The site lists many different hotels in a variety of price ranges to accommodate your family's needs, like hotels that have rooms with a view of Mt. Fuji, or hotels that have an English speaking staff.

A Fun Excursion

When you're done climbing Mt. Fuji, rest at one of the local onsen, a public bathhouse with spring-fed thermal pools where visitors can soothe aching muscles and get a taste of true Japanese culture.  

Your kids might prefer Fuji-Q theme park, an amusement park in the area that has Fujiyama, the world's highest roller coaster (this "fact" is hotly disputed.) Admission to the park in 2009 cost $6 for kids, and $12 for adults, and there is a price for each ride. To learn more about Fuji-Q theme park and its complex, including a hotel, visit the Fuji-Q themepark website.