2-Day Private Guided Overnight Hike & Buddhist Temple Stay in Shichimenzan

Day 1: Hike up 800+ year old Pilgrimage route to Buddhist temple deep in the mountains

1. 10m
   Start our hike from a small temple at the base where we learn a bit about the history of Nichiren Buddhism and Shichimenzan as a pilgrimage site. This has been a training ground for Nichiren Buddhist Monks since the late 1,200's.
2. 10m
   Great waterfall at the base of the mountain that is used in winter for ascetic training and purification by the monks of Shichimenzan. There is also a statue of Oman-no-kata, the first woman to climb Shichimenzan in the 1,600's. We will hear her story before starting our climb.
3. 14h · Admission ticket included
   Keishinin is the temple that was built in the late 1,200's to the goddess of Shichimenzan, or the Shichimenzan Daimyojin. She is said to protect the teachings of the Lotus Sutra as well as its followers by changing into a powerful dragon.
   
   This temple also features one of the best views of Mt. Fuji and features a diamond Fuji sunrise on the fall and spring equinox. This is when the sun rises directly behind the summit of Mt. Fuji and the light passes over Fuji, through the temple gate, and into the main hall.
   
   This is the temple that we will spend the night in. The late afternoon will start with tea and then a chance to get a hot bath (communal gender separated). Then a simple Buddhist Vegetarian meal will be served before there are two services in the temple in the evening that everyone is able to join in on.

Day 2: Visit summit of mountain and then descend and head to Minobu-san temple

1. 20m
   Before breakfast we will head up to the gate of the temple to watch the sunrise with Mt. Fuji in the background. This is one of the best sunrise view points of a snow covered Mt. Fuji.
2. Mt. Shichimen
   10m
   After breakfast we will head up to the summit of Shichimenzan. There are some great Fuji view points along the way. Total time up is 45 minutes and about 30 minutes back down.
3. 45m
   After descending the mountain it is a short drive to Minobusan, the main temple for Nichiren Buddhism. There will be some time to climb the 287 stairs which signifies the passage through life's challenges. There are multiple halls that can be visited as well as a shop to purchase various Buddhist items and a café on site.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• If small children join, they may need to be carried on the hike so appropriate hiking carrier is needed.
• Waterproof hiking boots are required from December through April when there is the possibility of snow on the trail.
• Basic physical fitness is required, total elevation gain over two days is 900 meters with a total distance of 8km walked.