Green to green. Red to red. Secure your pulley and karabiner onto the overhead cable. Hold onto the blue cord and hang on for your life! Maybe I’m being overly dramatic, but these are the steps I continuously played in my head before I tackled each obstacle. Follow that up with a loud scream and eyes sealed shut, suddenly you arrive at the other end of the 14-meter high platform with a birdseye view of Mt Fuji. Literally. With a huge grin on your face and a release of a few good giggles, you instantly crave for more. If I can do this, you can do this, too! Trepidation, achievement, laughter and excitement: welcome to Forest Adventure at Mt Fuji in Yamanashi prefecture.
First, take a deep breath to live in the moment. Inhale. Then exhale. The fresh, crisp air and the surrounding Japanese red pines will immediately bring you to a Zen state of mind. The setting is truly serene and a nice getaway from the concrete jungle. An excursion to Forest Adventure at Mt Fuji is probably the next best thing to climbing the 3,776-meter high mountain, especially if you get to visit with family or a group of friends. There are actually thirteen Forest Adventure locations in Japan; Mt Fuji location being the first built and modeled after “fôret de l'aventure” established in Talloires, France. Hands down, no matter what location you end up going to, it’s a great team building, thrill-seeking activity for all.
Adventure Course deets. This course is a “self belay system” in which participants must manipulate the equipment on their own. The fees are 3,500 yen (Adults) or 2,500 yen (ages 10-17). Upon arrival, you must sign a Risk Acknowledgement and Disclaimer stating you agree to not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, will follow all safety instructions, and Forest Adventure will not be held responsible for incidents happening during the activity if their rules are not respected. After payment is completed, you will be assigned to a staff member for harnessing, safety instruction, and obstacle tutorial. Be sure to pay close attention!
The Adventure Course includes five courses that vary in degree of difficulty and height, and will take approximately three hours or less to complete. One course can include as many as eight obstacles before you get to the goal (or finish point). A description of each course is placed at the starting point depicting stick man figures in action and obstacle names such as Apple Picker’s Ladder, Tarzan Swing, and Zip Slide. When you’re on the obstacle, you can always refer to the stick man pictures for complete instruction on how to get from Point A to B. It’s really that easy, even for a beginner like me. However, if you’re unsure of following directions to a T, wait until a friend arrives onto the same platform so they can reassure it is safe for take off; the maximum number of persons per obstacle is three. Also, you don’t have to complete all courses. But, I strongly suggest you participate in the “Adventure 2” course, which takes you to the highest platform offering a breathtaking view of Mt Fuji you will never forget. If you can manage to safely carry a camera during your challenge, this is the spot you'll want to capture.
Other deets you’ll want to keep in mind. Wear comfortable clothing. The harness that straddles you will be snug, so for all the men out there, dress accordingly. Be prepared to get dirty. Leaves and wood chips will stick to your back or make their way into your underwear after you zip slide down into the mulch. Wear sturdy shoes to provide support when moving up the ladder, along the rope web, or up the rock wall and to protect you from the unevenness of the hiking trail. Most of all, stay hydrated and have a blast! Register online today!
