Mt. Shichimen

Mount Shichimen rises 1,989 meters in Yamanashi's Southern Alps and has drawn Nichiren Buddhist pilgrims since the 13th century. The standard route climbs roughly 1,500 meters through dense forest, with most pilgrims spending a night at the Keishin-in temple lodge near the summit before catching the sunrise over Mt. Fuji, a view considered sacred for over 700 years. Each year on the last Sunday of November, monks attempt the full 36-kilometer round trip in a single day. For hikers without religious motivation, the ancient forests and alpine scenery are reward enough, with far fewer crowds than more famous Yamanashi peaks.