Mount Fuji Marathon: Experience Japan’s Natural Beauty dan Spirituality

Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s most popular mountains. Standing at 12,388 ft or 3,776 m, it is the tallest mountain and a sacred symbol to the Japanese people. This November, Mount Fuji will once again serve as the backdrop for one of Japan’s annual marathon events, the Mount Fuji Marathon. Want to know more about this event? Let’s find out the details in this article!

About Mt. Fuji Marathon 2024
The Mount Fuji Marathon (Mt. Fuji Marathon) was first held in 2012, during the autumn season. The scenery around the event venue will be that of golden leaves ready to fall in the gentle breeze of autumn.
According to its official website, this year’s Mt. Fuji Marathon will feature three main courses: Full Marathon, Around Kawaguchiko, and Charity Fun Run. For the Full Marathon, participants must complete the 42.195 km course in under six hours. That is why this course is only open to participants aged 18 and above.
For the Around Kawaguchiko course, participants only need to complete a 17 km track in under three hours. This course is open to people aged 16 and above. Lastly, in the Charity Fun Run, participants ‘only’ need to complete the 10.5 km course, without any time limit. This course is open to anyone aged 12 and older. 

Mt. Fuji Marathon 2024 Routes
Both the Full Marathon and Around Kawaguchiko courses at the Mt. Fuji Marathon start and end at the same place, Funatsuhama Parking, near Kawaguchiko Station. 
The Full Marathon route takes runners around two major lakes at the foot of Mount Fuji: Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Saiko. While the beautiful lake scenery and the cool mountain breeze are the highlights of the Mt. Fuji Marathon, another unique feature of this sports event is the varying elevation, with uphill and downhill tracks for running. 
After passing Lake Kawaguchiko, Full Marathon participants will encounter an uphill stretch leading to Lake Saiko, followed by a steep downhill path after the lake. They must also pass through six checkpoints: Kawaguchiko Ohashi Bridge, Terazaki Fisheries Cooperative Parking Lot, Saiko Gyominso, Saiko Community Center, Ashiwada Branch Office, and Katsuyama Roadside Station, before reaching the finish line.
Meanwhile, the Around Kawaguchiko route takes runners around Lake Kawaguchiko at an elevation of 800 masl. To reach the finish line, they must pass through three checkpoints: Kawaguchiko Ohashi Bridge, Terazaki Fisheries Cooperative Parking Lot, and Katsuyama Roadside Station.
For the Charity Fun Run course, participants start and end their run at Oike Park, located on the side of Lake Kawaguchiko. Unlike the two other courses, runners on this course pass through the city center instead of circling Lake Kawaguchiko. Charity Fun Run participants are not required to stop at any specific checkpoints to complete the marathon.
If you are vacationing in Japan during the Mount Fuji Marathon, you can watch the race up close! Popular viewing spots for spectators or supporters of the runners include the Mount Fuji Viewpoint, Katsuyama Roadside Station, Kawaguchiko Bridge, Kawaguchiko Museum of Art, and Yagizaki Park.
That was the detailed information about the Mount Fuji Marathon. Hopefully, it inspires your itinerary for your trip to Japan! But, before you go on your travel, make sure to purchase International Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia. This way, you can make your trip safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable.