The MSR Advance Pro 2 is a single-wall, 4-season ultralight bivy-style tent designed primarily for fast and light alpine mountaineering. I had been eyeing up this tent for a while as I liked the idea of a small, lightweight, simple to setup and strong 4-season tent, but had been put-off by warnings of severe condensation … More Gear Review – MSR Advance Pro 2 tent (2020 model)
I wrote a short introduction to the Japan Alps for anyone who may be thinking of heading there for hiking/trekking/sightseeing later this year. Click here for the full article. For much more detailed information, be sure to check out my newly published guidebook ‘Hiking and Trekking in the Japan Alps and Mt. Fuji‘, currently on … More Cicerone – An Intro to the Japan Alps
As the hot and humid Japanese summer becomes something of a distant memory (or half-remembered sweaty nightmare), the cool, crisp air and shorter days signal the start of “koyo” season, the changing color of the leaves in autumn. While spring cherry blossom season (“hanami”) is a short, vibrant celebration of spring beauty and anticipation of … More Autumn leaf-viewing spots in Japan
* Special update for 2024: Climbers using the popular Yoshida Route should be aware that new rules and a 2000 yen climbing fee are in place from this year – see my article for JNTO for more details! ** For full information on climbing Mt. Fuji check out my guidebook ‘Hiking and Trekking in the … More All you need to know to climb Mt. Fuji (2024 update)
One of Japan’s lesser known hot spring resort towns, Yunotsu Onsen has a somewhat old-fashioned feel but that’s part of its appeal. Shimane is the second least populated prefecture in Japan, so it’s a great place to go to get away from it all. Check out my short piece for NAVITIME travel https://travel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/guide/NTJtrv0749-en/
I wrote a short feature for The Japan Times on hiking in the North Japan Alps recently; the article covers my three day hike from Kamikochi to Mt. Yari, across the notorious Daikiretto, before finally ascending the third highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Oku-Hotaka. I had a great weather window in late October last year, … More The Japan Times – Hiking the precipitous spine of central Honshu
From the flat summit of the Kirigamine Highland, Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance Rising to an impressive 3776m in height, Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan and an instantly recognisable icon. Thousands of people climb to the summit during the short main climbing season, which runs from early July to the end … More Top 10 best places to view Mt. Fuji
Shiga prefecture may be most well-known for being the home of Biwako, the largest lake in Japan, but come the winter time its impressive peaks always get a big covering of the white stuff, and so snow lovers from Osaka and Kyoto needn’t travel far to get their winter fix. Check out this article I did for Kansai Scene … More Shiga’s White Winter Vistas
Tom Fay 