Para-gliding in front of the Mount Fuji!! (May 2015)

Continuing from the previous episode where I was looking at the Fuji Shibazakura, I pre-booked my para-gliding flight in Fuji.

It's called Asagiri Kogen Para-glide school

It has a very good service because it includes lunch and also, you can ask them to pick you up from the Mount Fuji Station. Then they will take you all the way to this place. Or you can take the public bus and there is a bus stop close by, then you can just walk from the bus stop.

There is one bad news here though: The visibility of the Mount Fuji depends on the weather on that day. For my day, it was quite foggy. Therefore, I had to wait for the right timing. 

If you are unlucky, you might not get a clear view of the Mount Fuji while para-gliding.

I saw quite a few people practicing their solo para-glide because there are solo-para-glide courses where you will start from this 23m slope and learn to control the equipment and how to glide with the wind.







As I only wanted to experience how para-glide feels, I chose the Tandem paraglide course where a coach is behind you and over looks everything while you enjoy the paraglide.

My main point was to see the view, so of course I didn't go so far as to learn how to para-glide solo.

The photo on the left shows the procedure of the Tandem para-glide course.


The whole course wasn't expensive at all. It costed me 13000yen overall, including the video taking while you para-glide and all the free rides.

When it's your flight, they will take you to this place where you will be taking this train uphill to get to the para-glide platform.











Of course, the stuff will take care of everything. ^^

Got on the train and LET'S GO!!!

 I met two friends there! One is a local Japanese who learnt to solo-paraglide. So she did a solo glide after arriving at the platform. (She has this radio walkie-talkie thing where she received instructions as to which directions she should go). The other guy works in Japan and owns a white wine factory in the same Fuji area. Though he couldn't speak Japanese he still wanted to get a solo-paraglide license.

Getting higher and higher....

Though the train felt quite unstable and there was no seat belt, it was quite a good advantageous ride, like a roller-coaster! 

Arrived at the Platform!

~~This is where I will be running down from to glide~~

It was still quite foggy when I arrived at the Platform. Still having faith to see Mount Fuji though...

 Walking closer to the platform...

 The view isn't bad, but then my heart started to raise and bump quicker as I stepped closer to the edge.

You had to run down that very steep green field to start your flight and it was quite exciting to run on such a deep slope!!


Run faster though!!

It was quite chilling up the mountain, so you better bring a coat or jacket with you!

The coach controlled the speed and the direction while you enjoyed the view!!!





He might also ask you whether you like roller-coaster. If you say yes, he will start to swing you and make you glide in circle until you go dizzy o.o''' Don't throw up....

 BTW, they let you hold the camera throughout the course which is quite scary cos I thought I might drop it any seconds. But it was quite a heavy stick and it's attached to you so I guess it won't ever fall. I was the cameraman while I was gliding!! (Multi-tasking)

 It was around half 4 when I was gliding so the sun was about to set.

You might not see it clearly but I was lucky enough to see the Mount Fuji quite clearly in front of me because the fog faded a bit when I was para-gliding! It was really one of my best experiences in my life and I probably will learn how to para-glide so that I can glide off other famous mountains in the world!!

 For the way back, the para-glide school owner was very kind to drive me back to the station!

He also shared his hobby of this traditional Japanese instrument!!


I was so honoured to listen to this while looking out to this beautiful sunset!!

 Then I went back by bus, going back to Tokyo. (You better pre-book your bus ticket though, cos it's often quite full. Plus, it's handier than the train cos it arrives straight at Shinjuku)

Homepage of the Asagiri Kogen Paraglide School: http://www.asagiri-para.com/english/index.html

You know how I met this Wine Factory owner, he gave me free bottles of the white wine he produced! Please support when you are in Japan! It's probably selling now in the supermarket? (not sure...)



It's called Shinzen

Feel free to contact me and leave comments if you have any queries about any of my trips! ^^