Climbing Mount Fuji- Fueling the Journey with Great Coffee
Traveling to Japan had been something I’d been putting off for a while, even though I have family and friends there who constantly encouraged me to visit. This trip finally came together when my brother-in-law invited me to join him in climbing Mount Fuji—something he had already done twice before. It felt like the perfect opportunity to not only experience Japan, but to take on a challenge that pushed me physically and mentally.
As someone who hikes regularly on the East Coast of the U.S., I’m always chasing tougher climbs and better views. Fuji delivered on both. The entire experience felt strangely nostalgic—like a reminder of why I started hiking in the first place. The climb was demanding from the start, but reaching the summit before sunrise made every step worth it. Watching the sun rise above the clouds at 4 a.m. was easily one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen.
The conditions made the climb even more intense. The weather shifted constantly—one moment it was calm with a light breeze, and minutes later we were caught in a thunderstorm, completely soaked. It forced you to stay alert and respect the mountain the entire time.
The hike took us two days in total. We made it halfway up on the first day, and by the time we stopped, I was completely exhausted. I can honestly say the next morning would have been a lot tougher if I didn’t have coffee with me. Before making the final push to the summit, I brewed some of my favorite—Engine 4 Coffee’s Vanilla Bourbon Reserve—and it gave me exactly the boost I needed to keep going.
One of the most surprising parts of the climb was how many people were making the same journey. The trail was packed with hikers from all over the world, many of them also stopping to drink coffee along the way. At one point, I shared some of my coffee with a few people from China, and they told me they enjoyed the Vanilla Bourbon Reserve more than most of the tea they drink every morning. That moment stuck with me—it was a simple reminder of how something as small as a good cup of coffee can connect people, even on the side of a mountain.
Climbing Fuji wasn’t just about reaching the summit—it was about the experience, the challenge, and the moments along the way. And for me, it was also a reminder that no matter where you are in the world, a great cup of coffee can make the journey even better.
