Photo: Reginald Pentinio
Climbing Mount Fuji (3776 meters), Japan’s highest and most prominent mountain, can make for lifelong memories. Climbing Mount Fuji is very popular not only among Japanese but also foreign tourists.
The opening day of Mount Fuji every year is July 1. Two months from this day to the end of August is the general climbing season. Beginners are expected to climb in July or August because during these months, climbers’ buses are run and huts are open. (Only a few huts are open in later June and early September.) The temperature is very low in September. Climbing outside the climbing season is the area of experts and requires corresponding equipment and clothing.
It’s better to reserve a hut in advance. Especially in the case of staying overnight in a large group, you are expected to contact a hut beforehand. Of course, you might not be able to climb as planned and arrive at the hut you have reserved. However, making a plan for climbing in advance is important. Discuss what time you can start climbing and which hut you can reach with the skills of the members of your group.
Mountain Huts
The Yoshida Trail is lined by more than a dozen mountain huts between the 7th and 8th stations. Other trails have fewer mountain huts. An overnight stay typically costs around 5000 yen per person without meals and around 7000 yen per person with two meals. Expect the huts to be extremely crowded during the peak.
Some mountain huts also allow non-staying climbers to take a rest inside at a cost of typically 1000-2000 yen per hour. Most also offer paid toilets (typically 100-200 yen) and sell food, water and other climbing provisions such as canned oxygen. In addition, most of the huts have special branding irons they use to brand the wooden hiking sticks (for a small fee) that many hikers purchase when climbing the mountain.
The Trails
Mount Fuji is divided into ten stations with the first station at the foot of the mountain and the tenth station being the summit. Paved roads go as far as the fifth station halfway up the mountain. There are four 5th stations on different sides of the mountain, from where most people start their ascent:
Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yamanashi Prefecture)
Yoshida Trail
Altitude: about 2300 meters
Ascent: 5-7 hours
Descent: 3-5 hours
This is the most popular base for the climb to the summit, and the most easily accessible 5th Station from the Fuji Five Lake region and central Tokyo. Lots of mountain huts line the trail around the 7th and 8th stations, and there are separate trails for the ascent and descent.
Subashiri 5th Station (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Subashiri Trail
Altitude: about 2000 meters
Ascent: 5-8 hours
Descent: 3-5 hours
This 5th Station is located only at 2000 meters above sea level and is the base of the Subashiri Trail. The Subashiri Trail meets the Yoshida Trail around the 8th station.
Gotemba 5th Station (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Gotemba Trail
Altitude: about 1400 meters
Ascent: 7-10 hours
Descent: 3-6 hours
This is by far the lowest 5th Station, and the ascent to the summit is accordingly much longer than from the other 5th stations. The Gotemba Trail leads from the Gotemba 5th Station to the summit. There are about four huts around the 7th and 8th station.
Fujinomiya 5th Station (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Fujinomiya Trail
Altitude: about 2400 meters
Ascent: 4-7 hours
Descent: 2-4 hours
The closest 5th Station to the summit, the Fujinomiya 5th Station is the base for the southern approach via the Fujinomiya Trail. It is easily accessible from stations along the Tokaido Shinkansen. There are about half a dozen mountain huts along this trail.
Is it difficult?
The ascent to the summit does not pose any major difficulties regarding climbing skills. Only at some points the terrain is rather steep and rocky. Abundant signs along the trail warn the hikers of other minor problems such as sudden wind gusts and falling rocks. However, the main challenge of the climb is the fact that it is very strenuous and the air gets notably thinner as you gain altitude.
Climbing Equipment
In order to climb Mount Fuji safely and pleasantly, choosing tools and clothes is an important factor. First of all, prepare the required mountain-climbing equipment.
Climbing Shoes, Knapsack, Cold-weather Wear, Rain Gear, Hat/Cap, Headlamp, Gloves, Underwear, Long-Sleeved Shirt, Socks, Pants, Poles(75 W or below）, Spats, Portable Oxygen, Earplugs, Inner Sleep Bag, Moist Wipes, Sunglasses, Medical Tape .
Admission Fee
During the climbing season, climbers of Mount Fuji are asked to contribute 1000 yen per person at collection stations at each trailhead. The money will be used to cover some of the expenditures arising from the huge number of climbers that visit the mountain each summer, especially regarding the protection of the environment and measures to guarantee the safety of climbers.
Altitude Sickness
The human body requires some time to adjust to a sudden increase of altitude, otherwise there is a risk of headache, dizziness and nausea. Quite a few people who climb Mount Fuji, suffer from altitude sickness.
To avoid altitude sickness, you are advised to tackle the mountain at a slow pace, stay hydrated and make frequent breaks. An overnight stay at a hut around the 7th or 8th station is recommended as opposed to a straight climb to the top. Small bottles of oxygen, available at the 5th stations and mountain huts, can be an effective tool in preventing and fighting altitude sickness; however, the only reliable treatment is to descend the mountain.
Transport from Tokyo to Mt.Fuji
From TOKYO
All the buses from Tokyo Station to Kawaguchiko Station now operate via Chuo Expressway. By taking the first bus of the day, you arrive at Yoshida Trail’s fifth station around at 10 o’clock. The first bus and buses departing at 10:20 a.m. or earlier bound for Kawaguchiko Station leave from Yaesu South Bus Terminal, and buses departing 11:20 a.m. or later leave from Tekko Building Bus Terminal.
From Shinjuku Station, use a convenient express bus going directly to the Subaru Line fifth station, the entrance to the Yoshida Trail. Additionally, express buses bound for Kawaguchiko Station depart at 30-minute to one-hour intervals. The boarding/landing place is Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal.
Express buses from Shibuya Station bound for Kawaguchiko Station operate 12 times a day. You get on and off the bus at the fifth floor of Shibuya Mark City, a landmark of the Shibuya Station West Exit area. It’s directly connected to Shibuya Station on the Keio Inokashira Line.
Triplisher recommended ticket
JR Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Pass
Mt Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi Bus Day Tour
Fuji Safari Park・ Strawberry picking experience ・Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine
Book Mountain Hut here >> Hut Reservations
Guide to Fuji Area >> Mt. Fuji Explorer