The official climbing season of Mt. Fuji is from July 1 to the end of August. Although all trails get really crowded, it's best to climb Mt. Fuji at this time of the year. The off season climb is discouraged due to the bad climate. See Average Weather in Mt. Fuji.
Mount Fuji's trails are named into 10 stations, depending on the elevation. You can go to the 5th stations (go-gome) by car or bus, so most people start climbing Mt. Fuji from the fifth station of each trail. To allow your body to adjust to the altitude, it's advised for you to stay in the 5th stations for at least 30 minutes before starting your climbing. Please note that 5th stations can be crowded with people and vehicles during the official climbing season. Also, if you begin having the symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea or vomiting, it's important not to keep climbing. Take a break before it gets worse or descend the mountain.
Many people start climbing Mt. Fuji in the afternoon and get some sleep at a mountain hut and climb up to the summit at sunrise or climb through the night with flashlights to get to the summit before the sunrise.
Mount Fuji's crater is surrounded by eight peaks. Walking around the crater is called ohachi-meguri and takes about 90 minutes. If you have the time and strength, try to go to the Kengamine peak. It's the highest point in Japan.
There are many mountain huts located between 5th stations to the summit. Drinks and food are sold in the huts, but they are expensive. Please make sure to bring enough water and food. It usually costs about 5,000 yen to 7,000 yen to spend a night in a mountain hut. Since they get extremely crowded, it's recommended to make a reservation. Most of mountain huts in Mt. Fuji are open only during the official climbing season.
Mount Fuji Mountain Huts List
For beginners, joining Mt. Fuji tours is a good idea. Many tours are available from various cities in Japan. Be prepared and have a safe climbing. See more tips on how to climb Mt. Fuji by Yama-Kei Publishers.
Mt. Fuji Climbing Routes:
1. Kawaguchiko-guchi / Yoshida-guchi Route
(Kawaguchikoguchi Gogome 5th Station at the altitude of 2,305m)
Approximate climbing time from Kawaguchiko-guchi 5th station: 5-6 hours
Approximate descending time: 3-4 hours
(*
Yoshida-guchi Route starts from the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine in Fujiyoshida-city, Yamanashi at the altitude of 850m. It takes about 5 hours to get to the
6th station from the shrine. Yoshida-guchi route meets Kawaguchiko-guchi route at the 6th station)
- It's the most popular route and tends to be very crowded.
- Kawaguchiko/Yoshidaguchi route is easily accessible from Tokyo.
- It's the second longest route.
- There are many mountain huts on this route.
- The sunrise can be seen from the mountain huts.
- It's a recommended route for beginners.
Access: Take a Fujikyu bus from Kawaguchiko Station in Yamanashi to Kawaguchiko-guchi Gogome 5th Station. Or, take a Chuo Highway bus from Shinjuku in Tokyo to Kawaguchiko-guchi Gogome 5th Station. It takes about two and half hours and costs 2,600 yen per adult for a one-way trip. Or, drive up the Fuji Subaru Line (toll road) from Kawaguchiko to the 5th station by car. *Private vehicles aren't allowed in mid. August. Fuji Subaru Line Information
2. Gotenba-guchi Route
(Gotenba-guchi Shingogome 5th Station at the altitude of 1,440m)
Approximate climbing time: 7-8 hours
Approximate descending time: 3-4 hours
- It's the longest route.
- There are fewer climbers than other routes.
- There are only a few mountain huts.
- Because of the oosunabashiri (volcanic sand slope) from the 7th station on the descent route, it takes much less time to descend.
Access: Take a bus from JR Gotenba Station in Shizuoka to Gotenbaguchi Shingogome 5th Station.
3. Fujinomiya-guchi Route
(Fujinomiya-guchi Shingogome 5th Station at the altitude of 2,400m)
Approximate climbing time: 5-6 hours
Approximate descending time: 2-3 hours
- It's the shortest route to the summit.
- It's the second most popular route and tends to be crowded.
- The descent route is the same as the ascent route.
4. Subashiri-guchi Route
(Subashiri-guchi Shin-go-gome 5th Station at the altitude of 2,000m)
Approximate climbing time: 5-6 hours
Approximate descending time: 3-4 hours
(*This route meets Kawaguchiko-guchi/Yoshida-guchi route at 8th Station)
- There are fewer climbers before the 8th Station.
- The descent route is popular because of the sunabashiri (volcanic sand slope).
