Climbing Mount Fuji

Can You Climb Fuji?

Yes — Mount Fuji is climbed by 300,000+ people every year. It requires no technical climbing skills or equipment. It is, however, a genuine physical challenge: 1,400m of elevation gain from 5th Station to the summit at 3,776m, often in cold, windy conditions, frequently in darkness.

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Climbing Season

Official season: Approximately July 1 – September 10.

Outside this window, mountain huts and toilets are closed, trails may be snow-covered, and emergency services are unavailable. Climbing outside season is possible but strongly discouraged.

New 2024 restriction: The Yoshida Trail now closes the gate to prevent crowds and dangerous nighttime climbing by unprepared hikers (“bullet climbing”). Check current rules at fujisan.or.jp.

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The Trails

Yoshida Trail (Most Popular)

Starting point: Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (2,305m)

Distance: 14km round trip

Time: 5–7 hours up, 3–4 hours down

Facilities: Most mountain huts, toilets, water (expensive)

Character: Busiest trail. Good infrastructure. 5th Station has shops, restaurants.

Fujinomiya Trail

Starting point: Fujinomiya 5th Station (2,400m)

Time: 4–6 hours up, 2.5–3.5 hours down

Character: Steeper but shorter. Second most popular.

Gotemba Trail

Starting point: Gotemba 5th Station (1,440m)

Character: Longest, least crowded. The Osunabashiri (sand run) descent is fast and fun.

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The Overnight Strategy (Recommended)

Most experienced climbers ascend overnight to reach the summit at sunrise (goraiko). This avoids afternoon cloud cover, provides a spectacular goal, and means you’re above the cloud line for the sunrise.

Typical plan:

• Leave 5th Station 8–10pm
• Hike through the night
• Reach summit 4–5am
• Watch sunrise (typically 4:45–5:15am in summer)
• Descend by 9–10am

Mountain huts: Located at regular intervals from 7th Station upward. Dormitory sleeping (¥7,000–12,000). Food and drinks available (expensive). Book months ahead for July–August.

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Essential Packing List

Non-negotiable:

• Headlamp + spare batteries (night hiking essential)
• Warm waterproof jacket (summit can be 5°C in August)
• Gloves and hat
• Trekking poles (rentable at 5th Station, essential for knees)
• 2 liters of water minimum (supplement at mountain huts)
• Rain gear
• Layers (temperature drops ~6°C per 1,000m)

Recommended:

• Gaiters (volcanic gravel gets in shoes)
• High-calorie snacks
• Altitude sickness medication (consult doctor)
• Portable oxygen canister (available at 5th Station)

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Altitude Sickness

Fuji’s altitude (3,776m) causes altitude sickness in a significant percentage of climbers — headache, nausea, dizziness.

Prevention:

• Acclimatize at 5th Station for 30–60 minutes before starting
• Ascend slowly
• Hydrate well
• Don’t push through worsening symptoms — descend

Treatment: The only reliable treatment is descent. Do not continue up if symptoms are severe.

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Costs

Item	Cost
Highway bus Shinjuku → 5th Station	¥2,800 each way
Mountain hut overnight	¥7,000–12,000
Trekking pole rental	¥1,000
Summit fee (Yoshida Trail)	¥1,000
Water at mountain huts	¥500/500ml
Descent bus	¥2,800

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