
When you think of Japan, you think of Mt. Fuji. Even beginners can climb Mt. Fuji if they know the right points. In this article, we will introduce the climbing routes you should know, the equipment you need to climb Mt. Fuji, and things to be careful of when climbing. Finally, we will introduce recommended accommodations around Mt. Fuji, so please check them out as well.
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The climbing season for Mt. Fuji runs from early July until the snow melts to early September..
The climbing season changes every year depending on the remaining snow and the condition of the hiking trails, and also varies depending on the hiking route, so be sure to check the exact climbing season on the official Mt. Fuji website before climbing Mt. Fuji.
Be sure to thoroughly check the climbing routes on Mount Fuji, the climate on Mount Fuji, and the equipment needed to climb the mountain, and be fully prepared.
There are four climbing routes to Mount Fuji, each with a different level of difficulty.
Mount Fuji climbing route | Difficulty of climbing route | Climbing time estimate |
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Yoshidaguchi (Yamanashi Prefecture side) | beginner~ | About 10 time |
Subashiri Exit (Shizuoka Prefecture side) | Intermediate to advanced | About 10 time |
Gotemba Exit (Shizuoka Prefecture side) | Advanced | about two and a half hours |
Fujinomiya Exit (Shizuoka Prefecture side) | beginner~ | about two and a half hours |
The access to each trailhead is as follows:
・How to get to Yoshidaguchi
·bus:Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal → Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station
・Train & Bus:Shinjuku Station → Fujikyuko Line "Mt. Fuji Station" → Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station
・How to get to Subashiriguchi
・Train & Bus:Tokyo Station → JR Gotemba Line "Gotemba Station" or Odakyu Odawara Line "Shin-Matsuda Station" → Subashiriguchi 5th Station
・How to get to Gotemba Exit
・Train & Bus:Tokyo Station → JR Gotemba Line "Gotemba Station" → Gotembaguchi New 5th Station
・How to get to Fujinomiyaguchi
・Train & Bus:Tokyo Station → JR Tokaido Main Line "Mishima Station" → Fujinomiyaguchi 5th Station
Before climbing Mount Fuji, be sure to learn about the climate there and prepare the right equipment.
Japan Meteorological Agency's weather data for 2024According to the above, the average maximum and minimum temperatures during the Mount Fuji climbing season are as follows:
[Temperature during Mt. Fuji climbing season]
October | October | October | |
---|---|---|---|
Average maximum temperature | 8.4 ℃ | 11.2 ℃ | 9.6 ℃ |
Average minimum temperature | 4.1 ℃ | 5.6 ℃ | 3.7 ℃ |
Even in summer, the temperature on Mount Fuji is around 10°C. Please note that the above is the average temperature, and depending on the time of day or day, the minimum temperature may drop below freezing.
While climbing, you will feel warm in the sunlight during the day because there is nothing to block the sun, but the wind is strong at the summit and it can feel much colder once the sun goes down.
When dressing for mountain climbing, it is important to keep in mind layers so that you can easily regulate your temperature.
Taking into account the climate of Mount Fuji, we will introduce the necessary equipment for climbing Mount Fuji below. We will also introduce some useful items for your reference.
[Equipment required for climbing Mt. Fuji]
Climbing shoes | On Mount Fuji, you will be walking on volcanic gravel, so be sure to bring high-top hiking shoes with sturdy soles. |
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Mountain climbing rainwear | Bring a jacket and pants that you can easily take off and put on while climbing. |
Winter clothes | The summit before sunrise can be freezing cold even in summer, so be sure to bring a fleece or down jacket. |
Quick-drying clothing | If you get wet with sweat while climbing, your body heat will be easily lost, so be sure to wear quick-drying clothing. |
Sunglasses and sunscreen | The higher the altitude, the less shade you have, so be sure to bring sun protection items. |
head lamp | There will be no light when climbing to the summit at night, so even if you don't plan on doing any nighttime activities, it's a good idea to bring a headlamp just in case. |
Wed | A good rule of thumb is 1 to 2 liters. Carrying heavy luggage will increase the burden of climbing, so you may want to consider purchasing more at mountain huts depending on the situation. |
Behavioral diet | Bring chocolate, nuts, etc. to help you recover during the climb. It's also a good idea to bring some salt to replenish your body. |
Garbage bag | All trash produced during the climb of Mount Fuji must be taken home with you. |
100 Yen coin | All toilets along the trails to Mt. Fuji require a fee, and most do not take cards, so be sure to bring plenty of 100 yen coins. |
Work gloves/climbing gloves | When climbing Mt. Fuji, there are trails that go between rugged rocks, so it is a good idea to wear work gloves to protect your hands. |
[Items useful for climbing Mt. Fuji]
Gator | The trail down Mt. Fuji is a gravel road, so wear gaiters to prevent gravel from getting into your shoes. |
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stock | This reduces the strain on your feet when descending Mount Fuji. |
Earplugs and eye mask | In mountain huts on Mount Fuji, sleeping areas may only be separated by curtains, so be sure to take measures to ensure you can get a good night's sleep for the rest of the climb. |
Cairo | It gets very cold on Mount Fuji after the sun goes down. It's important to prepare warm clothes, but it's also a good idea to bring a heating pack. |
If you are a beginner attempting to climb Mt. Fuji, we recommend that you use a Mt. Fuji climbing equipment rental service to ensure you have all the necessary equipment.
To climb Mount Fuji, you will need to be aware of the entrance fees, mountaineering registration, and mountain entry regulations.
In response to the excessive number of climbers on Mount Fuji, an entrance fee will be set for those entering the mountain from the Yamanashi side in 2024.
Both Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures have announced plans to set an entrance fee of 2025 yen for all trailheads in 4,000, including a contribution to environmental conservation for Mount Fuji.(Information as of February 2024)
In addition, in 2024, when climbing Mount Fuji, it was necessary to register with either Yamanashi Prefecture or Shizuoka Prefecture depending on the trailhead used.
[Reference: Climbing registration procedures for 2024]
・If using the Yoshida Route:Make reservations and pay tolls through the Yamanashi Prefecture Mt. Fuji Yoshida Route Toll Reservation System
・If using the Subashiriguchi Route, Gotembaguchi Route, or Fujinomiya Route:Preparatory study on mountain climbing at a site designated by Shizuoka Prefecture and submission of a mountain climbing plan
Please check the latest information regarding mountain entrance fees and registration for the 2025 climbing season before climbing Mount Fuji to ensure you do not miss any necessary procedures.
Along with the introduction of entrance fees and mountain registration, access to Mount Fuji will be partially restricted from 2024.
As for 2025,The mountain gate will be closed between 2:3 p.m. and XNUMX:XNUMX a.m. the following day to restrict the number of climbers.The policy has been announced. (Information as of February 2024)
The final regulations for 2025 should be finalized by the climbing season of Mt. Fuji,Be sure to check for the latest informationPlease be so.
Even if the mountain gate is closed, you can still pass through the gate if you have made a reservation at a mountain hut.
Climbing Mount Fuji is not a quick climb,Make arrangements for mountain huts early..
When climbing Mt. Fuji at an altitude of over 2,000m, it is easy to develop altitude sickness. From the moment you start climbing, be sure to take deep breaths and drink plenty of water. Another way to prevent this is to not increase your climbing speed too much.
Also, the hiking trails on Mount Fuji can be slippery with sand and pebbles, and there are also steep, rocky areas. Keep a close eye on the movements of the climbers ahead of you, and be careful of falling rocks and slipping.
Climbing Mount Fuji requires physical strength, so it's a good idea to prepare yourself by doing some strength training beforehand.
We will introduce in detail the Yoshidaguchi route, which is the most popular route for climbing Mount Fuji.
The Yoshida Route has the following features:
・Easy access from the Tokyo metropolitan area
- Relatively gentle slope
・There are many mountain huts and aid stations along the route.
Due to the large number of mountain huts and the location of first aid stations, the Yoshida Trail is considered a safe route even for beginners.
The following is a rough guide to the climbing schedule for the Yoshida Trail if you want to watch the sunrise from the summit of Mt. Fuji.
[Items useful for climbing Mt. Fuji]
Day 1 | 11:00~ Arrive at Fuji Subaru Line XNUMXth Station (We spend about an hour here getting used to the altitude of Mt. Fuji.) 12:00~ Start climbing Mt. Fuji 17:00~ Arrive at the mountain hut at the XNUMXth station → Meal and nap |
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Day 2 | 2:00~ Start climbing to the summit of Mt. Fuji ~5:00 Arrive at the summit Around 5:00, sunrise ~10:00 Descend |
If you want to see the sunrise from the summit, it is recommended to stay at a mountain hut at the eighth station rather than at the sixth or seventh station. This is because the distance to the summit is closer, and even beginners have a higher chance of reaching the summit.
However, if you are worried about altitude sickness, it may be safer to rest early at the mountain hut at the seventh station.
We recommend staying at a glamping facility before or after climbing Mt. Fuji, where you can fully rest both your body and mind.
Besides mountain climbing, there are many other attractions around Mt. Fuji, such as Lake Kawaguchi and Fuji-Q Highland. Why not stay a few days and enjoy sightseeing around Mt. Fuji as well?
From here, we will introduce glamping facilities where you can enjoy 100% of Mt. Fuji's nature.
HOSHIFULL DOME FUJI, where you can rent an entire large dome tent with a diameter of 6m, is especially recommended for those considering the Yoshida Route when climbing Mount Fuji.
In addition to two types of BBQ plans where you can taste specially selected beef, there is also "Houtou BBQ", which is a must-try when sightseeing around Mt. Fuji.
The Gran Regalo ASAGIRI is especially recommended if you are considering climbing Mount Fuji via the Fujinomiya route.
You can spend a special time in a dome-shaped glamping facility surrounded by the natural beauty of the foothills of Mount Fuji.
Enjoy a luxurious outdoor experience at a BBQ where you can taste "Asagiri Yogurt Pork" and "Fuji Chicken", which are raised on the clean water and air of Mt. Fuji, as well as locally grown vegetables.
Advance preparation is important for a successful climb of Mount Fuji.
To enjoy climbing Mt. Fuji safely, be sure to understand the climbing season and routes, and be sure to prepare the right equipment before climbing Mt. Fuji.
Enjoy the nature around Mt. Fuji to the fullest through activities like mountain climbing and glamping.
glamping column