Mount Fuji
Compare the four Mount Fuji routes and prepare for your first climb with guides to huts, altitude sickness, clothing, costs and entry rules.
Mount Fuji’s four trails compared: Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba and Fujinomiya
Four main trails climb Mount Fuji. Yoshida starts in Yamanashi Prefecture. Subashiri, Gotemba and Fujinomiya start in Sh…
Mount Fuji’s Yoshida Trail: getting there, booking huts and finding the descent
The Yoshida Trail is the most popular of Mount Fuji’s four main routes. It starts in Yamanashi Prefecture at the Fuji-Su…
Mount Fuji’s Fujinomiya Trail: the shortest route and why it’s steep
The Fujinomiya Trail is the shortest of Mount Fuji’s four summit routes by distance. It also starts highest and has the …
Mount Fuji’s Subashiri Trail: a forested ascent and the Sunabashiri descent
The Subashiri Trail begins in the forest at about 2,000 m. It continues onto open volcanic slopes, joins Yoshida at the …
Mount Fuji’s Gotemba Trail: why it’s quieter and what the long climb takes
Gotemba’s wide volcanic slopes can feel quieter than the busiest parts of Mount Fuji. This route also starts lower than …
Why overnight “bullet climbing” is risky on Mount Fuji, and how to plan an alternative
Leaving after work, hiking all night for sunrise and descending the same morning can sound like a way to save a night’s …
Booking a mountain hut on Mount Fuji: when to reserve, costs and where to stay
Once you’ve chosen a Mount Fuji route, the next decision is where to stop for the night. Booking dates, prices and meal …
What to wear on Mount Fuji: why a summer climb calls for warm layers
A warm start at the trailhead tells you little about how the upper mountain will feel. On Mount Fuji, the temperature dr…
Mount Fuji packing list: essentials, useful extras and what to leave behind
Packing for Mount Fuji means preparing for a long, exposed climb while keeping the load manageable. Start with what you …
Altitude sickness on Mount Fuji: what to do before you climb
At 3,776 m, lower air pressure means less oxygen is available per breath than at sea level. Good fitness does not protec…
Sunrise on Mount Fuji: how to choose a viewpoint and when to change plans
Many people climb Mount Fuji for goraikō, the sunrise seen from the mountain. Before choosing a station or aiming for th…
How much does it cost to climb Mount Fuji? Entry, hut and transport
The cost of climbing Mount Fuji depends on your route, where you start and whether you stay in a hut. Price the entry, a…
Toilets on Mount Fuji: locations, contributions and how to use them
Before you climb Mount Fuji, find the toilets on both your ascent and descent. Check when they open and how much change …
Climbing Mount Fuji with children: age guidance and how to plan at their pace
A child’s age is only one part of the decision to climb Mount Fuji. Think about whether they enjoy sustained hikes, can …
Training hikes before Mount Fuji: how to choose a route that builds your skills
Mount Fuji combines high altitude, long ascents and descents, loose volcanic gravel and fast-changing weather. Practice …
Descending Mount Fuji: how to manage the load on your knees
Mount Fuji’s descent can be tiring even after the climb goes well. Loose gravel, steep rock and the number of steps can …
Mount Fuji’s crater rim walk: How long it takes and how to reach Kengamine
From the top of Mount Fuji, you can follow a trail around the crater. This is Ohachimeguri, a roughly 3 km loop around a…
How to read the weather and choose a day to climb Mount Fuji
Choosing a day is one of the first decisions on a Mount Fuji trip. A sunny morning at the foot of the mountain can coinc…
How to avoid Mount Fuji’s crowds: Days, times and routes
Mount Fuji’s summer climbing season is only about two months long. On busy days, lines can form on the trails below the …
Mount Fuji climbing rules: Fees, entry hours and reservations
Mount Fuji’s summer trails have entry rules that affect when you can start and what you need to do at the trailhead. Che…
Climbing Mount Fuji solo: Preparation and when to turn back
Can you climb Mount Fuji alone? Some hikers do, but the 3,776 m ascent requires you to recognize problems, navigate and …
How to choose a Mount Fuji tour: Bus packages and guided climbs
A tour can help with a first Mount Fuji climb, especially if you would rather have help with the logistics or someone ex…
When to turn back at Mount Fuji’s fifth station
Arriving at a fifth station is a chance to decide whether to start the climb. You may already be between 1,440 m at Gote…
Can you climb Mount Fuji outside the season? Trail closures and winter conditions
Mount Fuji’s summer climbing season generally runs from early July to early September, with different opening dates by t…
What to hike after Mount Fuji: Choosing your next mountain
After climbing Mount Fuji, you might be ready to head out again but unsure where to go. The number of possible routes ma…