Climbing Mt. Fuji (富士山) -
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Mt. Fuji (富士山), Japan's highest mountain
and the most visited mountain in the world

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is Mt. Fuji (富士山, Fuji-san) the highest mountain in Japan?
Q: How many people climb Mt. Fuji (富士山) every year?
Q: When is Mt. Fuji's official climbing season?
Q: When are the best dates to climb during Mt. Fuji's climbing season?
Q: Is there a choice of hiking routes when climbing Mt. Fuji?
Q: How long does it take to climb to the top of Mt. Fuji and what is the elevation gain?
Q: Are there some Mt. Fuji mountain huts where I can rest or sleep along the way?
Q: Is it necessary to make reservations at the Fuji-san mountain huts?
Q: What kind of equipment is required for climbing Mt. Fuji?
Q: What temperatures can I expect when climbing Mt. Fuji?
Q: Where can I see current weather conditions and/or weather forecasts for Mt. Fuji?
Q: How do I reach Mt. Fuji's 5th Station (Go-gome)?
Q: What is the elevation of Mt. Fuji's 5th Station?
Q: What kind of services and facilities will I find at Mt. Fuji's 5th Station?
Q: What kind of services and facilities will I find at Mt. Fuji's summit?
Q: What time of day is the best time to climb Mt. Fuji? 
Q: What time is sunrise and sunset on Mt. Fuji during climbing season?
Q: Where can I find a list of tips on "How to Climb Mt. Fuji"?
Q: Do I have to worry about altitude sickness when climbing Mt. Fuji?
Q: What should I do if I have an accident, get sick, or have some other kind of trouble or emergency?
Q: Are there are any live webcams showing Mt. Fuji?
Q: Where can I find a good route map or elevation profile for climbing Mt. Fuji?
Q: What is the latitude and longitude of Mt. Fuji?
Q: Where can I view videos of Mt. Fuji from an airplane? 
Q: Is it ok to climb Mt. Fuji with children?
Q: Where can I read some stories, both pro and con, by people who've actually climbed to the top of Mt. Fuji?
Q: Where can I view some good videos that encapsulate the true spirit and essence of climbing Mt. Fuji?
Q: Where can I eat, sleep, and sightsee at the base of Mt. Fuji?
Q: I'm not a mountain climber. Are there guided Mt. Fuji tours I can join?
Q: Where can I get more helpful info on climbing Mt. Fuji?

Q: Is Mt. Fuji (富士山, Fuji-san) the highest mountain in Japan?
A: Yes, at an elevation of 3776m (12,388 ft.) it is not only Japan's highest mountain, but along with Mt. Tateyama and Mt. Hakusan, it is one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains" (三霊山, Sanreizan). It is also one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains (日本百名山, Nihon Hyaku-meizan).

Q: How many people climb Mt. Fuji every year?
A: I'm not aware of any reliable total estimates, but the Daily Yomiuri newspaper reported on Aug. 31, 2010 that as of 5 pm Sun. Aug. 29, a record 253,414 climbers had been counted during the 2-month Mt. Fuji (富士山) climbing season on the main Kawaguchiko Yoshida trail, according to the safety guidance center at the trail's 6th station. With 2 days remaining in the official climbing season, this number will likely reach 260,000 climbers. This is the 2nd straight record-setting year, surpassing last year's climbing season tally of 247,066. 

The main Kawaguchiko Yoshida trail, which serves the Tokyo metropolitan area, is the only one of the four Mt. Fuji (富士山) trails originating in Yamanashi Prefecture. Counting the other 3 trails from Shizuoka Prefecture as well as all the off-season climbing which occurs during the other 10 months of the year, one could argue even with a conservative guesstimate that at least a half-million (500,000) climbers trek up the slopes of Mt. Fuji every year. Wow. And this doesn't even include the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the 5th stations every year by car or bus and who don't even climb Mt. Fuji. No wonder Mt. Fuji is known as the most visited mountain in the world.

Q: When is Mt. Fuji's official climbing season?
A: It lasts for only two months, from July thru August. During these months, temperatures at the summit can be below freezing at night. Though there is no closing date as such, and it is possible to climb Mt. Fuji outside of the July 1-Aug. 31 official climbing season, it is not recommended, as most facilities, including most mountain huts, are closed; weather conditions are unstable and unpredictable; rescue personnel are limited, climbing conditions may be extremely hazardous; and public transportation access is minimal. 

The following Mt. Fuji winter climb warning is from the Fujiyoshida City's official website:
Three Deadly Reasons to Stay off Mt. Fuji in the off-season:
● Avalanche. Mt. Fuji is the perfect domain for avalanches due to its steep slope and lack of vegetation. When a slab of ice breaks free, the hiker will be pummeled against snow, ice, and trees before being buried as if encased in wet concrete.
● Winds. Strong winds literally blow climbers off the slippery slopes. There have been several cases of tents flying off of the slopes with their occupants onboard.
● Hypothermia. Though not limited to the off-season, hypothermia is a life-threatening condition that proves fatal if not diagnosed and treated properly. It is the result of a hiker's core body temperature dropping and internal organs succumbing to the cold. (http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/div/english/html/winter_climbing.html)

I might add that Japanese climbers die from hypothermia ALL the time, even in July & August, so attempting Mt. Fuji in winter is a death wish, in my humble opinion. If climbing Mt. Fuji during winter, the Yamanashi Police Dept. requires this Climbing Plan form be filled out & emailed or faxed prior to your journey: http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/div/english/html/images/misc/Climbing%20Form.doc

Q: When are the best dates to climb during Mt. Fuji's climbing season?
A: School is usually out from around July 20 thru the end of August, so if you want to beat the crowds, before July 20th on a weekday is best, but in early July you risk climbing Mt. Fuji on late lingering snow fields. At all costs, avoid the Obon holiday period, usually Aug. 13-17, and weekends, especially Saturday nights.

Climbing Mt. Fuji
(the trek to Mecca?)

Q: Is there a choice of hiking routes when climbing Mt. Fuji?
A: Yes, there are 4 routes:
1) Kawaguchiko Yoshida course (by far the most popular, as it serves climbers from the Tokyo metropolitan area) http://mountfujiguide.com/guide/Kawaguchiko_Fujiyoshida_Trail
2) Fujinomiya course http://mountfujiguide.com/guide/Fujinomiya_Trail (the shortest route--4 hrs. 20 min.--and the highest starting elevation: 2400m)
3) Subashiri course http://mountfujiguide.com/guide/Subashiri_Trail (the tree line @ 2700m is the highest on any route)
4) Gotemba course http://mountfujiguide.com/guide/Gotemba_Trail (the longest route--6 hrs. 20 min.--and the lowest starting elevation: 1440m)

Q: How long does it take to climb to the top of Mt. Fuji and what is the elevation gain?
A: Among the 4 climbing trails, on average it'll take about 5 hrs. 10 min. up and 2 hrs. 55 min. down. On the main Kawaguchiko Yoshida climbing course, if you're in good shape, from the 5th Station you should allow at least 5 hrs. up and about 3.5 hrs. down, as shown in the graphic below. You'll gain 1471 meters (4824 ft.), almost a vertical mile, which is comparable to climbing the 1250-ft-tall Empire State Building in New York City almost 4 times. Wow.

Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Yoshida trail climbing times (source)

Q: Are there some Mt. Fuji mountain huts where I can rest or sleep along the way?
A: Yes, but they can be very crowded (read: full) during climbing season. Believe it or not, this incredible mountain has over 40 mountain huts which sleep nearly 7000 people:

On a separate page I've complied a list of Mt. Fuji mountain huts for the main Kawaguchiko Yoshida trail with website addresses, phone numbers, elevations, sleeping capacities, and opening/closing dates. Lists of Mt. Fuji mountain huts for the other routes are shown on the climbing course pages linked above. Please note: a little known secret is that many huts are open well into September, even October, so if you really want to escape the crowds, consider hiking up Mt. Fuji in early to mid-September. One hazard though is the frequent typhoons that normally blast thru Japan in September. 

Q: Is it necessary to make reservations at the Fuji-san mountain huts?
A: Although not required, they're appreciated & would definitely be a good idea because the huts are quite packed during climbing season. The average base weekday rate is 5000 yen per night, plus an optional 1000 yen for dinner, 1000 yen for breakfast, and an extra 1500 yen for weekend nights. So staying on a Fri. or Sat. night with dinner & breakfast will run at least 8500 yen. Some staff speak English.

Q: What kind of equipment is required for climbing Mt. Fuji?
A: Because climbing any mountain will subject climbers to highly variable, unpredictable, and often extreme weather conditions, one should follow the Boy Scout motto and be prepared for any scenario. Accordingly, sturdy high-cut, waterproof hiking boots, gaiters (to keep your boots from filling up with small volcanic rocks on the way down), warm layered clothing, wick-dry underwear/undershirt, sweater/windbreaker, wool socks, gloves, sunglasses, hat (with hat clip to keep it from blowing away in strong winds), hiking stick (pole), flashlight or headlamp (w/ spare batteries), effective rain wear (both top & bottom....ponchos are no good!), camera (w/ extra battery & memory card), plastic bags to carry out your trash ("Pack it in, Pack it out!"), small first-aid kit (w/ aspirin for altitude sickness), toilet paper, hand towel, high-energy snacks (e.g. CalorieMate, sweets, nuts, chocolate), a change of clothing, and sunscreen are essential. 

You should also bring lots of cash (including 100-yen coins for the 200-yen, pay-per-use eco-toilets) to buy stuff like souvenirs, to pay for the huts, to get your commemorative Mt. Fuji hiking stick stamped, to eat a hot meal (curry rice or ramen may cost 1000 yen), to mail a postcard from the summit, to catch a bus from the 5th station, etc. ATMs are generally found in most Japanese convenience stores these days, but they do not have 24-hour service. I also suggest you bring your own water, at least 2 liters per person, as you will have to fork over 500 yen/bottle at the huts & vending machines, and there are generally no huts or watering spots along the "down" trails. Because Fuji-san is basically a "hike-up" climb (albeit a fairly steep one), with only some occasional scrambling, no technical equipment is required to climb Mt. Fuji.

Mt. Fuji hiking sticks are usually bought for around 1000 yen and can be stamped at each station for an additional 200 yen per stamp per station
(Photo courtesy: Alexandre Courbot)

Q: What temperatures can I expect when climbing Mt. Fuji?
A: The average temperature during the climbing season at the summit is between 5-8 degrees C (41-46 degrees F), but it sometimes drops below freezing. So if there's a strong wind, it can not only feel quite frigid, but expose climbers to hypothermia. During August at Mt. Fuji's summit, the average high temperature is 9.1 degrees C (~48 degrees F) and the average low temperature is 3.4 degrees C (~38 degrees F). Temperatures at the top are generally about 20 degrees C (36 degrees F) less than at the base, or 10 degrees C (18 degrees F) less than at the 5th Station.

Q: Where can I see current weather conditions and/or weather forecasts for climbing Mt. Fuji?
A: Summit: 
http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Fuji-san/forecasts/3776 (6-day forecast)
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/amedas_h/today-50066.html?areaCode=000&groupCode=35 (hourly observations)
Very near Mt. Fuji:
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/47721.html
Fujiyoshida City (near Mt. Fuji):
http://bit.ly/atXoCB (Japanese)

Q: How do I reach Mt. Fuji's 5th Station (Go-gome)?
A: From Tokyo you can catch a highway bus from the west side of Shinjuku Station directly up to Fuji-san's Kawaguchiko 5th Station. During the summer 2-month climbing season, buses run 6 times everyday in both directions. The bus trip to the Mt. Fuji 5th Station departs Shinjuku @ 7:45, 8:45, 9:40, 16:50, 17:50, & 19:30, and takes about 2 hrs. 25 min. and costs 2600 yen. Return buses back to Shinjuku take 2 hr. 20 min. & depart the 5th Station every hour on the hour from 10:00 till 15:00.  More details on Mt. Fuji bus schedules and reservations are here (in English) & here (in Japanese).

If you want to go by car via the Fuji Subaru toll road to the Kawaguchiko 5th Station, there are 4 free parking areas waiting for you there between the 4th & 5th Stations, totaling nearly 900 parking spaces. But the round-trip toll will set you back 2300 yen and please be aware that in 2011, the road is closed to private vehicles from July 16-18 & Aug. 5-16.

Q: What is the elevation of Mt. Fuji's 5th Station ?
A: It depends on the trail you choose:

Fujinomiya Trail - 2400m
Gotemba Trail - 1440m
Subashiri Trail - 2000m
Kawaguchiko Yoshida Trail - 2305m

Q: What kind of services and facilities will I find at Mt. Fuji's 5th Station?
A: The Kawaguchiko 5th Station is a city in and of itself, so before you set out to climb Mt. Fuji, you'll find just about anything and everything you need....convenience stores, restaurants, souvenir shops, toilets, firemen, police, mountain huts, guidance center, post office, and a viewing platform.

Q: What kind of services and facilities will I find at Mt. Fuji's summit?
A: You'll find food vendors, coffee, noodle shops, and.....(do I dare say it?).....even vending machines (w/ drinks for 500 yen). When I climbed Mt. Fuji, I even mailed a postcard from the summit to my friend in California. Can you imagine how cool it'd be to receive a postcard that is postmarked from the highest post office in Japan? Yeah ! If you have an extra 60-90 min. to kill, you can also hike around the summit crater, known as "Ohachimeguri (お鉢めぐり, お鉢巡り)," meaning in Japanese "to go around the bowl." Click thumbnail below to view detailed trail map for Mt. Fuji's Ohachimeguri:

Ohachimeguri (お鉢めぐり) trail map
(1.5-hr. hiking course around Mt. Fuji's summit crater)

Q: What time of day is the best time to climb Mt. Fuji?
A: Because most people want to arrive at the summit for sunrise, climbing Mt. Fuji at night is the busiest and most crowded time on the trails. If you want to avoid the crowds, a Mt. Fuji trek during the daytime is probably better; but I must admit, the unobstructed view of the sunrise is awesome. When I climbed Mt. Fuji on the first Saturday in August, my friends and I left the Kawaguchiko Yoshida 5th Station around 10:15 pm and arrived at Mt. Fuji's summit just before sunrise around 4:55 am. By that time a layer of clouds had formed near the base of the peak, so the sun actually rose above the clouds, like the view you sometimes see from airplanes flying above the clouds. The Japanese call this phenomenon "unkai (雲海)," meaning sea of clouds.

Mt. Fuji's "unkai (雲海)" (sea of clouds)

Another option is to start climbing Mt. Fuji from the 5th Station in the late morning, arrive at the top for the equally beautiful sunset, sleep overnight at the top, catch the sunrise the next morning, and then head back down during the day. This page has some recommended plans for climbing Mt. Fuji, depending on how many days you have and what time of day you want to start hiking: http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/div/english/html/climbing_plans.html

Source: U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C.
(Note: 2011 sunrises/sunsets for Mt. Fuji are either exactly the same
or vary by only 1 min. from those shown above.)

Q: Where can I find a comprehensive checklist of tips on "How to Climb Mt. Fuji"?
A: This is one of the best checklists I've seen so far, courtesy of Toru Sasaki: http://fujisan.yamakei.co.jp/en-success.html

Q: Do I have to worry about altitude sickness when climbing Mt. Fuji?
A: If you are not an experienced hiker nor have trained properly, there is a real possibility of altitude sickness, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting. The best way to avoid this is to pace yourself, take lots of breaks, and to acclimate yourself to the higher elevations. Perhaps you can even sleep for a while, say, at the 5th, 7th, or 8th Stations, giving your body a chance to adjust to the thinner air. If your travel schedule permits, staying overnight at one of the area hotels at the base of the mountain before starting your climb will also help with the acclimation process. While some mountain huts have oxygen bottles, if you suffer a severe case of altitude sickness with vomiting, it is probably best to get down off the mountain ASAP. An excellent report on the causes and prevention of altitude sickness can be found here.

Q: What should I do if I have an accident, get sick, or have any other kind of trouble or emergency?
A: Carrying a first-aid kit is a good idea, but if you need emergency assistance, it's best to try to make it to the nearest mountain hut. There are emergency aid stations at the 7th & 8th Stations on the Kawaguchiko Yoshida course and at the 8th Station on the Fujinomiya course, which are open from mid-July to mid- or late August. For more serious emergencies, you should dial "110" on your cell phone (assuming it works on Mt. Fuji) to receive immediate assistance. Also, at the Kawaguchiko Yoshida trail 6th Station (Tel. 0555-24-6223) as well as at the Fujinomiya trail 5th Station are Safety Guidance Centers where you can get help with injuries and other emergencies.

Let's be clear, Mt. Fuji can be quite dangerous, and during the past 7 years has claimed on average 5 lives per year. Overconfidence results in deaths & injuries on Mt. Fuji every single year. This page shows a current & fairly detailed list of Mt. Fuji fatalities since 2003.

Q: Are there are any live webcams showing Mt. Fuji?
A: Yes, try these:
http://live-fuji.jp/fuji/livee.htm
http://www.vill.yamanakako.yamanashi.jp/zekkei/
http://www3.shizuokanet.ne.jp/sinet/cam.acgi
http://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/~live/
http://www.fujiyoshida.net/forms/info/info.aspx?info_id=1998

Q: Where can I find a good route map or elevation profile for climbing Mt. Fuji?
A: Since the trails are very well marked, and are almost always filled with throngs of people, it'll be difficult to get lost & you probably won't need one. Free English brochures are available at the tourist information centers in Tokyo & Kawaguchiko. Just make sure before you head down, you choose the right trail, or you'll wind up at the wrong 5th Station and that'd be a real bummer. 

Kawaguchiko Yoshida trail map

Fujinomiya trail map

Subashiri trail map

Gotemba trail map

One of the best internet maps, in my humble opinion, is my own customized Google Map of Mt. Fuji, which offers a very impressive 3D view if you have Google Earth installed on your PC.  Using GE's tilt & rotate features, you can actually fly around the cone of Mt. Fuji as if you were in an airplane:

Another useful route map for climbing Mt. Fuji is the Yamareco map shown below, which includes an elevation profile graph from a person who hiked up the Kawaguchiko Yoshida trail and then all the way around Mt. Fuji's cone.

Route Map & Elevation Profile
for Climbing Mt. Fuji (富士山)

Also, I was impressed with the interesting 3D schematic below of the Kawaguchiko Yoshida climbing trail, courtesy of the Fujiyoshida City International Affairs Section.

(Click on image to view original full-size trail map)

Q: What is the latitude and longitude of Mt. Fuji (富士山)?
A: Latitude: 35° 21' 28.8" N
    Longitude: 138° 43' 51.6" E

Q: Where can I view videos of Mt. Fuji (富士山) from an airplane?
A: This is probably one of the better ones, but not necessarily because it's mine.  

Here are a few more:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMTQNE1DJWo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udigRRR2a5E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iPkkAAiAI4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paaHSzgJqPE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EieXCWknSQ

Diamond Fuji photo taken Feb. 17, 2011 by Berndt Otto

Q: Where can I get more helpful info on climbing Mt. Fuji?
A: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6901.html
http://mountfujiguide.com/guide/Mount_Fuji_Climbing_Guide
http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/div/english/html/index.html
http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanashi.jp/div/english/html/climb.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/featuredarticles/mtfuji/fuji_05.html
http://wikitravel.org/en/Mount_Fuji

Kawaguchiko Yoshida Trail 5th Station General Management Center: 0555-72-1477
Fujiyoshida Tourist Info Center: 0555-22-7000
International Affairs Desk, Fujiyoshida City Hall (8:30-5:30, Mon.-Fri.): 0555-24-1236  (+81-555-24-1236 from overseas)

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