"If you come
to
Japan and don't climb Mt. Fuji, you're a fool; but if you climb it more
than once, you're an even BIGGER fool."
--old Japanese proverb--
For me, the attraction to climb Mt. Fuji was immediate. Less than 4
months
after arriving in this country, I was
worshipping
the sunrise from its summit on Sun. Aug. 4, 1991.
On this page which I first built in Aug. 2010, I have attempted to
answer
some of the most frequently asked questions about climbing Japan's
highest peak. It has grown considerably since then as visitors have
posed questions & shared their climbing experiences. And I've done
my best to keep the links current & the content up to date.
Should you have any
additional questions of your own or
would like to share your climbing story, feel free to use the form at
the bottom of this page. Thanks for visiting.
Mt. Fuji (富士山), Japan's highest mountain
and the most visited mountain in the world
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. (Note: This answer has been
updated. Pls. see more recent statistics below.)
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)
The following excerpt appears on a sign just below Kengamine (剣ヶ峰,
elev.
3776m), the highest point on Mt. Fuji's summit:
In
the wintertime, Mt. Fuji weather conditions are extremely harsh. The
maximum and minimum average temperatures at the summit are -15C (5F),
and -22C (-8F), respectively. The average wind speed is 20 to 30 m/s
(45 to 67 mph) with a 50% increase at the ridgeline. Mt. Fuji has heavy
snowfall when low pressure systems pass in the winter. The forest
reduces wind speeds below the 5th station, but they suddenly and
drastically increase above timberline. The relative temperature falls
by 1.0C with every increase of 1.0 m/s (1.8F per 2.2 mph) in wind
speed.
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
Aug.
31, 2012 update: This safety notice for Mt. Fuji climbers was just
posted in June 2012 by the Shizuoka Prefectural Police & National
Police Agency.
The video below encapsulates in a short minute and a
half just one of several reasons I've never climbed mountains in
winter. Uh, no thanks.
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?)
During the 2010 climbing season on the main Kawaguchiko Yoshida trail,
a
record-high 100,000 climbers climbed Mt. Fuji in July. On average,
more than 5,000 people climbed Mt. Fuji on Saturdays & Sundays
and everyday during Obon. And on Sat. Aug. 21, a shocking 10,000 people
(yes, you read that right) climbed Mt. Fuji on this one hiking trail
alone.
Detailed Mt. Fuji trail maps for each of its 4 climbing routes are
linked below.
Q: I'm
planning to climb Mt. Fuji in early July. Will there still be snow on
the trail?
A: Almost certainly 'yes.' According to this July 20, 2012 report (in
Japanese), all 3 trails from Shizuoka Prefecture are now open:http://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/kensetsu/ke-000/topics/mt_fuji_road.html
(Google
Translate is a useful tool for translating to/from other
languages.)
The Fujinomiya route above the New
7th Station and the
Subashiri route above the 7th Station were opened all the way to
the summit on Fri. July 13 @ 12 noon, and the Gotemba route above the
6th Station was opened on Fri. July 20 @ 12 noon. The page linked above
also previously featured some pics of all the snow that was still
remaining on
the
trails until the 3rd week of July.
July 2,
2012 update:
As for the Kawaguchiko Yoshida trail, I've been informed by the
Fujiyoshida City international affairs desk that the mountain hut staff
have now cleared the trail of snow all the way to the summit. But
because of the risk of falling rocks & avalanches due to the
remaining 3-meter snow depth around the 8th Station & damage caused
by Typhoon #4 from a
couple weeks ago, the downhill trail is closed for the time being and
climbers descending from Mt. Fuji's peak must share the uphill trail
section with those going up.
Aug. 2,
2012 update:
The Kawaguchiko tourist info center informed me this afternoon that the
downhill trail for the main Kawaguchiko Yoshida route is still closed
and
climbers descending from Mt. Fuji's peak must continue to share the
uphill trail
section with those going up. They also said this situation will likely
remain unchanged for the remainder of the climbing season. This should
make for some pretty massive traffic jams during the weekends on Mt.
Fuji's main climbing route.
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: What
are the hiking distances
from Mt. Fuji's 5th Stations to its summit and how
steep are the various Mt.
Fuji climbing trails?
A: Here are some Mt. Fuji climbing trail stats I've compiled from
various sources:
Mt.
Fuji
Climbing
Route
5th
Station
Starting
Elev. (m)
Elev.
Gain (m)
Hiking
Distance
(km)
%
Grade
Hiking
Time
Up
(hr:min)
Hiking
Time
Down
(hr:min)
Kawaguchiko
2305
1471
6.8
21.6
5:00
3:20
Fujinomiya
2400
1376
5.0
27.5
4:20
2:30
Subashiri
2000
1776
6.8
26.1
5:10
2:40
Gotemba
1440
2336
7.8
29.9
6:20
3:10
According to my less-than-scientific analysis, the
Gotemba Trail is not only the longest Mt. Fuji climbing route, but
because of the astounding,
knee-knocking elevation gain involved, it is also the steepest. One
thing you can look forward to on the downhill Gotemba Trail, though, is
the Osunabashiri (sand slope, 大砂走り) which many climbers literally run
down,
descending 1110m from the 3030-m 7th Station to the 1920-m New 5.5th
Station in only 70 minutes. Yee Hah !!
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 9.3 degrees C (~49 degrees F) and the
average low temperature is 3.6 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.
Mt. Fuji average & record temperatures
(Source: Wikipedia)
Interestingly, the highest temperature ever recorded on Mt. Fuji is
only 17.8 degrees C (64 degrees F). And I was amazed to see that
already in Oct. the average HIGH temperature is below freezing!
Q: How
do I reach Mt. Fuji's 5th Stations (Go-gome)?
A: For those climbing the main Kawaguchiko Yoshida route, 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 2012, the road is closed to private vehicles from July
16-18 & Aug. 5-16.
July
1, 2012 update: The newly launched Mt. Fuji Round Trip
Ticket provides foreign tourists a discounted round-trip ticket package
valid for train and bus travel between Tokyo and Mt. Fuji. The Mt.
Fuji Round Trip Ticket allows you to get on and off the
trains and buses freely in the area around Lake Kawaguchi and is
available for 2 days for only 5,500 yen. It is recommended for day
tours as well as those staying overnight & desiring to climb Mt.
Fuji's main Kawaguchiko Yoshida Trail. This special price saves about
half off the price of the regular fare. More details, including
links, are here: http://www.att-japan.net/en/topics/syosai/1350
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:
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
Q: How
can I avoid the crowds when
climbing Mt. Fuji?
A: In short, to avoid the crowds when climbing Mt. Fuji, don't climb
on the weekends, late in the afternoon, or on the main Kawaguchiko
Yoshida route. Here
are some interesting charts compiled courtesy of the National Parks of
Japan, showing statistics for Mt. Fuji climbers by route over the
past few years.
Number of Mt. Fuji climbers by year and route
Legend:
平成17年 = 2005
全体 = Total
平成18年 = 2006
吉田ルート =
Yoshida route
平成19年 = 2007
富士宮ルート =
Fujinomiya route
平成20年 = 2008
須走ルート =
Subashiri route
平成21年 = 2009
御殿場ルート =
Gotemba route
平成22年 = 2010
平成23年 = 2011
During
the July 1-Aug. 31, 2011 climbing season, there was a total of around
293,000 Mt. Fuji climbers, down around 28,000 from the previous year,
most likely due in part to the March 11, 2011 strongest ever
Japan
earthquake and tsunami. The breakdown of Mt. Fuji climbers by trail
was
165,038 (56%) on the Kawaguchiko Yoshida route, 72,441 (25%) on the
Fujinomiya route, 40,179 (14%) on the Subashiri route, and 15,758 (5%)
on the Gotemba route.
Of these approximate 293,000 Mt. Fuji climbers in 2011, around 110,000
(37%) climbed during July and around 183,000 (63%) climbed during
August. The busiest 10-day climbing period was in mid-August with over
71,000 climbers, or 24% of the total.
Number of Mt. Fuji climbers in 2011 by day and route
(Note: All dates shown above on the horizonal axis were Sundays,
and not surprisingly, the busiest climbing days were on the weekends.)
Number of Mt. Fuji climbers in 2010-2011 by time of day and route
(solid lines=2011; dashed lines=2010)
All charts & Mt. Fuji climbing statistics above are courtesy of
the and can be viewed
in their entirety (in Japanese) here.
Q: What
time is sunrise
and sunset on Mt. Fuji during climbing season?
Source: U.S. Naval Observatory,
Washington, D.C. (Note: 2013 sunrises/sunsets for Mt. Fuji are
either exactly the same
or vary by only 1 min. from those shown above.)
Q: Can I
leave my large backpack in a
locker at the train station and take only a smaller pack with me to
climb?
A: The availability of coin lockers depends on a number of factors,
including the trail you take, day of week, & time of day of your
climb, all of which will affect how
crowded it is at the time. You should be aware, though, that the number
of coin lockers large enough for backpacks is usually quite limited,
and may be all filled
during peak times. According to the City of Fujiyoshida, coin lockers
for large luggage are available at Mt. Fuji Station, Kawaguchiko
Station, and possibly at the Mt. Fuji 5th Station. Although, they warn
that sometimes people have had problems storing large hard-shelled
luggage. The starting cost is 300 yen. Also, arrangements may be made
at
either the Mt. Fuji or Kawaguchiko Tourist Information Centers.
The chart below shows the sizes and costs for coin lockers typically
found at train
stations operated by JR East, although all sizes may not necessarily
be available at the smaller train stations in the Mt. Fuji area.
JR East coin locker sizes & costs
(photo courtesy: JR East)
Also, if you stay at a hotel at the base of the mountain, you could
possibly leave your pack at the hotel during your climb. Another option
might be that, while climbing Fuji-san, some climbers have their
suitcases shipped to their next destination by "takkyubin" (local
ground transport service, like UPS in the states).
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: How
to Climb Mt. Fuji
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: 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.
Click thumbnails below to view detailed Mt. Fuji trail maps for
each of
its 4 climbing routes:
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:
My Google Map of Mt. Fuji
(富士山)
(zoom out to see all of the 25
highest
mountains in Japan)
The actual 3776m Mt. Fuji highpoint is one of 8 peaks around the
summit crater rim named Kengamine (剣ヶ峰).
(View 25 Highest
Mountains in Japan in a larger map.)
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.
Q: Is it
ok to climb Mt. Fuji (富士山)
with
children?
A: The minimum age for climbing Mt. Everest is 16 (from the Nepal side)
and the minimum age for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is 12.
Ok, Mt. Fuji (富士山) is
not THAT difficult, but let's be clear, it's also not a Sunday stroll
in the park. Having been climbing mountains since my Boy
Scout days and
having scaled all of the 25
highest mountains in Japan, 12 of the U.S. State
Highpoints (tallest peak in each state), and 12 of Colorado's 54 famous
"Fourteeners" (peaks higher than 14,000 feet (~4267 m)), I can honestly
say
climbing Mt. Fuji (富士山) was one of the more difficult hikes I've ever
taken
in my life.
The trail gets quite steep above the 9th station, involving
some moderate rock scrambling which requires giant steps, even for an
adult. And when it rains, the rocks can get very slippery. The winds
can get so strong, some hikers literally get blown off the trail, and
this risk of injury is obviously much greater with little munchkins.
When I climbed Mt. Fuji, I saw many kids, some appearing as young as 6
or 7, and who seemed to be part of some organized outing, like a school
or scout trip, etc. But many of them had frowny faces & were
obviously in a lot of pain, and some of them were even whining.
Because
of a million other reasons, including the very primitive
& scarce toilets, lightning risk, and the inherent dangers in
descending
Mt. Fuji including rock slides and the occasional dislodged boulder
tumbling down from above......in my humble opinion, I believe taking
young
kids up the highest mountain in Japan is a mistake.....unless of course
they are
already
experienced mountain hikers and in good physical condition. Therefore,
although some tour groups allow kids as young as 8 to climb Mt. Fuji,
I'd recommend a
minimum age of 10. That said, if taking children, the less crowded
weekdays are
probably best, and because of all the huts, resting points, emergency
aid stations, and other
services, the main Kawaguchiko Yoshida climbing trail would be the
preferred
route.
Q: Where
can I view some good videos
that encapsulate the true spirit and essence of climbing Mt. Fuji?
A: There are perhaps an uncountable number at YouTube, but these are 2
of my favorites:
An Aug. 20, 2012 ascent by Dr.
David Wallace
Don't miss his own electric viola as the background music.
(View @ YouTube here.)
An Aug.
10-11, 2010 climb of Mt. Fuji
(View @ YouTube here.)
Q: Where
can I eat,
sleep, and sightsee at the base of Mt. Fuji?
A: The area surrounding Mt. Fuji is one of most beautiful
parts of Japan and includes the Fuji Five Lakes region. One
of the most interesting things about Mt. Fuji I've ever heard
of while residing in Japan is what's known as "Diamond Fuji," a
phenomenon which occurs only from Oct. to Feb. when the sun sets into
or
rises out of Mt. Fuji's cone, setting off sunbeams that resemble a
glittering diamond.
The Diamond Fuji pic below was taken by a Tokyo friend of mine
from the shore of Lake Yamanakako, one of Fuji's 5 Lakes.
Diamond Fuji photo
taken Feb. 17, 2011 by Berndt
Otto
As an affiliate for Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel site,
below I've compiled a list of links to their site to assist you in
finding some good
spots to hang out at
the base of Mt. Fuji before or after your climb, whether it be a place
to
catch some shuteye, feed your tummy, or just a cool sightseeing spot or
onsen to
check out:
Fujikawaguchiko-machi
(FK)
&
Fujiyoshida (FY) areas
(serving the main Kawaguchiko Yoshida Trail)
Fujinomiya
area
(serving the Fujinomiya Trail
Gotemba
area (serving the Gotemba & Subashiri
Trails
Q: I'm
not confident in my own mountain climbing abilities. Can you recommend
a good local mountain climbing guide?
A: I suspect there are several, but here are 2 examples:
1)
Oops, the previous climbing tour posted here is finished for the
season, but here is a 1-day Mt. Fuji & Hakone guided bus tour run
by JTB: http://www.japanican.com/tours/tourdetail.aspx?tc=GMT01TYOOF880W
2) Fuji-yama Guides, featured in the July/Aug. issue of Reiho
Fuji,
offers a number of 2-day & 3-day Mt. Fuji tour
options, as well as some off-season Mt. Fuji tours: http://fujiyamaguides.com/english/
(added
July 10,
2012)
Q: I'm
not a mountain climber. Are
there guided Mt. Fuji tours I can
join?
A: From the comfort of an air-conditioned motorcoach, you can
enjoy not only the beautiful panoramic views from Mt. Fuji's 5th
Station, but there are 1-day & 2-day Mt. Fuji tours starting
from 11,000 yen (without lunch) that also take in the nearby Hakone hot
spring resort and include a pirate boat cruise on Hakone's
Lake Ashi. Two of the more popular Mt. Fuji bus tour services are Sunrise Tours & Japan
Gray Line.
Q: Are
there any races or trail runs up or around Mt. Fuji?
A: There are probably more, but I'm currently aware of these 3: Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji Mt.
Fuji Hill Climb Fuji Mountain Race 2013 Tour of Japan
cycling race (in Japanese) - The 11.4km Fuji-san Stage 4 runs from the
Fuji Azami Subashiri IC (interchange) to the Subashiri 5th Station. A
2012 race report is here.
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)
Please stop by again soon
Thank you very much for visiting this page, and if you by chance have
already had the pleasure of climbing Mt. Fuji, I hope you
will by all means take a few minutes to share your story below with
future climbers.
Please stop by again soon, as I intend to update this page with more
details in the future, as they become available.
By the way, if you're in the market for any outdoor gear,
including packs, tents, sleeping bags, jackets, etc., you may wish to check out my new
Great Outdoor Gear Deals page! There you will find access to some of the web's best
real-time deals on outdoor gear from a few of the best outdoor retailers in the industry.
All the retailers shown there offer free shipping, and if you decide to purchase, a portion of all proceeds directly benefit Garyjwolff.com, and help fund future site improvements. Thank you!
If you have any questions for me, please give me a shout below or by
clicking on the "Contact Me" link. And if you're planning to
climb
Japan's highest peak, I wish you my most heartfelt good luck !!
Cheers,
Gary
Have a Question or Story about Climbing Mt. Fuji?
Do you have a question or a story about climbing Mt. Fuji? Please pay it forward and share your climbing experience (along with up to 4 pics) with other visitors to this page still planning their Mt. Fuji hike!
Unlike social media sites like Facebook & Twitter where your post quickly gets pushed down off the page, your story here will be given a dedicated webpage and its own URL, giving others a chance to comment (see below other climbing Mt. Fuji stories submitted so far). And feel free to link your story back to your webpage, blog, or any other page of your choosing.
What Other Mt. Fuji Climbers Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other Mt. Fuji climbers...
What is the meaning of this Mt. Fuji sign?
I read through your Climbing Mt. Fuji guide page and was wondering if you had ever seen this? I climbed the mountain a few years ago and had a picture...
My Mt. Fuji Climbing Experience
I first climbed Mt. Fuji in July of 2000. I had just turned 40 back in May and this was my birthday present to myself. I attended the opening ceremony...
My 2012 climb on the Kawaguchiko and Gotemba Routes
Using the information from this site, and following the advice of many kind people, I made it to the summit of Fuji-san in mid-July 2012. I'm not an athlete,...
Can we take our baby up Mt. Fuji?
My family and I were planning on climbing Mount Fuji in a couple of weeks, and my wife had asked about taking our baby up the mountain. I've asked around,...
How do I get my walking stick home?
Hello, I will be hiking Mt. Fuji this summer and plan to get a walking stick like everyone else:) I was wondering how I should go about getting it home....
What's the slope of the Mt. Fuji Subashiri trail?
I wanna know the slope of the Mt. Fuji Subashiri trail because I heard it has the least steep slope. **** Reply: You've asked a great question, and...
Climbing Fujisan with AFS student Ryoji
When I was in high school, we took part in a program called the American Field Service (AFS), and twice, we had the privilege of hosting a foreign exchange...
Your Climbing Mt. Fuji FAQ page is excellent
Hello Gary. This is John. Thank you so much for your kind comments on my Fuji video and thanks for putting on your site! I feel honored! Your Fuji FAQ...
Climbing Mt. Fuji
Two weeks ago on July 26, 2009, four friends and I finally mounted Mt. Fuji. It may be the highest peak in Japan but reaching the summit is not as impressive...
Report From Mt. Fuji, July 2010
My climb took place overnight, beginning around 10 pm on July 10 and returning the next day at about 1 pm, a journey up and back of about 15 hours. Joining...
I'm no fool!
I climbed Mt. Fuji because I didn't want to violate the age-old Japanese proverb & become a fool for not climbing Mt. Fuji. :-) There were 2 things I...
Aug. 13, 14, 2011 Mt. Fuji climb
Your Climbing Mt. Fuji FAQ site was invaluable in preparing for my climb, Gary, thanks! My first ever climb up Mt. Fuji was August 13, 14, 2011. There...
I climbed Mt. Fuji on 09/28/10
My friend Yu and I drove to the 5th station and started our ascent around 7:30am. The wind at that time was very strong and the rain was coming down in...
Sunrise from the Top of Mt. Fuji
Beautiful Mt. Fuji in Japan is one of our favorite places to visit. Enjoy the awesome scenic beauty. The view from the summit of Mt. Fuji looks awesome,...
Over 250,000 climbers scale Mt. Fuji in 2010
Not rated yet
More than 250,000 people--a record high--have climbed Mt. Fuji by the trail on the mountain's Yamanashi Prefecture side this season, according to the Mt....
May Fuji Climb
Not rated yet
Hi Gary, I hiked from Fujiyoshida to Stage 5 just to snoop around a bit. Want to go from the park entrance to the summit and take 3 days to enjoy it....
Is the Yoshida forest trail hikeable?
Not rated yet
I genuinely would like to walk through the forest at the base of Mt.Fuji. In your opinion, is the trail from the very base of Mt.Fuji to the fifth station...
Waiting for the sunrise overnight
Not rated yet
Hello, one thing I have not been able to figure out, is whether it is viable to make it to the summit for sunset, and wait (not camp - as I understand...
Is there lodging at the top of Mt. Fuji?
Not rated yet
Mr. Wolff, I am impressed with your website. I am planning the trip of a lifetime with my two teenage boys. I wanted to climb Mt. Fuji during the day,...
Can I purchase a Mt. Fuji climbing stick outside of Japan?
Not rated yet
Is there any place other than Japan (online?) to purchase a Fuji stick? With or without stamps. I am trying to find a replacement Fuji Stick for my brother....
Is it safe to climb Fuji-san alone?
Not rated yet
I am planning to climb Fuji-san on the 1st week of July, 2012. Is is safe to climb Fuji-san alone? Also, can I wear my sneakers which are not waterproof?...
Why was it so hard for you?
Not rated yet
I have a couple of questions: 1) I'm curious what made this particular hike so hard for you...was it the lack of oxygen (no vegetation to produce O2)?...
When will Mt. Fuji's trails open this summer?
Not rated yet
Hi Gary. I wrote you last summer about my Mt. Fuji experience, and I am thinking about climbing again this year. Do you know where I can find information...
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