Is there any way to climb Mt. Fuji in the week before the 7/1 opening of the season?

by Hannah
(United States)

Hi, I found your website on r/JapanTravel. My group of 4 plus I will be in Japan from June 19-July 1, 2023 (my husband and I will be there for 2 weeks prior to the group). We had planned to climb Mt. Fuji on June 23-24 until I realized today that the climbing season begins in July.

Is there any way to climb in the off season? I saw on one website that if you sign a climbing form with the prefecture police you are free to go, but it’s not advised because of the weather.

And I saw on another website that it’s allowed, but you need a local guide. Do you know if either of those are true? Also if so do you recommend a specific guide?

If not, I know there’s still things to do around Fuji and it seems worth it to view it up close, but I’d love to summit it if I can. Thanks in advance!