Climb Mt. Fuji

Climbing Mount Fuji

Depending on the trail one chooses to ascend Mt. Fuji, the climb can take between 5-10 hours. The majority of climbers will begin from the Subaru Line 5th station which is on average a 5-6 hour climb to the summit. The average time, does not usually take into consideration break periods at mountain huts along the way and is by no means a time which reflects a relaxed pace to the summit.

If time is not of the essence, spreading the climb out over two days is highly recommended. Climbing at a calm and steady pace helps climbers avoid altitude sickness and allows for a much more enjoyable climb. See our 2-day Mt. Fuji tours for more information.

The descent of Mt. Fuji is typically between 3 and 4 hours. Although descending Mt. Fuji is twice as fast as climbing up, it is also considered by many to be be twice as difficult. The trail leading down is made up of loose rock and pebbles and is a hazard for slipping and falling flat on your back or face forward. Your leg muscles will be put to the test as the steep slopes of Fuji, create a rather uncomfortable momentum. It is always helpful to remember when climbing a mountain, that in reaching the summit, the climb is only half complete.

Trails

There are 4 main trails leading up to the summit of Mt. Fuji, the Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Subashiri and Gotemba trails.

Each trail consists of a 5th station, at which point cars may no longer advance. The largest, most well known 5th station on Mt. Fuji is the Subaru line 5th station (AKA Kawaguchiko 5th station). As the road leading to this 5th station is open almost all year round and is well accessed from Tokyo, most climbers will choose to begin their climb from here. Don't be mistaken though, in that there is more than one 5th station and more than one way up/down Mt. Fuji. At Fuji Mountain Guides, we choose to mingle with the locals, steer away from the crowds and climb at our own pace, using the Subashiri trail.

There are also separate ascending and descending trails for the Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Subashiri and Gotemba trails. Every year, climbers, typically foreigners, will find themselves on the opposite side of the mountain from where they started off. It is especially imperative to be attentive to your surroundings on the descent, as it is a fair distance from one 5th station to another.

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Mountain Huts

To be blunt, accommodation on Mt. Fuji is quite primitive, to say the least. Do not expect hotel or even hostel conditions. The mountain huts are all quite similar, in that your sleeping quarters are in a large dormitory style room, usually bunk bed style with futon and blankets/sleeping bags provided. Some huts provide heat, other huts generate enough body heat to keep you plenty toasty. If you don't wish to sleep shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other climbers, avoid climbing on the weekend and the week of Obon (second week of August). In an attempt to avoid extremely crowded conditions, FMG will schedule its 2 day tours strictly on weekdays and tours are not conducted the week of obon.

Mountain huts on Fuji are a unique cultural experience but come with their own set of implied etiquette which foreigners can stomp all over unknowingly if they're not careful. Familiarize yourself with the following mountain hut etiquette on Mt. Fuji before embarking on your Mt. Fuji climb.

Difficulty Level

Do not believe the blogs that say Mt. Fuji is an easy climb. Make no mistake; at 3776m/12,388ft the climb up Mt. Fuji is characterized by serious elevation gain, rapidly changing extreme weather, steep inclines, and long switchbacks.

This is not a climb that you want to attempt without proper conditioning and physical preparation. While it is true that some people climb Mt. Fuji in sneakers, jeans, and a sweatshirt, they are taking serious personal risks that should never be replicated. Despite weather forecasts, the weather on Mt. Fuji can never be predicted 50% of the time. This means that unexpected thunderstorms, rain downpours, snow storms, hails storms, etc. are common and should be properly prepared for with proper equipment.

Although it may be common to see young children and older adults climbing Mt. Fuji, you need to remember that those old people on the mountain have been doing this their whole life and those young kids are generally the exception and not the rule. But do not be frightened; with proper gear and proper physical conditioning, Mt. Fuji is an exciting and challenging climb worthy of its place in the book, "100 Things to do Before You Die".

Weather and Altitude

Mt. Fuji will experience serious alpine variable weather. Even during the middle of the summer when temperatures in Tokyo reach 40c/100f, the summit of Mt. Fuji can very well be below freezing with a biting wind. Wind-chill taken into account, the summit often feels like -10c/15f in the predawn darkness.

Suffice to say, Mt. Fuji is serious alpine terrain and is not to be underestimated. At 3,776m (12,388ft) the oxygen on the summit has two-thirds the density of normal oxygen at sea level which can cause altitude sickness or AMS.

In order to avoid altitude sickness FMG sets a slow, steady pace to help you acclimatize and enjoy your climb more. Due to the exposed nature of this volcanic mountain, Fuji's weather can be extremely temperamental; in extreme conditions high gusts have been known to knock people to the ground and hail has been known to reach a diameter of one centimeter.

Combination rain-wind is also a doosy as the high winds can cause the rain to slash sideways and pelt the climbers. Once again, if you have the proper gear and you are climbing with an experienced guide, this kind of extreme weather is an exciting experience that is enjoyable. But remember--if you have any medical conditions that may put you at risk or impede your performance at high altitude or in cold conditions please consult a physician before considering an ascent of Mt. Fuji.

Have a look at the current Mt. Fuji weather forecast.

Off Season Climbing

The climbing 'season' on Mt. Fuji, during the months of July/August, refers to the period in which mountain huts are in operation. In recent years, many mountain huts will stay open through mid September. Fuji Mountain Guides operates tours to the summit of Mt. Fuji through mid October or until the first big snowfall, whichever comes first. For more details see our Off season 2 day Mt. Fuji tour page.

The risk of climbing Mt Fuji in the off-season increases in comparison to climbing during the official season. In season climbing (July/August) is relatively safe with a multitude of emergency evacuation vehicles as well as rescue personnel readily available in the event of an emergency. This, along with the many mountain huts in operation, minimizes the risk of climbing Mt. Fuji in July/August, assuming each climber comes prepared physically and with the proper equipment. In contrast, from mid September on, most mountain huts will close, rescue personnel will not be readily available and thus help is further away in the event of an emergency.

Winter conditions on Mt. Fuji begin usually late November and last through to late March/mid April, depending on the year. During these months Mt. Fuji is a serious climb, which should only be undertaken by experienced climbers. The wind conditions near the summit of Mt. Fuji in winter time, are known to be similar to the same wind conditions on peaks over 8000 meters. The surface turns into ice, like that of a frozen waterfall, hard enough that your ice axe and crampons can't dig in. Temperatures in late Feb will be around -20 to -30 degrees celsius with a wind chill of -50 degrees celsius.

From late April through late June, there will still be snow on the trails leading up to the summit of Mt. Fuji. The risks of avalanches still exist and the use of crampons/ice axes are necessary for a safe climb.

For those attempting a climb outside of the climbing season, especially during the winter or spring months, the prefecture police department requests that the climbing form (attached below) is filled out and submitted in case of an emergency.

off_season_climbing_form.pdf
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What to bring

Check out our physical fitness guide for preparing to climb Mt. Fuji

Physical Fitness Guide
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Check out our equipment list and come prepared to climb Mt. Fuji

View our 2-day Mt. Fuji tour equipment list here

Off Season 2 Day Fuji Tour

Sep 11 - Oct 10

Enjoy a more relaxed hike. Avoid the crowds and summit Mt. Fuji during the day instead of just before dawn. All transportation fees, lodging, and three hot meals included.

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In Season 2 Day Fuji Tour

June 25 - Sep 10

Our most popular summer offering. This trip will give you ample time to reach the summit for sunrise. Round trip transportation from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, two meals, and mountain hut included.

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