FAQ Mt. Fuji climb

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Mt. Fuji FAQ

This page covers a range of frequently asked questions, split up into four categories, Mt. Fuji Tour, Mountain Huts, Climbing Mt. Fuji and Climbing Mt. Fuji off season. Many of your questions regarding our tours, the climb or your mountain hut logistics will be answered here. Take some time to navigate through this page and if you've still got questions, feel free to contact us.

Mt. Fuji Tour

The below frequently asked questions are in reference to questions regarding our 2-day Mt. Fuji tour

Where does the tour leave from and how to I get there?

The tour departure location and time is listed in the itinerary page for each respective tour. Here are links to the 2 day Mt. Fuji tour itinerary and 2 day off season Mt. Fuji tour itinerary.
All Fuji tours depart in front of Tochomae Station (pronounced "Toe-cho-ma-é) on the Toei Oedo line. How do you get here? Check out our access page here which has very thorough directions on how to get to the meet up point. We'll meet right in front of the only ticket machines inside this station.

How do we book a two day Mt. Fuji tour?

Reservations for our two day tours can be made through our online booking engine and secure payment processor.
Book the Two Day Tour
Book the Off Season Two Day Tour

What happens if I show up to the meeting time late?

Our tours run on "Japan time". This means that we leave promptly at the published departure time. If you are late, the tour will leave without you and your reservation will be forfeited without refund. Please make your greatest effort to show up on time.

What level of fitness should I be in?

Visit our physical fitness guide page and come ready to tackle Mt. Fuji. We have provided a detailed program to help people prepare for their Mt. Fuji ascent.

Will I be able to store baggage anywhere before climbing Mt. Fuji?

Fuji Mountain Guides cannot store extra luggage for you. Options for luggage storage include, coin lockers at Shinjuku or Gotenba JR Stations, hotel baggage storage services, or sending by 'takkyubin' (postal service) to your next destination.

What sort of equipment will I need?

Good question. Check out our equipment lists for a complete guide on what to bring on your climb up Mt. Fuji.

Do you offer rental equipment?

We sure do. A full list of our rental equipment may be found here

How long does it take to get up and down Mt. Fuji?

On our in season 2 day tours the climb to the summit is spread out over two days. On day 1 we will hike about 6 km to our lodging for the night (3,400 meters) in about 6-7 hrs. From here to the summit on day 2, it is about a 1 1/2 hr. climb and the descent to the 5th station tends to be 3-4 hours. These are just approximations, as the time it takes to hike up and down Mt. Fuji varies from group to group.

What is the tour minimum and maximum group size?

Each and every tour, both in season and off season are operated at a minimum of one participant.

For our in season and off season two day tours, between late June and mid October, the guide to guest ratio is 1 to 10. Most tours are operated with 3-4 guides and 25+ participants.

Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag?

Bedding is provided by our mountain hut. Sleeping bags are lined up on top of futon mats, with an extra blanket available for when you get cold. Pillows are also provided, but most westerners find them hard and uncomfortable. Fill your stuff sack with some extra clothes and you've got yourself a makeshift pillow.

Where can I find a weather forecast?

Take a look at our weather forecast page to view a 5 day weather forecast on Mt. Fuji. A forecast for 3,014 and 3,776 meters is available, courtesy of snowforecast.com.

However, be aware that conditions on Mt. Fuji may change suddenly. Therefore at FMG we make it a priority to make sure our clients are prepared for cold weather, wind and rain. Check out our equipment lists for more information regarding proper wear on Mt. Fuji.

When is a good time to join a Mt. Fuji tour?

If you're looking to avoid the crowd's try climbing during the first three weeks of July or some time in September/October. Join our off season 2 day tour and you will find the trails as well as mountain hut to be almost completely deserted.

During Japanese school summer vacation, approximately July 20 thru the end of August, Mt. Fuji takes on an extra amount of pedestrian traffic. Especially avoid weekend's and the 'Obon' period (the week of August 13) as most Japanese companies will give their workers vacation during this time.

Are there trash cans available?

Trash cans are not available on Mt. Fuji. Climbers are asked to use leave no trace methods of “pack it in, pack it out”, in an effort to maintain the natural beauty of Mt. Fuji. This is why we require everyone on our tour to bring a ziplock bag or something similar, for storing trash and packing it out.

Will there be restrooms

At each mountain hut there are public restrooms. Toilets on Mt. Fuji cost ¥200-¥300 per use. Please have coins handy for whenever you need to use the facilities. The exception is on our off season two day tours. During this period, all but one mountain hut will be closed and toilet facilities on the mountain other then our lodging, will not be available.

How much money should I bring? Are credit cards accepted?

FMG tours include all transportation and lodging costs plus two hot meals (Dinner day 1/Breakfast day 2). Lunch is also provided on day 1 of the Off Season 2-day Mt. Fuji tour.

On our In Season Tour, you will need to provide for yourself 2 lunches, as well as snacks for the climb. If you wish to buy this on the mountain, the average cost for lunch is around ¥1000. We recommend you buy snacks before hand as prices are extremely inflated once on Mt. Fuji.

If you are only planning to spend money on lunch then ¥3000 will be sufficient. If you wish to also buy souvenirs it would be wise to bring at least ¥5000. You must bring cash, as mountain huts on Fuji do not accept credit card.

Will we be able to get a walking stick branded along the way?

Each particular trail on Mt. Fuji sells the traditional walking sticks and at almost every hut, branding is operated. Typically the price for one branding is ¥200. Note that the summit mountain huts are open between mid July and the end of August, and the summit branding is only available during this time.

Do you offer pick up and drop off in the Mt. Fuji area?

On our in season and off season two day tours, we offer the option of starting and ending our Mt. Fuji tours at Gotenba Station. Depending on your tour, the pick up and drop off time will vary. For more information, including pictures of the pick up spot, visit our Gotemba Station pick up page. You can also see how a Gotemba pick up fits in with the itinerary by clicking on either the two day tour itinerary or off season tour itinerary.

What is the fastest route to Kyoto from Mt. Fuji?

The fastest route to Kyoto from Mt. Fuji, is via Gotenba train station. Gotenba train station is best accessed from the Subashiri, Fujinomiya and the Gotenba trails. From Gotenba, travel by train to Mishima station, from where the shinkansen departs for Kyoto. If descending the Yoshida trail to Subaru line 5th station, the best option is to travel to Shinjuku by highway bus and connect to the bullet train from Tokyo or Shinagawa station.

What is the tour cancellation policy?

Read up on our full terms of agreement including our cancellation policy for the Two Day Mt. Fuji Tour and Off Season two day Mt. Fuji Tour.

Do you provide guiding services during the off season?

Yes we provide guiding during the month of September and October, all weather permitting. See our Off season 2 day Mt. Fuji tour for more information.

Mountain Hut

The below frequently asked questions are in reference to questions regarding Mt. Fuji mountain huts

Does FMG assist in making mountain hut reservations?

In cooperation with the Fujiyoshida City Hall FMG now takes online reservations for several mountain huts on the Yoshida an Subashiri trail. For more information on this, please visit our mountain hut reservations page. Please note, mountain hut reservations will start the beginning of April for each prospective season.

Will FMG arrange mountain hut reservations at any mountain hut on Mt. Fuji?

Currently we only provide reservation services for select mountain huts. If looking to stay elsewhere on Mt. Fuji, here is a list of mountain huts compiled by the Japan National Tourism Organization

Will I need a reservation to stay at a mountain hut?

It is definitely recommended that you make a reservation at a mountain hut, if you intend to spend the night on Mt. Fuji. Price range is usually between ¥6,000-¥10,000 depending on whether your stay lies on a weekday or weekend, or if you choose to have dinner/breakfast included. Making a mountain hut reservation can sometimes be difficult, based on the language barrier, as well as a lack of information on mountain huts online. Mountain hut reservations can be made in English here.

The reservation page says that my preferred date is fully booked. Are there other options?

Mountain hut booking services on our website are for the following huts:

While other huts are available on Mt. Fuji, Fuji Mountain Guides does not offer a booking service for these huts. The Japan Travel website may be able to help if you are looking for alternatives.

Is it possible to request a private room?

Private rooms are not available through our reservation system. Sleeping quarters are determined by the mountain hut staff.

Which trail is Fujisan Hotel located on?

The Fujisan Hotel can be accessed by both the Yoshida and Subashiri trail's and is located at the 8th station, just under Tomoekan and one station below Goraiko-kan.

Where is Taishikan mountain hut located?

Taishikan mountain hut is located on the Yoshida trail at 3,100 meters one below Haraikan and one above Toyokan mountain huts. Note that there are multiple 8th stations on the Yoshida trail as both Fujisan Hotel and Taishikan are considered 8th stations but are 300 meters apart from each other.

Are vegetarian meal options available?

At all of the mountain huts booked through Fuji Mountain Guides, vegetarian meals are available. Vegetarian meals must be requested in advanced and an option to do so is provided during the reservation process.

Are there certain rules/etiquette specific to Mt. Fuji mountain huts?

Absolutely. 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.

Take the time to review the information on Mountain Hut Etiquette before you head out on your climb up Mt. Fuji.

What time is breakfast served?

In typical fashion of the mountain huts on Mt. Fuji, breakfast comes in the form of a lunch box and is handed out following dinner. Inside tends to be rice and or sandwich and sometimes comes with a bottle of water. If intending to watch the sunrise from the summit, it is most common for this packed breakfast to be eaten at the summit or somewhere along the trail to the summit.

Climbing Mt. Fuji

The below frequently asked questions are in reference to general Mt. Fuji climbing related questions

When is a good time to climb Mt. Fuji?

Mt. Fuji is best climbed between late June and the middle of October, if you are looking to avoid any snow on the trails. If you want to avoid the crowd's try climbing during the first three weeks of July or some time in September/October. Join our off season 2 day tour and you will find the trails as well as mountain hut to be almost completely deserted.

During Japanese school's summer vacation, approximately July 20 thru the end of August, Mt. Fuji takes on an extra amount of pedestrian traffic. Especially avoid weekend's and the the 'Obon' period, August 13-16 2015, as most Japanese companies will give their workers vacation during this time.

What is the official climbing season for Mt. Fuji?

The official climbing season is said to be from July 1st - August 31st but is subject to change depending on the weather conditions. Usually this means that the season starts a little after the first week of July. Most mountain huts are only open during this time, although on the Yoshida trail you will find that most huts are open through to the first week of September. FMG provides guiding services to the summit of Mt. Fuji, June thru October. If you wish to climb outside of the official climbing season, see our 2 day off season Mt. Fuji tour.

How many trails are there on Mt. Fuji?

There are four different trails leading up to the summit of Mt. Fuji, each starting from its own separate 5th station. The Subashiri, Fujinomiya and Gotenba trails are on the Shizuoka side of Mt. Fuji with the Yoshida trail being on the Yamanashi side. Very often you will hear just the words, 'Mt. Fuji 5th station', without a specific trail defined. This can be confusing, seeing as there is more than one 5th station on Mt. Fuji. Please be aware that, 'Mt. Fuji 5th station', is primarily used in reference to the Kawaguchi-ko 5th station. The Kawaguchi-ko 5th station is the largest, most developed 5th station on Mt. Fuji and is connected to the Yoshida trail. Fuji Mountain Guides conducts its tours on the Subashiri trail, while some times descending using the Yoshida trail.

How difficult is the climb?

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.

Is going up or coming down Mt. Fuji more difficult?

This probably sounds like a silly question; maybe you might think this is a no brainer, that the ascent is obviously more difficult then the descent. Wrong! The correct answer is - ascending and descending Mt. Fuji are equally tiring. The climb up Fuji is steep from start to finish, on average being a 35-40 degree angled slope. It is very important to keep in mind that the summit is merely the half way point of your climb - you've got to get back down. Save enough energy for the descent which is surprisingly long and requires a significant amount of energy and leg strength.

On a typical day, what is the temperature at the 5th station and the temperature at the summit? (July/August)

This will depend highly on the time of day, whether it's sunny, cloudy or rainy, but typically you can expect summer conditions at the 5th station and winter conditions at the summit. Although on a beautiful blue sky, sunny, absolutely no winds day it might be possible to climb from the 5th station to the summit in shorts and a t-shirt, this is the exception and not the rule. It would be extremely foolish to climb without the proper warm weather and waterproof rain gear, in case of bad weather rolling in and especially so when planning the ascent at night.

Take a look at our Mt. Fuji weather page to see a 5 day weather forecast on Mt. Fuji and be aware that conditions on Mt. Fuji may change suddenly. Be sure to come prepared for summer heat, winter cold, wind and rain. Check out our equipment lists for more info regarding proper wear on Mt. Fuji

What are the prospects for a clear or rain-free day?

Weather patterns are different every year, for each month and each day. There is no way to tell months in advance, when the most favorable weather for climbing Mt. Fuji will be. Typically June thru the middle of July tends to be the rainy season in Japan, but in some years August will receive more rain on Mt. Fuji then July. September is also traditionally known to be typhoon season in Japan. Again though, some years July, August or October have received more typhoons then September.

Take a look at our Mt. Fuji weather page to see a 5 day weather forecast on Mt. Fuji and be aware that conditions on Mt. Fuji may change suddenly. Be sure to come prepared for summer heat, winter cold, wind and rain. Check out our equipment lists for more info regarding proper wear on Mt. Fuji

Climbing Mt. Fuji Off Season

The below frequently asked questions are in reference to climbing Mt. Fuji in the off season

When is considered off season on Mt. Fuji?

Off season climbing is in reference to the period of time during which almost all mountain huts on Mt. Fuji have stopped operating. This period usually extends from mid September through to late June.

Is off season climbing on Mt. Fuji allowed?

Contrary to popular belief, climbing Mt. Fuji outside of the months of July and August is permitted. Upon reaching a Fuji trailhead in the off-season however, one will encounter signposts that say that the trail is closed. These signs are an indirect way of saying, "climb Mt. Fuji at your own risk". It is best to note that the risk of climbing Fuji in the off-season increases substantially as compared to climbing during the official season.

Between late October and the middle of June, off season climbing requires the knowledge and use of winter climbing skills and techniques. Especially between November and April, the winds and ice on Mt. Fuji can make for an extremely difficult climb and should not be attempted by novice climbers.

What sort of conditions can I expect to see on Mt. Fuji during the off season?

Since the 'off season' on Mt. Fuji, takes up the majority of the year, conditions will vary from month to month. Typically 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 to 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 risk of avalanches still exist and crampons/ice axes are necessary for a safe climb.

Do I need a permit to climb Mt. Fuji during the off season?

Permits are not required but it is requested by the prefecture police department, that a climbing form is filled out and submitted in case of an emergency. This is especially true for those attempting a climb between November thru April.

Off Season 2 Day Tour

Sep 9 - Oct 15, 2019

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 8, 2019

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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