How to climb Mt. Fuji

Quick list of questions I asked before climbing the Majestic Mt. Fuji. Hope you find it useful.

Mid afternoon in Mt. Fuji

Do I need to join a tour group?

No, I climbed Mt. Fuji alone and just made friends along the way.

Won't I get lost if I don't join a guided tour?

No, the Yoshida trail is well established and excellently marked. I took the Yoshida trail since this has the most people, which means lower chances of getting lost.

How many trails are there?

There are four, Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya. Each once has different characteristics and jump-off points. If it's your first time I highly suggest you take the Yoshida trail, especially if alone. More info on each trails here. 

Trail map on Yoshida jump-off

Is there an entrance fee?

No, despite the beauty of Mt. Fuji they don't charge you for climbing it. You may opt to donate ¥1,000 for its preservation and you get a badge. Note however that you need to pay ¥200 when using restrooms along the trail. These are maintained independently by mountain hut owners. 

Can I climb any time? 

Unfortunately no, official climbing season is only July til September each year for safety purposes as snow builds up at the summit.

Yoshida Trail  (Yamanashi pref side)：July 1 - September 14 

Subashiri Trail(Shizuoka pref side) ：July 10 - September 10 

Gotemba Trail (Shizuoka pref side) ：July 10 - September 10 

Fujinomiya Trail(Shizuoka pref side) ：July 10 - September 10 

If you decide to climb outside the official period, you'll be on your own without any first aid centers opened nor mountain huts to stay in. 

Do I need to stay in a mountain hut?

No, but I highly recommend you do, or at least stay in one for a while to get a drink/eat noodles to warm the body. If you opt not to make sure you bring appropriate warm clothing for the extremely cold weather at the top. 

I paid the price for being unprepared as my body was chilling like crazy. I ignorantly assumed that the cold will be tolerable since it was around 28C° to 31C° in Tokyo. When we got to the summit of Fuji it was around 4C° to 5C° with intense windchill that made the situation worse for me! 

This is probably nothing for some people, but I live in a tropical country where everyday is 28C° to 31C° with 90+% humidity. I hate Manila weather but during those hours I wished to teleport back when I was almost dying from the wrath of Mt. Fuji's chilly winds. 

How to book a mountain hut?

You can do it online but unfortunately most sites are in Japanese only. Have a Japanese friend do it for you, or ask the receptionist of the place you're staying at. This link should be useful. 

Do take note though the mountain huts are expensive! As you go higher prices get steeper. I recommend you take a mountain hut at the 8th or 9th station before heading for the sunrise. Anything lower is still pretty darn from away from the summit. Pain before pleasure!

Mountain hut at around 6th or 7th station

I hear it gets really crowded during Obon week? 

Depends on what crowded means to you. Some sections of the trail almost had no people congesting, while others had but the volume was not an ire and I felt it was part of the experience. It's also a good excuse to get more rest. 

5th station of Yoshida trail, this is where the mountain climber's bus will drop you off

It can get crowded like this, but most of the time there were only few people along the trail

Can you buy food and water on the trails?

Yes, from the mountain huts. But it will cost you an arm and a leg. Not really, but cost is around 3 to 4 times more. 

Was the sunrise worth it?

Yes off course, especially after feeling like frozen rib-eye steak for at least five hours. 

Photo doesn't do justice I'm sorry

Land of the rising sun

How long to get to the summit?

From the Yoshida fifth station to the summit it took me around 9 hours. That includes rest, making friends along the way, and enough photos and videos to tell of this epic climb.

I started around 2:30pm in the afternoon and got to the summit around 11:30pm. Too early! Yes I know!

Note: I got to the 5th station around 1pm but did not start the climb immediately to acclimatize myself and prevent altitude sickness. 

We're almost at the summit around 11pm. So dark and cold

Friends made along the way. Humongous Mt. Fuji crater behind. 

Do I need those infamous wooden walking sticks?

No, you're fine without them. But they serve as nice souvenirs. Note you have to pay each time you have them branded. I didn't get one because of course I'm a cheapskate and not too fond of carrying souvenirs as I had 3 other cities to visit after Tokyo. 

How do I get to Mt. Fuji?

For brevity, I have created a separate entry for this. Click here.