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Guide to Climbing Mt Fuji
Japan TravelEssential info on climbing Japan's largest mountain, Mt Fuji. Know what to expect, things you need and when to go.
Mount Fuji
At 3,776 meters above sea level, Mount Fuji or Fujisan is the highest and most famous mountain in Japan. It is located on the main island of Honshu on the borders of the Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures and, when the weather is clear, is even visible from Tokyo. It has been since 2013 part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
In 2024, there are some changes to hiking Mount Fuji. Trailheads will be closed to day hikers from 4pm (until 3am) and reservation documents (for a mountain hut) will be needed for any climbs starting after 4pm. This is to prevent speedy 'bullet climbs' that has seen hikers taking insufficient rest or caution. Furthermore, the Yoshida Trail has introduced a mandatory 2,000 yen entry fee and 4,000 daily hiker limit. Online reservation allows booking from 3,000 daily slots in advance, but 1,000 slots will also be available for same-day visits. The hiking fee also applies to anyone descending the Yoshida Trail (payable at the 6th station), if ascending via another route.
Notice
The Mount Fuji trails officially open from July 1st (Yoshida Trail) and July 10th (others) and remain open until September 10th. Check the official site for the latest climbing status and any weather advisories. Read our Mount Fuji guide to learn about the changes to hiking Mount Fuji since the summer of 2024.
Mount Fuji is a stratovolcano on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is classified as active, but with a low risk of eruption. Its last known eruption was in 1707 and lasted about two weeks. At the northern foot of the mountain are the five Fuji lakes.
In Shinto, Mount Fuji has been sacred for centuries and around it are more than 1,300 so-called Sengen shrines. The mountain also plays an important role in Buddhism, because in the so-called Shugendo, climbing a mountain is viewed as an expression of faith. Due to the strikingly symmetrical volcanic cone, Fuji is widely regarded as the most beautiful mountain in the world and is often viewed as a symbol of Japan. At the same time, it is a popular subject in Japanese art and can be found, among other things, in the famous woodblock prints by the artist Hokusai. Fuji is also the subject of many poems in literature.
Four hiking routes lead from different starting points to the summit of Mount Fuji: Yoshida Route, Subashiri Route, Gotemba Route and Fujinomiya Route. Climbing Mount Fuji is only permitted during the summer months from mid-July to mid-September; the routes and mountain huts are officially closed out of season.
Overview
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Kitayama, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka 418-0112 (Map) (Directions)Hours
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Highlights
Yoshida Trail
The Yoshida Trail is the most popular route, and is the only trail that originates in Yamanashi Prefecture at an elevation of around 2300 meters. The trail’s starting point is known as the Fuji Subaru Line 5th station. Higher up the mountain, the Yoshida Trail offers the largest concentration of huts between the 7th and 8th stations.
Since the summer of 2024, a mandatory 2,000 yen entry fee and 4,000 daily hiker limit has been introduced. An online reservation system allows booking from 3,000 daily slots in advance, but 1,000 slots will be still available for same-day visits. The hiking fee also applies to anyone descending the Yoshida Trail (payable at the 6th station), if ascending via another route.
Subashiri Trail
The Subashiri Trail begins on the eastern side of Mt Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, and its 5th station sits at a slightly lower elevation of 2000 meters. The Subashiri trail actually joins up with the Yoshida trail around the 8th station.
Gotemba Trail
The Gotemba Trail begins on the southeastern side of the mountain, in Shizuoka Prefecture. With the 5th station here sitting only at 1400 meters above sea level, a hike to the summit from this starting point takes the longest of all the routes.
Fujinomiya Trail
The Fujinomiya Trail is the southernmost of the four trails and the most accessible starting point for travelers coming from western Japan. With a starting elevation of 2400 meters above sea level, this is the shortest of the trails to the summit but the only one that offers zero visibility of a morning sunrise, until the final arrival at the mountain’s peak. About a half dozen huts are located along the route.
What's unique
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- 100 Famous Japanese Mountains
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