Mount Fuji

The highest mountain in Japan, Mt.Fuji is 3776-meter high. Mt.Fuji, which had been a sacred mountain, appeared the present form about 10,000 years ago. More than 200,000 people climb to the top of Mt.Fuji in a year. 30% of them is foreigners. Now, Mt.fuji is a mountain which the people from the world can be friendly.

The most popular period for people to hike up Mt. Fuji is from 1 July to 27 August, while huts and other facilities are operating. Buses to the fifth station start running on 1 July.

There are four major routes from the fifth station to the summit with an additional four routes from the foot of the mountain. The major routes from the fifth station are (clockwise) the Kawaguchiko, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya routes. The routes from the foot of the mountain are the Shojiko, Yoshida, Suyama, and Murayama routes. The stations on different routes are at different sea levels. The highest fifth station is located at Fujinomiya, followed by Kawaguchi, Subashiri, and Gotemba.

Even though it is only the second highest fifth station, the Kawaguchiko route is the most popular route because of its large parking area and many and large mountain huts where a climber can rest or stay. During the summer season, most Mount Fuji climbing tour buses arrive there. The next popular is the Fujinomiya route which has the highest fifth station, followed by Subashiri and Gotemba.

The easiest way to view Mount Fuji is from the train on a trip along the Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Osaka. If you take the shinkansen from Tokyo in direction of Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka, the best view of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from around Shin-Fuji Station on the right hand side of the train, about 40 to 45 minutes after leaving Tokyo.

Mount.Fuji

Mountaintop

Seasons for Mountain Climbing

July 1st to August 31th
The weather is stable,and there is no snow at the mountaintop. Many mountain huts are open,so most Japanese climb in this season. However,depending on the year,the mountain trail may be partly closed in early July,because of snow near the summit.

Late July to mid August
The weather is especially stable,so a crowd of climbers appear every year. However,there may be a regulation on cars in mid August.Restrictions may be seen in some roads. In that case,use a near by parking area and take a shuttle bus.

Late August
The weather becomes unstable.

Before June and after September
There may be snow at the mountaintop.The weather is too unstable for climbing,and the mountain huts are mostly closed. Equipment for winter climbing is necessary.Also,a planned script for climbing must be submitted. June is rainy season,and in September,taifoon may arrive.