Every year, thousands of hikers make the grueling trek for a view unlike any other atop Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji. The season usually runs from July through early September, as this is when Fuji’s snowcap melts and the conditions are ideal for the trek.

The highest peak in Japan with an altitude of 3,776 meters (12,388 feet), Mt. Fuji was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 and attracts domestic and international tourists by the masses. In 2019, about 236,000 people climbed to its peak, according to data from the Ministry of the Environment.

Fuji is a beautiful mountain and a challenge to climb for sure, but it can also be dangerous if you are ill-prepared. In fact, every year there are many climbers who need to be rescued due to altitude sickness or injuries.

If you’re planning to climb Mt. Fuji, there are a couple of options on where to start, including Subashiri, Gotemba and Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture. However, if you plan to climb from the Yoshida Trail from the Yamanashi Prefecture side, there are a couple of things to know beforehand.

Climbing in Yamanashi Prefecture

This year, in order to limit the number of climbers, reduce congestion and accidents on the trails, the prefecture has erected a gate at the Fifth Station of the Yoshida Trail and set a daily limit for the number of climbers allowed to pass through.

According to Yamanashi Prefecture officials, the number of daily climbers starts counting at midnight and when it reaches 4,000, the gate will close for the day. The gate closes daily from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m., but only climbers with an overnight mountain hut reservation can still pass through.

In addition, climbers must pay 2,000-yen admission and an optional extra 1,000-yen donation for environmental preservation.

Reservations for gate admission and payment can be made online.

If you want to enjoy the sunrise on the top of Mt. Fuji, you must stay overnight at one of the 16 mountain huts.

If you are not spending the night, a spokesman for the Fujisan Conservation and Tourism Ecosystem Promotion Division in Yamanashi, recommends climbers start their trek at 8 a.m. Reaching the summit takes about six hours and the descent is about four hours, meaning an average climber can conquer Mt. Fuji in about 10 hours, according to the official. Avoiding weekends and the Obon holiday period in Mid-August is also recommended.

Be prepared for Fuji conditions

So now that you’re ready to deal with the bureaucratic side of climbing this famous peak, you should prepare for the physical and weather conditions you’ll experience.

Yosuke Tsuji, a graphic designer at Stars and Stripes and avid outdoorsman who has trekked Fuji four times, recommends good hiking boots, a wind breaker and down jacket. Tsuji said the weather can get pretty chilly as you start the climb to the summit.

In his most recent climb in August 2023, Tsuji started at the Yoshida Route at 5 a.m. and reached the top at noon, taking several breaks along the way.

“Much different from other mountains, the air on the top of Fuji is extremely thin and it often makes you sick or causes headaches,” Tsuji warned.

Even experienced climbers can experience altitude sickness, so prepare for that with the small oxygen cans available at the shops at the Fifth Station.

Tsuji also cautioned about the strength of the sun on climbers, even on a cloudy day, and recommends applying sunblock and reapplying often throughout the climb. Tsuji suggested a hat or cap, and long sleeves to protect your skin.

Good preparations are indispensable, but climbing Mt. Fuji is fun, Tsuji said. The hiking aficionado encouraged climbers to also make time to enjoy a walk around the crater rim at the top.

“[Walking the trail around the top of Fuji] will take you an extra hour or so, but it is rewarding,” Tsuji said. “The walk lets you enjoy the magnificent figure of Fuji even closer.”

There is still more than a month before the Fuji climbing season opens, so make sure you’re prepared to do so safely!

Mt. Fuji climbing period

- Yoshida Route (in Yamanashi Prefecture): July 1 – Sept. 10

- Subashiri Route, Gotemba Route and Fujinomiya Route (in Shizuoka Prefecture): July 10 – Sept. 10

The three roads that approach the mountain’s fifth station – Fuji Skyline (8 miles), Fujikoentarobo-line (1 mile) and Fuji Azami-line (7.2 miles) are open and available.

Safety tips for climbing Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji World Heritage Department, Yamanashi Prefectural Office

URL: https://fujisan-climb.jp/en/index.html

Information for climbers on the day: https://twitter.com/official_mtfuji

Tel.: 055-223-1315 (available in both Japanese and English)

E-mail: fujisan-hz@pref.yamanashi.lg.jp

Reservation and admission payment : https://fujisan-climb.jp/en/for-every-climber.html

Mountain huts : https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/itineraries/mountain-huts.html

Camp Fuji

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