On July 1, Japan’s majestic Mount Fuji to open for climbing!

Every year, thousands make the grueling hike for a view unlike any other atop Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji. In 2020, this feat was one of many casualties of COVID-19, and for the first time in modern history, authorities closed access to Mt. Fuji’s four trails during the hiking season.

Since last year, however, climbing has been back! The season usually runs from July through the first week of September as this is when Fuji’s snowcap melts and the conditions are ideal for the trek.

Mt. Fuji was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 and every year attracts hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists. In 2019, about 236,000 people climbed to its peak, according to data from the Ministry of the Environment.

Officials of the surrounding prefectures are expected to announce the reopening as early as the end of June.

Expected mountain opening of Fuji (as of June 15)
- Yoshida Route (in Yamanashi Prefecture): July 1 – Sep 10
- Subashiri Route (in Shizuoka Prefecture): July 10 – Sep 10
- Gotemba Route (in Shizuoka Prefecture): July 10 – Sep 10
- Fujinomiya Route (in Shizuoka Prefecture): July 10 – Sep 10 

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

For more information, see the official website for Mt. Fuji climbing and The Complete Guide to Mt. Fuji.