GUIDES
Here is some basic information that I would find useful if I was planing to climb Fuji for the first time. There are
other sites on the internet that are entirely dedicated to offering climbing information. I recommend a few site
with "official information from local governments and such below. Also books such as Hiking in Japan will tell
you about all you need to know to climb the mountain. Good luck and be safe!
Fuji Climbing Guide offered by the Shizouka Prefecture
City of Fujiyoshida home page with plenty of travel and climbing info including telephone numbers to the
mountain huts.
TIMING
Timing is everything in climbing Fuji. You have got to leave at the right time of day at the right time of year at a
time when the weather is perfect. I climbed the mountain in mid September just after the official close of the
season and I would recommend this time if and only if you are an experienced hiker. It was cold at night but I
took a warm sleeping bag and stayed at the Hinode Kan hut at the seventh station so I was set. It was really
cold waiting for the sun to rise at the summit but again I was prepared with a down jacket, hat, gloves, and my
warm sleeping bag.
WEATHER
I encourage you to wait for that perfect day to go for the summit. The weather on the mountain is treacherous.
You are well above tree line and there is no easy escape or shelter from wind, cold and lightning. Besides the
safety concerns, if your fogged in, you might as well go climb a sand dune.
Check the forecast on the links page by going to the Japan Meterological Society's home page.
If the weather is not cooperating, do some lower elevation hikes around the 5th station or head down to the
five lakes area and see some of the attractions there. There are lakes, amusement parks, breweries,
museums, hot springs, caves, and all sorts of hiking. Check out my page on the Mt Fuji region
Before and After
There are a host of options for lodging in the Fuji region from campgrounds and family owned inns to huge
luxury hotels and hot spring resorts. If you have time the best way to rest weary bones is to go to a hot spring.
Fuji Hakone Guesthouse English speaking staff and a real hot spring on the cheap. This is especially handy to
the Gotemba climbing route.
On the Mountain
Staying the night at a mountain hut is a pleasant experience and will allow you a good rest before making that
final summit push at 3 AM in the morning. The route is divided into 10 stations (most people drive to the 5th
station then start climbing) and there are groups of huts located around each station. The huts offer various
services ranging from offering a place to rest and a meal to offering lodging and a meal. You can also take
advantage of lodging with no meal for a slight discount. I'd go ahead and order the meal. There is nothing like
a nice hot bowl of Curry and rice to encourage the weary climbe.r
Most of the mountain huts have a very short season so make sure you call in advance to make sure the hut
you choose will be open and have space.
HINODE KAN
I've included a link to this mountain hut because they have a web presence in English. Keep in mind that
this is one of many huts. I'd recommend reservations but if you take my advice and avoid the busiest of the
summer climbing season then you may even be able to walk in to most huts.
Bivouack
Some people chose to start their climb in the afternoon and climb all through the night, arriving at the summit
just before sunrise. If you choose this option, make sure you have warm clothes and try to time your arrival at
the summit as close to sunrise as possible otherwise you'll freeze your butt off! Bring a bivy sack or a sleeping
bag and plenty of warm clothes for the wait or plan on moving around until the sun comes up.
There are three types of sunrise on Mt Fuji.
1) Holy #$%&
2) Stunning, Awe inspiring, well worth the climb.
3)Is it up yet? I can't say this enough. Don't climb the mountain if the weather's bad. At best you'll have a lousy
experience climbing a big huge pile of wet sand that looks just like the sky. At the worst, you could die.
Waiting for the sun to rise can be miserable if you arrive too early and are unprepared. The trick is to be
prepared and set up a nice cozy nest to wait for the illuminating moment. Do be careful not to let your gear
blow away as you will never see it again.
Food and water for the duration of the hike. For most people this is 2 days worth.
headlamp with extra batteries
warm clothing including hat and gloves
good rain gear (designed with hiking in mind) check out Montbell on the links page
The 99 yen poncho will simply blow away.
hiking map from a book store or outdoor store
also look for free English maps that may be available at the 5th station information center
If you are in Japan and need advice on purchasing gear or would like the address of a good gear store near
you feel free to contact me
Basically You will have to take a combination of trains and buses.
From Narita
Go to Tokyo Station and take the bus or a train from there
From Tokyo
There are a lot of options for getting to Fuji. Taking a direct bus to the 5th station is the most economical
way but you can also take the train to
From Hakone
From Izu
From Shizouka
From Kyoto
Near the bottom
Near the middle
Getting there.
There
Morning shadow
The route up
Map coming soon
Travel JAPAN!
Climbing Fuji
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Bring
How to get there
Lodging
Sunrise
Panorama of the summit crater.
