| Mt.Fuji (or Fuji-san) is the highest mountain
in Japan at 3,776m
peak and located approximately
100 kms south-west
of Tokyo. The official
climbing season is
July and August, only
2 months which is
the season all huts are
opened and mountain
climibing buses also
run. Detailed information
can be read (only
in Japanese language)
at Fuji Kyuko Bus . Lazy to climb but would like to capture
the great view, this page has information. More information can be
referred at this one and the other one. |
 |
|
| FAQ : Can I climb and come back within one
day from Tokyo? Is
it possible to do the
summit if I departed
early in the morning
(hotel/ryokan based
in Tokyo)? Yes, you can.
Detailed answer is
at the bottom of this
page. |
|
There are officially four routes for climbing
Mt Fuji, making it possible to all range
of people at any age. The record is said
to be 101 years old (or some says 105 years
old or even 108 years old). Interested in
naming on the Guiness Book? In fact, more
than 300,000 people attempting the climb
every year.
Seems easy task, but there are matters which
require attention, please. Without noticing
the risk of death, mountain sickness is something
which affects some people due to the high
altitude even at 3,000m range above sea level,
in which case it is strongly advised to descend
immediately. Indeed, July and August is summer
in cities and towns at the bottom of Mt.Fuji,
but even this time (even day time) is normally
less than 5 degrees Centigrade at the summit,
plus strong gust, therefore appropriate and
adequate protection against the cold and
the wind (as well as rain and fog) is necessary.
On certain other days, the day time temperatures
can also get very hot, so enough drinking
water is must. You know mountain is bit different
from beach, therefore, bad weather, strong
winds and lightning can be very dangerous,
not to mention falling rocks, sunburn, cold,
heart failure and other accidents which have
led to fatal circumstances.
Type of accommodation on the routes are sort
of huts which normally charge about 7000
yen. Usually one person occupy one tatami
which is about 1.6 square meters! approximately
90cm x 180cm. Closer to the summit, the scenery
can be somewhat heaven (if you remember the
one between your previous life and this time)
when the weather is fine, when your body
condition is fine.
Shops on the summit open from about 3.30
a.m. in July and August but may close during
the last few days of the season. Sunrise
is generally between 4.30 and 5.00 a.m.,
when many shout the Japanese phrase "Banzai",
a word of celebration and hope for longevity
(and thank what led you to be your own self). |
|
| Officially 4 Routes (with color of Red, Pink, Green and Blue) |
|
| The crater has a diameter of approximately
800 meters, and the circle route of the rim
is about 3km which might take 1 hr 30 min.
The top of the top (the summit, the peak)
is at south west of the circuit, apparently,
Fujinomiyaguchi route is the closest reach,
but it is totally the other way if you reached
from Yoshidaguchi or Subashiriguchi. Clockwise
is so called "right way" to walk
which is perhaps related to religious act,
moving forward while your right shoulder
is facing the center object. This pilgrimage
is called Ohachi Meguri in Japanese language. Post Office at the south of the ring is open from mid
July to mid August. Why not send a love letter
from Mt.Fuji. |
|
 |
|
| Yoshidaguchi Trail (Kawaguchiko-guchi Trail) |
| Start Point |
Fuji Subaru Line 5th station's (Altitude
: 2,305m) |
| Mountain Hut |
7th |
Hanagoya (2,700m, 150 people)
Hinodekan (2,710m, 150 people)
7th Tomoekan (2,740m, 250 people)
Kamaiwakan (2,790m, 200 people, emergency center)
Fujiichikan (2,820m, 250 people, re-built in 2010)
Toriiso (2,870m, 250 people)
Toyokan (2,900m, 320 people, many groups of bus
tour) |
| 8th |
Taishikan (3,050m, 360 people, hato bus tour stay
here)
Horaikan (3,100m, 200 people)
Haku-un-so (3,200m, 300 people)
Gansomuro (3,250m, 300 people, SMAP slept here on
TV show)
Fujisan Hotel (3,350m, 550 people, Hotel like, reality
just a hut)
8th Tomoekan (3,370m, 200 people, open until mid September)
Goraikoukan (3,450m, 120 people, last hut, the highest
hut of the trail）
|
| Pros： |
Many huts for anytime rest.
Sun rise could be seen even without reaching
to the summit.
Public transportation access is better than
other route.
Horse rides available from 5th to 7th. |
| Cons: |
During peak season, it would be heavily congested,
literally nose to butt, especially after
8th to the top. Much longer walk length compare
to other routes. |
| Note: |
Beginning is even and flat like which may
acceralate your foot step, but please hold
your engine, otherwise, you'll be getting
headache from high altitude sickness. Let's
start slow with breathing deep. |
| Length |
15.1km (up 7.5km, down 7.6km) |
Average Time
（no incl rest） |
up : 5 hrs 30 min
down : 3 hrs |
|
|
| Access from Tokyo |
Direct bus to the 5th station is available
from Shinjuku West Exit Kosoku Bus Terminal.
JPY2,600 one way one adult. 3 buses in the
morning (for day climber), another 3 buses
in the afternoon (for night climber). Reservation is highly recommended (up to
1 month ahead). This is not JR Bus.
Shinjuku => 5th station : JPY2,600 and
2 hrs 30 min
Train is not really recommended, but if you
had JR Pass already somehow and would like
to make most of it, please take JR Chuo Line
from Tokyo or Shinjuku, get off at Otsuki
to transfer Fujikyu Line all the way to the
last stop called Kawaguchiko station (or
middle station called Fujisan, formerly known
as Fuji-Yoshida). This train is not JR therefore
extra JPY1,110 or JPY990 respectively is
needed for one way one adult for JR Pass
holder/s. Without JR Pass, it is JPY2,560
(JPY1,450 for JR local train + JPY1,110 for
Fujikyu Line) or JPY2,440 (JPY1,450 for JR
local train + JPY990 for Fujikyu Line). Limited
Express needs extra JPY900 - JPY1,610 depending
on which day you ride (JR Pass holder/s can
ride without surcharge). Then, mountain bus
from Kawaguchiko station (or Fujisan station)
to the 5th station which is JPY1,500 and
just 1 hour ride from whichever station.
Without JR Pass via Fujisan station : Tokyo/Shinjuku
=> Otsuki => Fujisan => 5th station
: JPY3,940 + limited express fare if needed
Without JR Pass via Kawaguchiko station
: Tokyo/Shinjuku => Otsuki => Kawaguchiko
=> 5th station : JPYJPY4,060 + limited
express fare if needed
With JR Pass : Tokyo/Shinjuku => Otsuki => Fujisan
=> 5th station : JPY990 + limited express
fare if needed on Fujikyu Line (JPY300) +
JPY1,500
With JR Pass : Tokyo/Shinjuku => Otsuki => Fujisan
=> 5th station : JPY990 (local train on
Fujikyu Line) + JPY1,500
With JR Pass : Tokyo/Shinjuku => Otsuki => Kawaguchiko =>
5th station : JPY1,110 + limited express
fare if needed on Fujikyu Line (JPY300) +
JPY1,500
With JR Pass : Tokyo/Shinjuku => Otsuki => Kawaguchiko =>
5th station : JPY1,110 (local train on Fujikyu
Line) + JPY1,500 |
|
| The cheapest way to the top! |
|
| You can start climbing actually from 1st
station called UmaGaeshi (literally translated
as Horse Return). Every hour has bus service
from Fujisan station (Fujikyu Railway) from
10:00 to 14:00 (at top of the clock), it
takes 30 min from Fujisan station to Uma-Gaeshi,
costs JPY490 one way one adult. Ready for
the longest walking journey starts from the
1st station to the 10th (top of the Yoshidaguchi
route), which is about 9 - 10 hours ascend.
This page and this as well have the whole route map. You may consider
staying over-night at the 5th station for
easier task. |
|
| Gotembaguchi Trail |
| Start Point |
Gotembaguchi 5th station's (Altitude
: 1,440m) |
| Mountain Hut |
5th |
Fujikyugoya Half Mountain (1,440m, this
is where Fujikyu Bus arrives/departs
Ooishichaya
(1,520m, 50
people) |
| 7th |
Hinodekan (3,040m, 150 people)
Warajikan (3,090m, 80 people, many times
not in management)
Sunabashirikan (3,110m, 150m, relay point
for Fuji-san-Marathon) |
| 8th |
Akaiwa Hachigokan (3,300m, 150 people, unlimited refill
of curry rice for dinner) |
| Top |
Ginmeikan (3,720m) |
| Pros： |
You can make it your one step as 3 meters
when you are descending. Sand Running is
famous competetion in early August every
year. Long jump or running broad jump with
great view in front of view is the unique
attraction on this route.
Less people
compare to other routes. |
| Cons: |
Biggest height difference from the 5th station
to the top, about 2,300m, which may give
you more chance of high altitude sickness.
There are only few mountain huts on this
route. |
| Note: |
There is no hut at all between Ooishichaya(1550m）and
Hinodekan（3000m）, therefore, watch out
for the quantity of water. Some old maps
would mention that there are 6th hut and
8th hut which are no longer exsist.
|
| Length |
19.5km (up 11.0km, down 8.5km) |
Average Time
（no incl rest） |
up : 7 hrs 30 min
down : 3 hrs |
|
|
| Access from Tokyo |
There is no direct bus to the 5th station
from downtown Tokyo. You must transfer at
Gotenba station. To reach to Gotenba, the
easiest way is to take Odakyu Line from Shinjuku.
Note that there are only 3 trains a day directly
bound for Gotenba from Shinjuku (otherwise,
you may need to change at Shin-Matsuda or
Matsuda station). Also note that it is JR
line from Matsuda to Gotenba.
With JR Pass : Shinjuku => Shin-Matsuda
(Matsuda) => Gotenba : JPY1,420 (this
is the fare and limited express fee for Odakyu
Line, you do not need to pay JR part)
Without JR Pass : Shinjuku => Shin-Matsuda
(Matsuda) => Gotenba : JPY2,720 all included
with Limited Express Asagiri
For those easy access
from/to Tokyo main
station (Shinkansen
station), there is no
Odakyu but JR only
as follows.
With JR Pass : Tokyo => Kouzu => Gotenba
: JPY 0 (zero yen since all covered by JR
Pass) and 2 hrs 10 min
Without JR Pass :
Tokyo => Kouzu =>
Gotenba : JPY1,890
one way one adult
There is a bus from Gotenba to the 5th station
called Gotenbaguchi Shin-Gogome. It is JPY1,080 one way one adult, runs
almost every hour from 8AM to 4PM throughout
summer.
|
|
| Subashiriguchi Trail |
| Start Point |
Subashiriguchi ;5th station's (Altitude
: 2,000m) |
| Mountain Hut |
5th |
Sansou Kikuya (1,970m, 70 people, Ryokan style hut, his
imperial highness of of Japanese royal famiy
visited this place for his first Mt.Fuji)
Higashi Fujisansou (1,970m, 50 people, Kinoko tea or fungus
tea is well served)
Yoshinoya (2,230m, only for rest not for
over night stay, only on descending route)
|
| 6th |
Osada Sansou (2,420m, 25 people)
Setokan (2,620m, 120 people, toilet is bio
treated) |
| 7th |
Taiyokan (2,920m, 150 people, best meal on
any route of Mt.Fuji. White dog is still
alive? Open until mid October.)
Miharashikan (3,140m, 120 people)
|
| 8th |
Edoya (3,270m, 250 people, his imperial highness
stayed)
Munatsuki Edoya (3,370m, 250 people, edoya's sister hut)
|
| Top |
Yamaguchiya (3,720m, 250 people, geographically
this is located
on the side of Shizuoka,
not Yamanashi)
Oogiya (3,720m, 120 people)
Tokyoya (3,720m, not for over night stay
but rest only) |
| Pros： |
No congestion up to 8th station.
Some woodland,
through little forest, good
for eyes.
Suna-Bashiri (literally sand-running) is
fun for descending. |
| Cons: |
You have to start from 2,000m (a bit lower
compare to another 5th station of another
routes)
Crowded from 8th station to the top. |
| Note: |
When you are descending, please make sure
which route
you'd go further at the turning
point of Edoya
Hut. Most people go down towards
to Yoshida
(via Yoshidaguchi route). If you
were aiming
to Subashiri, please do not follow
the majority.
Be careful becoming dehydrated, especially
before entering into Suna-Bashiri (Sand-Running).
Please double your quantity of water. |
| Length |
14.0km (up 7.8km, down 6.2km) |
Average Time
（no incl rest） |
up : 5 hrs 30 min
down : 3 hrs |
|
|
| Access from Tokyo |
There is no direct bus to the 5th station
from downtown Tokyo. You must transfer at
either Gotenba station (JR) or Shin-Matsuda
station (Odakyu Line). To reach to Gotenba,
the easiest way is to take Odakyu Line from
Shinjuku. Note that there are only 3 trains
a day directly bound for Gotenba from Shinjuku
(otherwise, you may need to change at Shin-Matsuda
or Matsuda station). Also note that Shin-Matsuda
(Odakyu Line) and Matsuda (JR) is nearby
each other. it is JR line from Matsuda to
Gotenba.
With JR Pass : Shinjuku => Shin-Matsuda
(Matsuda) => Gotenba : JPY1,420 (this
is the fare and limited express fee for Odakyu
Line, you do not need to pay JR part)
Without JR Pass : Shinjuku => Shin-Matsuda
(Matsuda) => Gotenba : JPY2,720 all included
with Limited Express Asagiri
With or Without JR Pass : Shinjuku =>
Shin-Matsuda : JPY750 on Odakyu Line, 1 hr
and 20 min by express. Limited Express Romance
Car does not stop this station.
For those easy access from/to Tokyo main
station (Shinkansen station), there is no
Odakyu but JR only as follows.
With JR Pass : Tokyo => Kouzu => Gotenba
: JPY 0 (zero yen since all covered by JR
Pass) and 2 hrs 10 min
With JR Pass : Tokyo => Kouzu => Matsuda
: JPY 0 (zero yen since all covered by JR
Pass) and 1 hr 40 min
Without JR Pass : Tokyo => Kouzu =>
Gotenba : JPY1,890 one way one adult
Without JR Pass : Tokyo => Kouzu =>
Matsuda : JPY1,450 one way one adult
There is a bus from Gotenba to the 5th station
called Subashiriguchi Gogome. It is JPY1,500 one way one adult, takes
an hour.
There is a bus from Shin-Matsuda to the 5th
station called Subashiriguchi Gogome. It is JPY2,000 one way one adult, takes
an hour and half.
|
|
| Fujinomiyaguchi Trail |
| Start Point |
Fujinomiyaguchi 5th station's (Altitude
: 2,400m) |
| Mountain Hut |
5th |
Fujisan Omoteguchi Shin-Gogoume (2,400m,
60 people) |
| 6th |
Unkaisou (2,490m, 100 people)
Houeizansou (2,490m, 100 people) |
| 7th |
Goraikou Sansou (2,795m, 180 people)
Sanguchi Sansou (3,030m, 200 people |
| 8th |
Ikedakan (3,220m, 300 people, emergency center) |
| 9th |
Man-nen Yukiyamasou (3,410m, 300 people)
Munatsuki Sansou
(3,550m, 170
people) |
| Top |
Chojo Fujikan (3,740m, 300 people) |
| Pros： |
Shortest of the routes since the starting
point of the route is already at 2,400m high.
Huts are located
in equal distance, in equal
interval.
Ocen (Suruga
wan, or bay of Suruga) view
is available
throughout the way!
Easy access from Nagoya and Osaka as well
as Tokyo because bus connects both of Shinkansen
stations called Shin-Fuji and Mishima. |
| Cons: |
Less chance to see sunrise because you are
walking behind the mountain (in related to
the direction of sunrise). Tend to be crowded
because ascending route and descending route
are the same way.
Rocky surface rather than soft sanded trail,
so please take good care on your ankle.
Parking lot is heavily congested, no recommend
for private cars during weekends. |
| Note: |
Shortest route means that slope is at steep
angle, so if you were feeling tired, why
not walk zig-zag with small step each. No
hurry, just one by one, step by step, you'll
be there, which is like life. Steep trail
has risk of falling rocks, please do not
play football or soccer!
|
| Info: |
It is worth to pee at the high tech toilet
which cost
200 million yen! which is right
after the starting
(5th station). You might
be dissapointed
by the road sign saying OLD
7th station
as you might have thought it
were 8th station
next to your passing NEW
7th station.
Not expect too much, but just
walk and walk
and walk :)
Many couples
have marriage celemory at base
camp shrine
called Sengen Taisha as well
as at the deep
end shrine called Sengen Taisha
Okumiya.
Next to the end of the route, there is a
post office open only summer time (from July
10th to August 22nd, 6AM to 2PM). Would you
like to send the marriage invitation card
from this post office one year before your
actual marriage? |
| Length |
10km (up 5.0km, down 5.0km) |
Average Time
（no incl rest） |
up : 5 hrs
down : 2 hrs 30 min |
|
|
| Access from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka |
This route has the benefit of Shinkansen
connection at both Shin-Fuji and Mishima.
Shin-Fuji has only Kodama (the slowest Shinkansen)
available. Mishima has 6 - 7 Hikari stops
everyday. For JR Central (JR Tokai) information,
please visit their official Shinkansen home page. Time table is also available at Hyper-Dia.
From either station,
there is a bus service
to Fujinimiyaguchi
5th station.
Mishima has 15 minutes past every 2 hours (10:15,
12:15, 14:15, 16:15,
18:15). It cost JPY2,390
and takes 2 hours.
Shin-Fuji has almost every hour schedule from 08:30
to 17:45. It cost JPY2,310 and takes 1.5
hrs - 2 hrs depending on which pick-up station
they would drive via.
|
|
FAQ : Can I climb and come back within one
day from Tokyo? Is
it possible to do
the
summit if I departed
early in the morning
(hotel/ryokan based
in Tokyo)? Yes, you
can.
And here's the time
table.
Shinjuku West Exit
Kosoku (Highway)
Bus Terminal
07:45AM => 10:10AM
5th station of Mt.Fuji
You have 9 hours 20 minutes or 9 hours 50 minutes to conqure the top of Japan!
5th station of Mt.Fuji
19:30 => 21:55
Shinjuku West Exit
Kosoku (Highway) Bus Terminal
5th station of Mt.Fuji
20:00 => 20:55
Kawaguchiko (3 options
below to downtown
Tokyo)
5th station of Mt.Fuji 21:20 => 22:15
Kawaguchiko (you can not make it to downtown Tokyo in
same day)
5th station of Mt.Fuji
22:20 => 23:15
Kawaguchiko (you
can not make it to downtown
Tokyo in same day)
Kawaguchiko 20:10
=> 21:55 Shinjuku West
Exit Kosoku (Highway)
Bus Terminal
Kawaguchiko 20:38
=> (transfer 2
times)
=> 23:31 JR Shinjuku
Kawaguchiko 21:10
=> (transfer 2
times)
=> 00:00 (12:00
mid night) JR Shinjuku |
|
| Too hot to climb? Why not cool yourself down
in ice cave at Fuketsu and Hyoketsu ? Even summer has ice, actually this is
the ice stock for Edo people for the Edo
period. |
|
