The Best Time to Climb Mt. Fuji 2023

As the highest mountain in Japan and one of the most sacred sites in the country, Mt. Fuji holds profound cultural and historical significance for both locals and visitors alike. Its majestic scene as a must-visit travel destination lies not only in the breathtaking views and vibrant shops at the 5th station but also in the unbeatable spirit of those who want to reach its summit and check it off their bucket list.

If you consider yourself among these fearless adventurers, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will equip you with essential tips and tricks to ensure a smooth and successful climb to the peak of Mt. Fuji. So, whether you’re a seasoned trekker or a first-time climber, join us as we share with you the necessary information to not only survive but thrive during this extraordinary journey.

Choosing the best trail

For starters, there are four ways for you to reach Mt. Fuji’s summit. Depending on your level of skill and confidence, you may choose one of the following trails:

• Yoshida Trail

Known as the most popular and relatively easiest route to Mt. Fuji’s summit, this trail offers several mountain huts, where you can take a short rest and book to stay for a few hours. This is recommended to those who want to take a two-day trip to catch the glorious sunrise.

From Fuji-Subaru Line 5th station, the ascent to Mt. Fuji’s summit is six hours while the descent is four hours. This trail has a zigzag path on the way to the 7th station and becomes rocky from there until the 9th station. It also becomes crowded at the 8th station because the trail merges with Subashiri Trail.

• Subashiri Trail

This trail features the highest tree line among all the 4 trails heading to Mt. Fuji’s summit, which protects hikers from the heat of the sun. It is also considered the second easiest trail to be accessed by public transportation because of the daily bus trips that it offers during the climbing season.

Subashiri 5th Station, which is the starting point for hikers trailing Subashiri, is far less developed than Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station which is frequently visited by tourists for its several shops and restaurants. In fact, this trail is limited to a parking lot, toilets and two small shops and restaurants.

This trail has gentle slopes and is considered to be less crowded until the 8th station where it merges with Yoshida Trail.

• Gotemba Trail

Regarded as the least developed among the four trails, Gotemba Trail is recommended to hikers who want a more relaxed space and with less crowd. On the way up, you will see shrub-like plants scattered around each station. It also has a gentle slope of volcanic gravel leading up to the 8th station.

The ascent to the summit will start from Gotemba 5th station, which is 1,450m above sea level. Because it is the lowest elevation among the other trails, it becomes the longest trail to reach the summit. As a result, some perceive it as the most difficult trail to reach the summit.

• Fujinomiya Trail

This trail is considered the second most popular and second most developed next to Yoshida Trail. Since the starting point of this trail departs from the highest altitude among the other trails, its distance to the summit is short. Hence, you can expect to reach the summit within five to six hours of hiking. However, hikers are advised to prepare proper equipment as the trail is steep and rocky.

Fujinomiya Trail has multiple mountain huts in each station so hikers can take a short or long rest whenever they please. It is important to note that because the trail for ascent and descent are the same, it is expected that it will become crowded, especially at the peak of the climbing season.

What to prepare

Whether you are planning to take the easiest trail or the hardest trail, be sure to prepare the right equipment so you won’t experience any inconvenience on your way to the summit.

Here is the equipment that we advise you to prepare:

Where to stay

Here is the list of mountain huts that you can reserve if you are planning to stay overnight to watch the sunrise:

Yoshida Trail	Hinodekan http://www10.plala.or.jp/hinodekan/hinodekan.html
	Nanagome Tomoekan https://tomoekan.com/
	Fujiichikan http://www.mfi.or.jp/fujiichikan/english/
	Taishikan http://www.mfi.or.jp/taisikan/
Fujinomiya Trail	Goraikosanso http://www.goraikousansou.com/english
	Chojo Fujikan http://fujisanchou.com/guide-for-english/
Subashiri Trail	Goraikokan https://www.goraikoukan.jp/

How to get there

Traveling to one of these trails is accessible by car or by bus. Below is the information on how to get each of the trails:

For more information, please follow this link.

The best time to climb Mt. Fuji

The climbing season for Mt. Fuji starts from early July until early September. During this time, Mt. Fuji’s weather is relatively mild and bearable, making it more suitable for beginners. There are also several transportation options available to reach the 5th Station. Lastly, mountain huts are still operational, providing hikers with a place to take a quick rest before continuing their ascent to Mt. Fuji’s summit.

Please note that the exact date and time varies for each trail, so we recommend that you check this website before heading to Mt. Fuji.

Have you already decided on which trail to take? We would love to hear your thoughts!

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