Price hikes, capped limits: get ready to climb Japan’s star attraction, Mount Fuji

Every year, thousands of hikers undertake a grueling trek to see a unique view atop Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji. The season generally runs from July to early September, as this is when the Fuji snow cap melts and conditions are ideal for trekking.

The highest peak in Japan with an elevation of 3,367 meters (12,388 feet), Mount Fuji was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 and attracts many domestic and international tourists. In 2019, around 236,000 people reached its peak, according to data from the Ministry of the Environment.

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

If you’re considering climbing Mount Fuji, there are several options to start, including Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture. However, if you are planning to climb from the Yoshida Trail from Yamanashi Prefecture, there are a few things to know beforehand.

Climbing in Yamanashi Prefecture

This year, in order to limit the number of climbers and reduce traffic jams and accidents on the trails, the prefecture erected a gate at the fifth station of the Yoshida Trail and set a daily limit on the number of climbers allowed to pass.

According to Yamanashi Prefecture officials, the number of daily climbers begins at midnight and when it reaches 4,000, the gate closes for the day. The gate closes every day from 4:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., but only mountaineers who have booked a night in a mountain refuge can still pass through.

Additionally, climbers must pay an entrance fee of 2,000 yen and an optional additional donation of 1,000 yen for environmental preservation.

Reservations for gate entry and payment can be made online.

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

If you’re not staying overnight, a spokesperson for the Fujisan Tourism Ecosystem Conservation and Promotion Division in Yamanashi recommends climbers start their hike at 8 a.m. Reaching the summit takes about six hours and the descent takes about four hours, meaning an average climber can conquer Mount Fuji in about 10 hours, according to the official. It is also recommended to avoid weekends and the Obon holiday period in mid-August.

Be prepared for Fuji conditions

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

Yosuke Tsuji, a graphic designer at Stars and Stripes and an avid outdoorsman who has hiked Fuji four times, recommends good hiking shoes, a windbreaker and a down jacket. Tsuji said the weather can get quite cold when you begin the climb to the summit.

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

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

Even experienced climbers can suffer from altitude sickness, so prepare for this with the small oxygen bombs available from the shops at Fifth Station.

Tsuji also warns of the sun’s force on climbers, even on cloudy days, and recommends applying sunscreen and reapplying it often throughout the climb. Tsuji suggested a hat or cap and long sleeves to protect your skin.

Good preparation is essential, but climbing Mount Fuji is fun, Tsuji said. The hiking enthusiast encouraged climbers to also take time to walk around the crater rim at the summit.

“(Hiking the trail around Fuji’s peak) will take you about an extra hour, but it’s rewarding,” Tsuji said. “The walk allows you to appreciate the magnificent figure of Fuji even closer.”

There’s still over a month until Fuji’s climbing season opens, so make sure you’re prepared to do it safely!

Mount Fuji Climbing Period

– Yoshida Route (in Yamanashi Prefecture): July 1 to September 10

– Subashiri Route, Gotemba Route and Fujinomiya Route (in Shizuoka Prefecture): July 10 to September 10

The three routes 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 Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji World Heritage Department, Yamanashi Prefectural Office

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

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

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

Email: [email protected]

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

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