16 Things to Know Before Climbing Mount Fuji

If climbing Mount Fuji is in your Japan bucket list then there are certain things you must know and follow. Mt. Fuji is an amazing Japanese mountain that could give you endless joy; on the other hand it may also ruin your entire hiking trip.

Before climbing the mountain, I suggest you some important travel tips, as a result, you safely reach to its summit and enjoy the sunrise and do the other things. Always remember that only advanced preparations and arrangements can lead you to climb its summit successfully.

Viewing Mount Fuji out of a bullet train (Shinkansen) window will be an unforgettable experience for you but when it comes to climbing it by yourself, you definitely need at least some basic climbing skills and useful hiking accessories.

I know it sounds great to plan a trip to climb the mountain, though we all have to prepare for the worst. In fact, you have to be careful all the time from setting off your journey towards the summit to descending.

However, don’t worry at all; I am here to guide you on how easily one can prepare a trip to climb this iconic mountain. Please follow my instructions here in this article, if you don’t bother.

1) Find As Much As Useful Information You Can

You have to climb 3776 meters! It is certainly a long way that even could ruin your entire hiking trip. So, how do you get prepared for taking up the challenge?

First of all, I suggest you search for as many as information you could get from the information centers at the foot of the mountain as well as at certain trail heads.

To get some prior information, you should visit several websites and read recommended Mount Fuji Hiking Guide Books that provide you useful information on climbing Mount Fuji. Here you can read a personal experience of a hiker who once had climbed Mount Fuji.

2) Do I Need a Map of Mount Fuji Trails?

Map is an important accessory for a traveler. It shows the right path to reach to the exact destination we want to reach toward.

I believe while climbing Mt. Fuji, you don’t need a map though if you want then you can get a free English brochure from the Tourists Information Centers in Tokyo and Kawaguchiko. There will be many hikers like you, so you will not get lost!

3) How Much Do I Have to Pay for Admission Fee?

As a hiker, you have to pay 1000 yen as for admission fee. This amount of money will be used for protecting the Mount Fuji environment and for hikers’ safety & protection.

Your money won’t be wasted, rather it is kind of an insurance policy where future hikers like you would be benefited from.

4) What Do you Know About the Official Climbing Season?

When you start reading few articles on climbing Mount Fuji, you surly would know its official climbing season. This is the most important thing! Here I want to inform this to you once again if you have not noticed yet.

The official climbing season starts from early July to early September. Don’t even dream of climbing this majestic mountain during the off season, things will turn out to be very bad then.

5) Weather Encounter

Indeed, weather can be one of your main concerns before climbing Mt. Fuji. You are advised not to ascend the mountain in the winter season. Usually, climbers climb Mount Fuji in the summer.

In the afternoon, weather becomes unstable, it is hard to predict what’s going to be. Do you know that, the average temperature at the summit is between 5 Degree Celsius and 8 Degree Celsius! Check out today’s Mount Fuji weather.

6) Number of Trails for Climbing Mount Fuji

What is the best trails to reach the summit of Mount Fuji?

There are 4 (four) trails/routes that you could choose from while ascending and descending Mount Fuji, they are: Yoshida Trail (Yellow Color), Subashiri Trail (Red Color), Gotemba Trail (Green Color), Fujinomiya Trail (Blue Color).

Among them Gotemba is the longest trail. Yoshida trail is the best one I could recommend because it has most of the huts where one can stay at night then set off for climbing the summit.

On the other hand Fujinomiya trail is the most popular trail for the beginners. Though, there is no special route for descending, so the way you ascend, on the same way you will have to descend.

The remaining two trails are for experienced hikers. Take note most of the climbers start their expedition from the 5th station of each trail.

Have you already chosen your trail to reach the summit of Mount Fuji? You have to choose the right trail based on your Hiking Skill Level!

7) Avoid The Crowds

How could you avoid the crowds during official climbing season? Especially, it becomes full of crowds during the Obon Week (An annual Japanese Holidays).

Therefore, in order to avoid the crowds, you have to stay away from this place on the Obon week, usually observed from August 13^th to August 16^th.

At the time, many hikers arrive there, wishing to climb the mountain and you will see many long queues. In fact, there is exactly no best day to climb it within the official climbing season, but you have to careful of the Obon Week.

Holiday means being free from work, that’s for why many Japanese want to spend their time on hiking to see the majestic sunrise from the top of the summit of Mount Fuji.

8) Don’t Break the Law

Mount Fuji is the national icon of Japan. You can’t disrespect and pollute its unspoiled nature.

There are acts that are legally prohibited, such as, disturbing animals and plants, releasing pets, pitching a tent, making a fire, removing lava, bringing unnecessary things, throwing out trashes around, using vehicles except designated areas, taking away animal and plants and so on.

I also suggest you to keep the toilets clean every time you use them.

9) There’s No Need to Hurry

It is possible for you climb Mount Fuji in a day but being too much smart could be bad for your health and mind, as a result you will lose your energy, may be you get sick and feel very tired. Also every hiker is advised to avoid the afternoon season.

At this time of period, the weather becomes unstable, better stay from it. So, stay a night at the huts! I also want to suggest you to walk at a slow speed not very slow though. There is no rush, no one is chasing you, right! I want you safely ascend and descent the mountain.

10) You Must Stay at the Huts!

You should take a break at the huts. It will work as a medicine for regaining your energy. If you are not a professional hiker, then there is no choice except this option.

Again, if you choose to take Yoshida trail to climb Mt. Fuji, it will be easier for you to get huts to stay an overnight. In fact this is the only trail that offers many huts for the climbers to choose from.

Some huts will not allow you to stay there, if you arrive there at night. So, try to arrive there as early as possible, at least before the sunset.

You have to pay real cash, no credit card is accepted. For staying a night it will cost you more than 5000 yen per person without meal and with meal it would cost more than 7000 yen!

11) The Exact Time for Setting Off from the Huts

Most of the hikers’ main aim is to view the sunrise from the summit of Mount Fuji. To do so, you have to wake up very early in the morning.

Please note that in summer, sunrise takes place between 4:30am to 5:00am. So, you know when you have to set off to see the sunrise!

12) How to Avoid Mountain Sickness

One can feel sick during his/her ascending time. You may feel headache, vomiting, dizziness, lack of nausea and etc.

To avoid these unavoidable circumstances, you are suggested to drink water regularly, have some rests, walk slowly, and take deep breath. Except all these, I also recommend you to take one hour rest before you set off again.

13) Know the Emergency Call Number

I never wish you feel bad on the way to the summit but in case you do feel sick and if you think you really need other help then please make a call at these numbers 110 or 119. These are the rescue call numbers, so I suppose you don’t forget them.

You also could contact nearest mountain huts. Surly, you will be rescued by someone as quickly as possible time.

14) Do you need a Guide?

Are not you confident enough to climb Mount Fuji with your friends? If you are not, I suggest you not to be sad. You can get a trekking guide from the FMG (Fuji Mountain Guides). An experience trekking guide who can speak in English will take care of everything you need to climb the mountain!

There are also many tours that offer similar services. Just search on Google and you will see the result!

15) Get All the Useful Hiking Accessories

You need to have essential hiking gear before climbing Mount Fuji such as flashlight, trekking shoes, socks, walking sticks, waterproof jacket and trouser, hat, gloves, backpacks, trash bag, sunglasses, water & foods, first-aid kit and etc.

16) Off Season Hiking is Dangerous

Off season hiking is possible but you may not get huts to get some rest on the way to the summit. After the end of hiking season, usually huts get closed. Though, if you are a skilled hiker then you can take up this challenge. You will need to have some extra hiking equipments including enough water and foods.

From October to early June, the weather turns into like a devil – windy weather, and snow falls may not allow you to climb Mount Fuji. So, always be careful and check the weather forecast before you set off.

In conclusion

I am sure you want to share your Mount Fuji climbing experience with family and friends just like others. Make a good travel video from first to last until you reach to the top of the Mt. Fuji summit. To capture those memorable moments and experiences you have to depend on a camera or smartphone. Never ever leave it at the hut, carry it all the way to the summit! Take a lot of photographs of the beautiful surroundings and of course the magnificent sunrise.

I have tried my best to share the most important travel guides when it comes to climbing the Mt. Fuji. I was lucky to see the sunrise from the summit of Mt. Fuji. That is an unforgettable experience and I can’t express that in words.

The reason I wanted to share with you is that I have had bad experience before and heard other stories how badly they suffered. Mentioning you all these, I feel like you are not going to encounter any bad experience while ascending and descending Mt. Fuji. Wishing you Good Luck, stay safe, and Happy Hiking!