20 Essential Answers to Your Common Questions About Climbing Mount Fuji

It’s difficult to express in a single word, and it varies from person to person, but just being the highest mountain in Japan is appealing enough, I think. Once you climb it, you’ll understand its allure. I encourage you to reach the summit and share your excitement with others. In fact, many who climb it once become repeat climbers, returning to Mount Fuji every year.

Altitude sickness is a condition caused by thin air at high altitudes. It’s influenced by individual physical condition and health, with early symptoms including headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, and swelling of the limbs. If symptoms occur, it’s crucial not to push yourself. Resting may help, but if symptoms persist, you should descend, as only going to a place with higher oxygen concentration can fundamentally cure it. Prevention includes staying hydrated, moving slowly, and getting enough sleep. Thirst, rapid movement, sleep deprivation, and hangovers are enemies of mountain climbing. Oxygen cans and supplements might provide temporary relief but are not permanent solutions.

Some people confident in their abilities prefer to start from the base rather than the Fifth Station. However, the starting point is technically the “Zero Station,” not the First Station. For those who wish to start from the base, the Yoshida Trail is recommended. You can start from the Kanadorii gate in Fujiyoshida City or the Kitaguchi Hongu Sengen Shrine. You can drive to the area near the First Station, known as Uma Gaeshi, where parking is available.

Using the Yoshida or Subashiri trails and staying in mountain huts along the way seems to have a high success rate. The Fujinomiya route can be challenging for children due to its steepness. It’s difficult for children to stay awake at night, so planning to watch the sunrise from the summit may be challenging. Prioritize the child’s condition. Adults also tend to push themselves to reach the summit on their first climb. It’s advisable for guides to have prior experience climbing Mount Fuji.

Every year, there are inquiries about climbing with a toddler carried by the father. This is, of course, extremely dangerous. The risk is not just in rocky areas; many falls occur on gravel slopes. Falling backward with a toddler on your back and hitting their head is a frightening thought. Additionally, it can take several hours to reach a hospital if a child’s condition worsens on the mountain.

The larger the group, the higher the chance of someone suffering from altitude sickness. Decide in advance what to do in such situations. It’s crucial not to rush slower climbers.

Many people underestimate the time needed for climbing, resulting in descending in the dark. Don’t forget a small flashlight – even a cheap, small LED light for each person can be reassuring.

At the very least, inform family or friends of your itinerary. Officially, submitting a climbing plan is recommended. This can be done at police stations or through an online system like Compass, which allows registration via computer or smartphone. In off-season periods (especially when the difficulty is high due to snow), submitting a climbing plan is essential.

Climbing Mount Fuji when the upper parts are frozen and winds are strong is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted unless you are an expert in snow mountain climbing. The snow melt on Mount Fuji is late, and even in June, there can be a risk of slipping near the summit. Tourist climbs should be done in July and August.

Generally, reaching the summit via any trail is considered a successful climb, but you can also walk around the entire crater rim at the summit, known as Ohachimeguri. This route includes stops like the Mount Fuji Summit Asama Shrine Okumiya, the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office, and Ken-ga-mine (the highest point at 3,776 meters).

On the Yoshida trail, which has the most mountain huts, toilets are available in the huts and, during the summer climbing season, several portable toilets are also set up. However, no toilets are available above the 8th station from July 1st to 9th. The next available ones might be 4-5 hours away. Other trails during the summer climbing season also have toilets at

At Mount Fuji, you will stay in mountain huts. Most huts have large shared rooms, where sleeping in a communal style is common. Depending on the hut, you’ll sleep on futons or in sleeping bags. You don’t need to bring a sleeping bag as the huts provide them. In the case of futons, during peak seasons, multiple people may share one futon, and it’s usually mixed-gender communal sleeping. Recently, some huts have been providing divided spaces or rooms without locks. Changing areas vary from hut to hut.

The meals vary depending on the hut, but most serve curry for dinner. Some offer different menus like hamburgers. Breakfast is usually a box meal, distributed when you arrive or at dinner. Onigiri or red rice is common. Some huts can accommodate allergies or halal needs, while others cannot.

You’ll get a minimum amount of water or tea at dinner, but anything more usually comes with a charge, depending on the hut. Hot water is not always available for free, even at a charge in some huts. However, you can get hot water for noodles purchased at the hut’s shop. If you bring your own cup noodles, most huts do not provide hot water, even for a fee. Please buy water at the shop if needed.

Most huts have shops selling various items. Drinks like tea, coffee, and canned beer are available, and the food selection varies by hut. Even at the summit, items like cup noodles and canned beer are sold. However, prices are generally higher on Mount Fuji, increasing with altitude.

Most facilities at the fifth station accept credit cards. Some huts on the climbing route also accept cards, but due to weather, season, and communication issues, card terminals may not always be available. Therefore, it’s safer to assume that all payments should be made in cash.

Although not listed on the hut websites, several huts accept last-minute requests for naps. When I inquired at the Goraikokan on the Yoshida Route at the eighth station, they said you can nap for 2-3 hours between 4:00 AM and 8:00 AM, after the overnight guests have departed for the sunrise, for 3,000 yen per person. If you came for a night climb but find you can’t overcome your sleepiness, it’s better to take a nap.

Absolutely avoid trying to nap on the path in a wet shirt while exposed to the wind when you are sleepy, tired, and hungry. This is not just about catching a cold; in the mountains, there is a danger known as “exhaustion hypothermia,” which can lead to death due to low body temperature. Many of the fatalities in the summer mountains are due to exhaustion hypothermia.