Guide of Mount Fuji Tour for Climbing and Sightseeing
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Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at a height of 3,776 meters. It locates between Shizuoka Prefecture and Yamanashi Prefecture. It has been registered as a World Heritage Site in 2013 so that the recognition and popularity of foreigners have exploded. As many mountain climbers visit Mount Fuji every summer, the number of people who try to climb is increasing year by year.
When climbing Mount Fuji, it is common to go up to the fifth station by car or express bus and start from there. Ascending from the fifth station to the summit takes about eight hours, and descending takes about four hours. Although physical strength is required to achieve it, Mount Fuji climbing is not difficult even for beginners if it is well prepared in advance. However, as getting higher altitude, the amount of oxygen in the air decreases so the risk of developing mountain sickness increases. If you think about the burden on the body, those who are trying to climb Mount Fuji for the first time are recommended to take part in the tour accompanied by an experienced guide. Many of Mount Fuji's climbing tours include various options such as mountain hut, meals, and hot spring at the bottom of the mountain, as well as travel by bus. Taking part in tours is very convenient and safe as climbing Mount Fuji.
In this article, we will give an easy-to-understand explanation of Mount Fuji's climbing information, such as season, climbing routes, necessary equipment, weather, etc. In addition, we will pick up the rental service for climbing equipment. Furthermore, we also introduce two types of tours about Mount Fuji; climbing and sightseeing and there is the information about recommended tours.
It will be an unforgettable memory by challenging Mount Fuji climbing and seeing the beautiful sunrise, but for those who are not confident in own physical strength, we recommend to take part in Mount Fuji's sightseeing tour. There are various types of tours, such as day trip of Mount Fuji, and the Suruga Bay cruise tour. It is also a wonderful trip to go around Mount Fuji, hike to the fifth place, and look at Mount Fuji. Foreigners who would like to visit should refer to the information here and enjoy Mount Fuji in a variety of ways to suit your preferences!
Contents
Mt. Fuji Climbing Tour for Foreigners
The Season and Weather at Mt. Fuji
Mount Fuji is closed to snow for most of the time, and you can not pass the mountain trail except during the open season. It is open from July to mid-September. However, even if the mountain is open, a lot of snow still remains and the weather is easily broken, so it is said that the best time to climb Mount Fuji is from the end of July (around July 20) to the beginning of September. Also, not only Mount Fuji but the weather on the mountain is easy to change, so you should check the weather information before climbing.
| Climbing Season in 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Yoshida Trail | July 1 - September 10 |
| Subashiri Trail | July 10 - September 10 |
| Gotemba Trail | July 10 - September 10 |
| Fujinomiya Trail | July 10 - September 10 |
| Ohachi-meguri Trail (The trail of crater rim) |
July 10 - September 10 |
Visit Japan Weather Association
Check the weather of Mt. Fuji!
Required Equipment for Mt. Fuji Climbing
- Mountaineering boots: It is recommended to use high-cut mountaineering shoes that have a hard bottom and prevent to get sand in because Mount Fuji is a gravel road.
- Rain gear: Mount Fuji is windy, so it is best not to be made of vinyl, but to be a highly durable rain gear for climbing.
- Clothes: Mount Fuji tends to have a big difference in temperature. It is important to wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off.
- Winter clothes: It is cold in the middle of the night, so you need winter clothes such as a fleece or a down jacket.
- Rainwear: There are also sudden weather changes, so it is necessary to prepare rainwear even if it does not rain. Rainwear is also useful for cold protection. Highly durable rainwear is recommended because it might be broken by the strong wind if it is made of vinyl.
- Hats: Prepare a hat for heatstroke and sun protection, as you will expose your skin to strong sunlight for a long time.
- Headlamps: Be sure to bring the headlamps because Mount Fuji will be dark and not be visible at night. Avoid using flashlights because there is a rocky area where you have to climb with both hands.
- Water (1 liter or more): It is important to drink water frequently. If you bring lots of it, you will lose your physical strength, so use the potable water that you can buy at the mountain hut.
- Snacks: As it also serves as an emergency meal, chocolate, cookies, candies, and so on are the best items with high calories.
- Garbage bag: There is no trash can at Mount Fuji, so always take trash with you.
- Towels: If you do not wipe your sweat, you will lose your body temperature. Be sure to prepare a towel and wipe it.
- Oxygen can: If you climb on top of Mount Fuji, the oxygen will dilute, so the risk of developing altitude sickness is high. As using the oxygen can, you can temporarily recover from oxygen deficiency.
- Cash, change: Because the toilet of Mount Fuji is charged, prepare 100 yen coin change.
- Gloves: It protects your hands from getting an injury at the rocky area; also works as cold and sun protection.
Useful Equipment as Climbing Mt. Fuji
- Trekking pole: By using a trekking pole, it becomes easier to maintain balance, reduce the burden on the legs and feet, and also help prevent falls.
- Mobile charger: For charging smartphones.
- Eye mask, earplugs: The hut is crowded, so having an eye mask or earplugs can make you feel comfortable.
- Wet tissue: Mount Fuji does not have a water supply, so it helps to wipe hands, face, and body.
- Mask: Mount Fuji is always dusty, so wearing a mask is effective for dust control.
As it is expensive to purchase all the climbing equipment for climbing Mount Fuji, foreigners who do not plan climbing in the future are recommended to use the rental service.
Rental Mt. Fuji Climbing Equipment Recommended for Foreigners
This website also has English and Chinese pages. You can choose your favorite color and items within the rich product lineup. It corresponds to the delivery to the whole country of Japan such as the hotel which has stayed, and the postage is free. (*If the rental fee is less than 5,000 yen, shipping fee costs 500 yen.) Returning procedure is easy. After using, put the product in a bag and just send it out at a convenience store; no need to pay for shipping costs. In addition, it is possible to return them at the store on the fifth station of Mount Fuji. In case of cancellation, if you contact the store by one day before the scheduled date, a full refund will be supported without a cancellation fee. Tebura-wari special promotion is going on. You can get a 10% discount by meeting specific conditions. First, order via the yamarent's official website until two days before the pickup date and pay by credit card. Then, you pick up and return at the Shinjuku, Kawaguchiko, Fujinomiya Gogo-me, or Yoshida Route Gogo-me branches.
It supports Paypal online payment (credit card payment). If you make a reservation in advance via the Internet from overseas, you will receive and return products at stores in Kawaguchiko Station, the fifth station of Mount Fuji on Subashiri Trail and Fujinomiya Trail. English and Chinese pages are also available. There are many kinds of items; useful items for beginners, and advanced equipment and complete sets of Mount Fuji mountain climbing.
Climbing Trails at Mt. Fuji
Currently, four main mountain climbing trails are available, including Yoshida Trail, Subashiri Trail, Gotenba Trail, and Fujinomiya Trail. As the time required for each trail and the number of huts are different, choose the trail that suits you.
Yoshida Trail (吉田ルート）
This is the most recommended trail for beginners. It is easy to access because of a high-speed bus from Shinjuku, Nagoya, and Osaka in the summer season. In addition, the number of shops and mountain huts is large compared to other trails, so food and drinking water can be bought there.
Subashiri Trail (須走ルート）
This trail is a relatively low difficulty. Since the forest zone has spread to around the 7th station, strong sunlight can be avoided. Also, the exhaustion of physical strength can be prevented. However, in the case of heavy fog or night climbing, there is a risk to get lost.
Gotemba Trail (御殿場ルート）
This trail is for experienced climbers having physical strength with the longest distance. As there are no huts and toilets from the fifth to the seventh, you have to prepare water and food so that the luggage will be heavy. You can avoid crowds and climb at your own pace because there are a few climbers. In addition, the risk of getting high altitude sickness is low because the altitude of the starting point is low.
Fujinomiya Trail (富士宮ルート）
Following the Yoshida trail, it is a popular climbing trail. Among the Mount Fuji climbing trails, it is the shortest distance, which is suitable for day trips. There is no need to worry about getting lost, as the climbing and descending routes are the same. However, because the road width is relatively narrow, it tends to be crowded. Unless you climb to the summit, you will not be able to see the sunrise. You can only see the morning sun rising from the ridge of Mount Fuji on a mountain trail along the way.
Passage Restrictions
The following restrictions will be implemented at the fifth station of the Yoshida Trail: gates will be installed; however, individuals with prior reservations at the mountain huts will be allowed to pass.
- The restrictions will be in place from 4:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. the following day.
- Restrictions will be imposed if the numbers of climbers exceed 4,000 people per day.
- A fee of 2,000 yen per person will be charged for passing through the gate at the fifth station on the Yoshida Trail. (* No fee is required for the Fujinomiya, Gotemba, and Subashiri Trails in Shizuoka Prefecture.)
- A voluntary donation of 1,000 yen is encouraged to aid in the conservation of Mount Fuji.
Mt. Fuji Climbing Tour Recommended for Foreigners
There are various departure places, such as Tokyo, Kansai, Nagoya, Tohoku, Kyushu and so on, so you can choose a tour according to your travel plan. A professional Mount Fuji climbing guide is accompanied by climbing. Other than that, there are many types of Mount Fuji climbing tour. For example. Yoshida trail climbing tour for beginners, Subashiri trail climbing tour for the middle class, and Mount Fuji climbing tour for women only. Unnecessary luggage for climbing can be left on the bus, so you can challenge climbing with relatively light luggage. In addition, a Sleeping bag is provided so you can rest comfortably in a mountain hut.
There are two kinds of particularly popular Mount Fuji climbing tour: Yoshida Trail tour and Fujinomiya Trail tour. The tour for one person departure guarantee and one person participation welcome is substantial. There is a tour with experienced guides, as well as a free plan without any guides that arranges only buses, lunch boxes, and mountain huts. It is good for those who want to try climbing Mount Fuji at their own pace. It also sells plans for only accommodation on four trails of Mount Fuji. You can choose options such as breakfast and evening meal. 2024 Mount Fuji climbing tours will go on sale from November 2023.
Mt. Fuji Sightseeing Tour for Foreigners
Those who are not confident in their physical strength because they do not usually exercise at all are recommended participating in the Mount Fuji sightseeing tour. You can enjoy the beauty of Mount Fuji even though you do not climb. The travel agency offers many tours for foreigners, such as hiking day trips up to Mount Fuji fifth, and visiting hot-spring that viewing Mount Fuji from the Fuji Five Lakes, etc.
Mt. Fuji Sightseeing Tour Recommended for Foreigners
Klook is a travel booking platform that offers sightseeing tours to destinations such as Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, and Oshino Hakkai. The Mount Fuji day tours provided by Klook are accompanied by guides proficient in either English or Chinese. These guides introduce the history and legends of Mount Fuji. These tours are especially recommended for those who wish to deeply immerse themselves in the charm of Mount Fuji. The Klook platform is user-friendly, supports 23 languages and 42 currencies, ensuring its accessibility even to those who don't speak Japanese.
Signing up on Klook is free; users can simply sign up using an email address or phone number. Once registered as a free member, you can benefit from discounted reservations and use coupon codes. Additionally, members can earn points by making reservations or leaving reviews on Klook; these points can be redeemed for future bookings. The Mount Fuji tours are quite popular among foreign tourists, offering a variety of plans, including a private tour with English-speaking driver guides. This flexibility makes Klook an excellent choice for those wanting to tailor their family vacations or honeymoon trips to their unique preferences.
You can easily find a tour that suits your need because it provides various sightseeing tours around Mount Fuji: the Suruga Bay cruise tour, Mount Fuji fifth station walk tour, lunch buffet at a restaurant with a view of Mount Fuji, and Fuji Safari Park tour. There are plenty of unique reasonable tours that are not handled elsewhere, such as day trip bus tours, overnight bus tours, and plane tours. Some tours can be booked by the day before departure.
