Read the guide on how to explore Mt. Fuji, Japan, and its surrounding areas.
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Mount Fuji — a UNESCO World Heritage
How to prepare for your hike up Mount Fuji
Explore more than just the mountain in Fujisan
Rising above villages and peaceful lakes about an hour outside Tokyo lies the snow-capped mountain known worldwide as Mt. Fuji. Declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Mt. Fuji is a destination for travelers and pilgrims alike — people who long to gaze upon the beauty of the mountain or, at least once in their lifetime, hike to the summit to see the sunrise.
The Fujisan World Heritage site consists of the mountain as well as nearby shrines, hiking trails, lakes, and more.
At over 3,000 meters tall, Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan and has been a sacred place and object of worship since ancient times. While it erupted, people would gaze up at the peak and worship it from afar. As the volcanic activity subsided, it became the center and destination for the shugendo, a form of Japanese mountain worship combined with Buddhism. Shugendo believers would worship Fujisan as they climbed up its peak.
Even today, Fuji Mountain in Japan sees several yearly visitors who climb to its peak. Some of them stay to witness and worship the goraiko sunrise, while others perform the ohachimeguri ritual, where they walk around the crater rim.
What people used to fear for its eruptions became an integral part of Japanese culture. Mt. Fuji has often been a source of inspiration for artists who feature the magnificence and beauty of the mountain in their work. It has often been featured in paintings, poems, literature, and theater.
Mt. Fuji is divided into ten stations — with the first at the foot of the mountain. The roads are paved until the 5th station, and you can take a car or bus up to it. To reach the summit, you need to hike the rest of the way using one of the four available trails.
Altitude: 2,300 meters
Ascent time: 6 hours
Descent time: 4 hours
The Yoshida trail sits on the Yamanashi Prefecture side of the mountain. It is the most popular trail and most easily accessible, with buses bringing people directly from Tokyo. You’ll find several mountain huts and other amenities when you climb. In the Yoshida course, the trail for ascending Mt. Fuji differs from the one descending it. For those who want to climb to the dawn peeping over the clouds, the sun rises on this side of the mountain, so you may want to plan an overnight stay in one of the mountain huts at the 7th or 8th station.
The Yoshida Trail is easily accessible from Tokyo via the Fuji Subaru Line 5th station. It features plenty of Mt. Fuji restaurants and shops, and you can stock up on supplies, such as water, oxygen, walking sticks, and snacks. Due to its popularity, however, you may experience large crowds during peak season (such as weekends and holidays), making it difficult to climb at your own pace.
How to get to the Yoshida Trail from Narita International Airport: Begin with a ride on the Skyliner to Nippori Station. Take the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station. From Shinjuku Station, take the Fuji Excursion bus to Kawaguchiko Station. From there, take a bus to Fuji Subaru 5th Line Station.
How to get to the Yoshida Trail from Tokyo Haneda Airport: From Haneda Airport, take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho, then JR to Tokyo Station. Board a direct bus or train to Kawaguchiko Station. Seasonally, a bus from Kawaguchiko takes you to the Yoshida Trail at Mount Fuji's 5th Station. Check schedules in advance, especially during climbing season.
Altitude: 2,400 meters
Ascent time: 5 hours
Descent time: 3 hours
The Fujinomiya Trail is the closest of the 5th station trails to the summit. However, the climb is steeper and more rigorous. It uses the same path for ascending and descending, so after you’ve reached the summit, you’ll have to retrace your steps. If you’re thinking of taking a break or even spending the night in one of the mountain huts along the trail, you’ll be able to find one, as there are mountain huts at every station leading to the summit.
The Fujinomiya 5th Station is the second most popular and most developed 5th station, next to the Yoshida Trail and the Fuji Subaru 5th Line Station. It has a lot of parking spaces, public toilets, restaurants, and shops.
How to get to the Fujinomiya Trail from Narita International Airport: From Narita International Airport, take the Narita Express to Shinagawa Station. Ride the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Mishima Station. At Mishima, switch to the Tokaido Line until Fuji Station. Transfer to the Minobu Line and ride until Fujinomiya Station.
How to get to the Fujinomiya Trail from Tokyo Haneda Airport: Starting from Haneda Airport, board the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa Station. Switch to the JR Tokaido Line for a ride to Fuji Station. Upon arrival, locate the bus terminal for a direct connection to the Fujinomiya 5th Station, the gateway to the Fujinomiya Trail on Mount Fuji. This journey can take several hours, so plan accordingly. Bus services to the trailhead are seasonal, operating mainly in summer, so confirm the latest schedules and service availability prior to departure.
Altitude: 2,000 meters
Ascent time: 6 hours
Descent time: 3 hours
Situated on the eastern side of Mt. Fuji, the Subashiri Trail is the road less traveled, but there are also fewer mountain huts and amenities in the stations. At some point between the 8th station and the summit, it merges with the Yoshida Trail, and the trails for the ascent to and descent from the top are the same as the Yoshida Trail.
Next to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, the Subashiri 5th Station is easier to get to from Tokyo and is accessible from Gotemba Station. However, the Subashiri 5th Station only has a few restaurants and shops, so it’s best to have everything you need before your climb.
How to get to the Subashiri Trail from Narita International Airport: From Narita International Airport, take the Skyliner to Shinagawa Station. Switch to the Ueno-Tokyo line until Kozu Station. Ride the Gotemba Line until Gotemba Station, then take a bus to Subashiri 5th Station.
How to get to the Subashiri Trail from Tokyo Haneda Airport: From Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa Station, then transfer to the JR Tokaido Line to Gotemba Station. From Gotemba Station, take a bus to the Subashiri 5th Station, the starting point of the Subashiri Trail on Mount Fuji. The entire trip may take a few hours, and bus services to the trailhead are seasonal, typically running during the summer climbing season. Always check the latest transport schedules and trail conditions before setting out.
Altitude: 1,450 meters
Ascent time: 7 hours
Descent Time: 3 hours
The Gotemba Trail starts at a lower elevation than the other trails, making it the longest route to Mt. Fuji’s summit. As not many people use this trail, it has fewer mountain huts than the other trails, and you’ll only start seeing them when you reach the 7th station. It has a gentle slope, but it’s better to use this trail if you’ve had experience mountain climbing, as the route is long, and you may become exhausted. There is also the risk of losing your way due to the dense fog and fewer landmarks.
The Gotemba 5th Station is the least developed among the four 5th Mt. Fuji Stations. It consists of just a small shop, toilets, and parking. While the trail up is pretty much featureless (just lava rocks and a few mountain huts along the way), the descent has a thrilling portion called the Osunabashiri, the “great sand run,” a broad, straight road covered with loose gravel. It makes up a third of the trail, and you are free to run down it, which makes up for the long hours it takes to hike up this.
How to get to the Gotemba Trail from Narita International Airport: From Narita International Airport, take the Skyliner to Shinagawa Station. Switch to the Ueno-Tokyo line until Kozu Station. Ride the Gotemba Line until Gotemba Station, then take the bus to Gotemba 5th Station.
How to get to the Gotemba Trail Tokyo Haneda Airport: From Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa Station. Transfer to the JR Tokaido Line and travel to Kozu Station. At Kozu, switch to the JR Gotemba Line to reach Gotemba Station. From there, catch a bus to the Gotemba 5th Station, the starting point for the Gotemba Trail on Mount Fuji. The journey may take several hours; check the latest schedules and note that bus services to the 5th Station are seasonal, usually available during the summer months.
Before you climb Mt. Fuji, you may want to do the following:
• Decide the day and time for your climb. Some days are busier than others. If you prefer climbing with fewer people, skip peak season and weekend climbs.
• Choose the trail you will use. Decide where your starting point will be so you can go straight there.
• Book a mountain hut. If you plan to spend the night, book a mountain hut in advance to avoid getting stuck outside with no accommodation options. Mountain huts are even more in demand when you climb during peak season.
• Prepare proper clothing and equipment. Be sure you have the right gear, are dressed comfortably, and have the appropriate shoes. Buy food and water beforehand, so you can replenish your energy when you feel yourself getting tired. While there are stores in some of the stations, they may run out of stock, especially during peak season.
All around Mt. Fuji are other tourist spots worth visiting — from majestic nature scenes to historical sites steeped in culture and tradition.
The Fuji Five Lakes region is a lake resort location where you can enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. There are plenty of museums and hot springs, and it is also the home of Fuji Q Highland, one of Japan’s most popular amusement parks. The Fuji Five Lakes region lies at the northern base of Mt. Fuji, and it is the home of Lakes Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako, Shojiko, and Motosuko.
How to get to the Fuji Five Lakes region from Narita International Airport: From Narita International Airport, ride the Skyliner to Nippori Station. Take the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station. From Shinjuku Station, take the Fuji Excursion bus to Kawaguchiko Station. There are Omnibuses that you can take from Kawaguchiko Station and Fujisan Station. They provide access to the five lakes and other attractions.
How to get to the Fuji Five Lakes region from Tokyo Haneda Airport: Take the Keikyu Line from Haneda Airport to Shinagawa Station. Transfer to the JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station. From Tokyo Station, board a direct bus or take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station. Transfer to the Fujikyu Railway Line to reach Kawaguchiko Station, the main gateway to the Fuji Five Lakes region. The journey may take around 3 to 4 hours. Check the latest schedules, as bus and train services can vary, especially outside of peak tourist seasons.
Near Fujiyoshida City is a five-storied pagoda where you can see Mt. Fuji in the distance. Built in 1963 as a peace memorial, it is part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine. It is most popular in the spring and the fall when photographers and tourists enjoy taking photos of the cherry blossoms or golden leaves with Mt. Fuji as a charming backdrop in the distance.
• Address: 2-4-1 Asama, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0011
• Opening hours: 24 hours
How to get to Chureito Pagoda from Narita International Airport: From Narita International Airport, take the Skyliner to Nippori Station. Get on the Yamanote Line until Shinjuku Station. Switch to the JR limited express train on the Chuo Line until Otsuki Station. From Otsuki, ride the Fujikyuko Line to Shimoyoshida Station. Wak about 20 minutes to get to Chureito Pagoda.
How to get to Chureito Pagoda from Tokyo Haneda Airport: From Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, then the JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station. Board the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki, transfer to the Fujikyu Railway to Shimoyoshida Station. Chureito Pagoda is a brief walk away. The journey takes around 3 hours; check schedules beforehand.
While Mt. Fuji provides pretty breathtaking views from its summit, there’s a different kind of spectacular beauty when you gaze at the mountain from afar. Instead of hiking to the top, you may opt to admire Mt. Fuji’s majesty as a whole from several spots.
Out of all the Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Kawaguchiko is the most accessible through direct bus access from Tokyo. You’ll find several attractions, but tourists most appreciate its spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. At the lake’s eastern end, you can see the mountain rising tall against the blue backdrop of the sky. The sights are even more stunning in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom and in the fall when the leaves turn red and gold.
How to get to Lake Kawaguchiko from Narita International Airport: From Narita International Airport, ride the Skyliner to Nippori Station. Take the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station. From Shinjuku Station, take the Fuji Excursion bus to Kawaguchiko Station. Hop on an Omnibus that will take you to Lake Kawaguchiko.
How to get to Lake Kawaguchiko from Tokyo Haneda Airport: From Haneda Airport, ride the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, then the JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo. Take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki, switch to the Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko Station. The trip to Lake Kawaguchiko takes about 3 hours; confirm current train and bus schedules in advance.
Asagiri-kogen, or Asagiri Plateau, lies sprawled on the western foot of Mount Fuji. It has many summer resorts, camping sites, golf courses, and other activities. Asagiri is also famous for paragliding and is one of the best places to admire Mt. Fuji from a distance.
How to get to the Asagiri-kogen from Narita International Airport: From Narita International Airport, take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station. Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Shin-Fuji Station. From there, ride the bus to Asagiri-kogen.
How to get to the Asagiri-kogen from Tokyo Haneda Airport: To reach Asagiri-kogen from Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, then the JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station. Board the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Mishima Station. From Mishima, take a bus directly to Asagiri-kogen. The journey may take around 3 to 4 hours; check the latest schedules before traveling.
Mt. Fuji is located near the city of Fujinomiya, in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefecture. It lies between Tokyo and Kyoto and is easily accessible from Tokyo.
Mt. Fuji lies approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo. Riding local buses or trains from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji takes approximately two to three hours, and you may have to transfer at least once.
There is no direct shinkansen (bullet train) directly to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo, but you may take the Fuji Excursion or the JR Chuo limited express train, which travels directly from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station and back again. Travel time on the Fuji Excursion takes approximately one hour.
The ascent to Mt. Fuji’s summit is relatively easy. While some challenging paths may be steep and rocky, they are not frequent, especially if you take the Yoshida Trail.
The biggest challenge beginner climbers may face is the changing altitude. If you don’t have much experience, it’s best to condition yourself properly and give yourself some physical preparation before your climb. Take many breaks during the ascent and bring lots of water. If you start experiencing altitude sickness (dizziness, nausea), descend the mountain instead of pushing ahead.
Now that international travel has returned, Mt. Fuji has experienced a surge in tourists trekking to the summit. While the journey is relatively safe for beginners, it’s important to pay attention to local guidelines and rules to ensure you don’t encounter any problems. Keep an eye out for and graciously respect any signs that prohibit hiking in specific locations, as these are placed for your safety and the preservation of the delicate natural habitat.
Ahead of your climbing expeditions, be sure to wear sturdy hiking boots and always pack suitable clothing for extreme conditions, as the weather can unexpectedly change. Don’t forget to check for issues with your equipment before you arrive. You should also research the trail you choose to take to the summit carefully, making sure it’s appropriate for your physical fitness.
It’s best to attempt the summit during peak climbing season when all mountain huts operate on Mt. Fuji. While experienced hikers can summit Mt. Fuji in a day, it’s wise to reserve an overnight spot in a hut ahead of time. A slower pace can also prevent altitude sickness.
The climbing season for Mt. Fuji is from early July to early September, and each trail’s opening and closing times vary. During the off-season, the trails and mountain huts are closed as the climb is too dangerous. Be sure to check a Mt. Fuji map for information about the trails before your hike, as a change in weather and trail conditions may result in the trails closing around the time you plan to go.
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