Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration is a Cultural World Heritage Site (#1418), a 3,776m tall volcano, and iconic symbol of Japan. Mount Fuji can on clear sky days be seen from various places in Japan, including Tokyo, Yokohama, and Hakone, and also from the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto.
WHEN TO GO
For seeing Mount Fuji, the best chance is during winter and spring, whereas the summer with rainy season have less days with views to the Majestic mountain. If you plan on hiking to the summit of Fuji, this can only be done between July and mid-September when the trails are open.
HOW TO GET THERE
The most popular trail for hiking to the summit of Mt. Fuji is the Yoshida trail, which starts from Mount Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station. If you want to just concentrate on hiking to the summit and see the sunrise, I stringly advice to book the climbing Mt. Fuji tour through
Willer Express, which includes professional Sherpa/Guide, 2 meals, mountain hut stay, and onsen visit. By taking the tour, you don't have to worried about when to start your hike towards the summit to make it in time for the sunrise. The Willer Express tour departs from the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building near Shinjuku station and drops you off at the same location the following day.
HOW LONG TO STAY
Hiking to the summit of Mt. Fuji and enjoying the sunrise requires two days and one night at the mountain.
DAY ONE
07.30AM - Depart from Shinjuku Sumitomo Building
11.00AM - Arrive at Mount Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station
12.00PM - Start hiking
16.15PM-19.00PM - Arrive at Original 8th monutain station
19.00PM - Dinner
DAY TWO
01.00AM - Wake up
01.30AM - Start hiking last part to summit
04.00AM - Arrive at summit
04.45AM - Sunrise
05.30AM - Crater tour (optional) or descend to Original 8th monutain station
07.00AM - Descend to Mount Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station
11.00AM - Arrive at Mount Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station
13.00PM - Onsen
17.00PM - Arrive at Shinjuku Sumitomo Building
HOW MUCH ARE THE COSTS
Willer express also offers rental of climbing gear in case you don't have suitable boots or clothes. I did the climb in a pair of running shoes and in running clothes.
JPY 16,800 - Willer Express Mt. Fuji Climbing tour, including professional Sherpa/Guide, 2 meals, mountain hut stay, and onsen visit.
WHERE TO STAY
The Willer express tour accommodate into the
Hon 8th staion Fujisan Hotel at the Original 8th Mountain Station. In case you do the hike independently, you can book this accommodation on your own.
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| Mt. Fuji original 8th station and the Fujisan Hotel |
WHAT TO DO / WHERE TO GO
1. Climb to the summit of Mt. Fuji
Going with the tour of Willer Express everything will be taking care of by the guide, which have probably worked as a professional Sherpa in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal. If you are extremely fit, the hike from the 5th to the Original 8th station will take about 4 hours, however, most will use up to 7 hours.
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| Mt. Fuji Subaru Line 5th station, and the Professional Sherpa Mr. Pasang |
Along the hike, you'll have plenty of oppotunities to rest at one of the mountain stations.
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| Mt. Fuji 7th station and 8th station |
Leaving the Original 8th mountain station, will bring you to the summit at 04.00AM, plenty of time to find a good spot for the sunrise at 04.45AM.
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| Tokyo by Night and Sunrise from the summit of Mt. Fuji |
2. Tokyo SKYTREE
Visiting the
Tokyo Skytree, can be combine extraodinary view over Tokyo with the sunset and Mt. Fuji in the horizon. There are usual extremely long waiting time (3+ hours) to get up in the Tokyo Skytree. However, The Fast Skytree Ticket (JPY 2,820, normally JPY 2,060) for international visitors (can be accompanied by Japanese) allows you to jump the que and get direct access.
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| Tokyo skytree and Mt. Fuji |
3. Yokohama Yamashita Park
The Yamashita park in Yokohama, can give clear views to Yokohama and Mt. Fuji.
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| Yokohama Yamashita park and Mt. Fuji |
4. Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto
You can enjoy views to Mt. Fuji from the Shinkansen travelling between Tokyo and
Kyoto. Travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto, reserve seats on the right hand side, and on the left hand side on the return trip to get window seats in the side of Mt. Fuji.
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| Mt. Fuji from the Shinkansen |
WHAT TO REMEMBER
1. Bring cash and water
The toilets on the trails to the summit of Mt. Fuji costs JPY 100 to 300, mostly JPY 100. Bring at least 1L of water and buy re-supplies at the Original 8th mountain station.
2. Bring WARM clothes
The hike up in sunny weather to the Original 8th Mountain Station can be done in shorts an tshirts, but the last hike to the summit during the night is extremely cold. You'll be standing still a lot due to the heavy traffic towards the summit and the temperature can easily drop to freezing.
3. Use walking sticks
I didn't use walking sticks for the descend and my knees were hurting, so I recommend you bring walking sticks to use for the descend.
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