Mount Fuji Japan

Mount Fuji is the highest point in Japan at 12,388 ft (3,776 m). Along with Mount Haku and Mount Tate; it is one of Sanreizan (Three Holy Mountains). An estimated two hundred thousands people climb Mount Fuji annually, thirty percent of whom are non-Japanese. The most popular time to hike up Mount Fuji is from 1 July through 27 August, when resting places and other facilities are fully operating. Buses to the 5th station start running at 1 July. Some prefer to climb the mountain at nighttime in order to have good observation spot when the sun rises.

To reach Mt. Fuji, you can take a bus from Shinjuku West via Keio Shopping Mall. The ticket can be bought in the level two of Shinjuku West Terminal. The staffs can speak English quite fluently. It is possible to make an advance booking, just make a telephone call from your town and collect the ticket in Shinjuku West. The journey with the bus is relatively long, as you will likely encounter a heavy traffic jam. It is important that you arrive 10 minutes before the departure, Japanese are really punctual and they will not wait for you, not even for one minute. The last bus that leaves for Mount Fuji’s Kawaguchiko fifth station is at 3 PM. If you miss it you will waste one night in Shinjuku.

Mt. Fuji is mildly challenging and very pleasant to climb. Be sure, you eat and drink enough but not too much. You will find huts along the way to rest, drink or eat, although you may find that the price is slightly overpriced.

Most choose Kawaguchiko route due to its large parking lot and larger resting places where a climber can eat and drink. In summer season, most Mt. Fuji tours start from there. If you prefer less crowded surrounding, you can choose Fujinomiya route with its highest 5th station, or Gotemba and Subashiri for a quieter climb to the summit.

You can use four major routes from the Kawaguchiko 5th station to the mount summit while from the mountain foot there are four routes. The major routes from the 5th station are Fujinomiya, Gotemba, Subashiri, and Lake Kawaguchi. If you start from the mountain foot, you can choose Murayama, Suyama, Yoshida, and Shojiko routes. Each route has its own stations which are located at different elevations. The highest 5th station is in Fujinomiya route.