This Information Guide will provide some advice for those who wish to climb Mt.Fuji.

At a height of 3776m above sea level, Mt.Fuji is Japan's highest peak.
* The best time to climb Mt. Fuji is from 1st of July to 31th of August.
* You cannot climb during winter.

Climbing Information in 2016 (Trail from 5th station to the summit)

The climbing season in summer differs depending on the trails. (Trails may be opened later or closed earlier than usual, depending on snow conditions.)
[Yoshida Trail in Yamanashi Prefecture Side] (Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station/Kawaguchiko-guchi) / A course to start from Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station
The 5th station of this trail is slightly urban compared to other trails. There are post office and foreign money exchange standing along retro-looking houses.
You will see many tour buses, climbers and tourists who are just visiting the 5th station on weekends.
Altitude of the 5th Station : 2304m
Characteristics : Many mountain huts are available for a rest on the way to the summit. You can see the sunrise before reaching to the summit. It is relatively accessible via public transportation compared to other trails.
Mountain Trails Climbing Season : Wednesday, July 1 to Monday, September 14 / Open Hours : 24 Hours (The descending route is open until September 15 by noon.)
Public Lavatory : (5th Station)Available when Subaru Line is open / Open for 24 hours / Fee : Free
Information Center : (5th Station) May, June, September 16 to October 31 : 9:00am - 4:30pm / July, August, September 1 to 15 : 8:00am - 7:00pm

[Fujinomiya Trail in Shizuoka Prefecture Side] / The distance to the summit is relatively short because this trail starts at the highest altitude out of the four trails.
There are shops and restaurant on the 5th station. Soon after you start climbing from 5th station, you will see a high-tech lavatory built by Ministry of the Environment, spending 2 hundred millions. Please check out one of the most expensive lavatory!
Altitude of the 5th Station : 2400m
Characteristics : The distance to the summit is short. Mount huts are located at regular intervals.
Mountain Trails Climbing Season : Friday, July 10 to Thursday, September 10 / Open Hours : 24 Hours
Public Lavatory : (5th Station) From end of June / Open for 24 hours / Fee : 100yen for a tip
Information Center : (5th Station) Friday, July 10 to Thursday, September 10 / Open for 24 hours

[The Summit] (Trail around Ohachi (the crater at the top))
Trail around Ohachi (The crater at the top) : Friday, July 10 to Tuesday, September 15 / Open for 24 hours
Public Lavatory : (Fujinomiya Side) : Friday, July 10 to Tuesday, September 15 / Open Hours : 4:00am - 4:00pm / Fee : 300yen for a tip

Fujinomiya New 5th Station – Recommended Climbing Route

There are four routes at Mt. Fuji and "Fujinomiya New 5th station" is the highest starting point for a climb among them. Fujinomiya route is the shortest route to the top. You can take a bus to reach New 5th Station. Mountain huts with a high capacity are located at almost equal distance, and some rest places are also available there.
Before climbing, please pay attention to the weather forecast as the weather is extremely changeable. Also, to prevent altitude sickness, you should stay at the 5th station for more than an hour to acclimatize your body to the high altitude before ascending.
Gerneral Information About New 5th Station
There are four routes: Fujinomiya, Yoshida(Lake Kawaguchiko), Gotemba, and Subashiri.
"New 5th station" is the highest starting point for a climb among four routes. Fujinomiya 5th Station is at 2,400m and this trail is the shortest route to the top. However there are only 90 days a year to view beautiful Mt. Fuji since the weather there changes rapidly. There are a few things you should pay attention before climbing. We hope you can find useful information from this page.
Weather
Please pay attention to the weather forecast, as the weather is extremely chageable. Every 100m you ascend, the temperature drops about 0.6 degrees Celsius. The average temperature on the summit is 5 degrees Celsius in the daytime and it drops below 0 degrees Celsius at dawn. Please take warm clothing and rain gear.
For further weather information, please check : The Japan Meteorological Agency
Climbing
Climb at your own pace. You will tire more if you try to keep up with others or take long breaks.
To prevent altitude sickness, you should stay at the 5th station for more than an hour to acclimatize your body to the high altitude before ascending. Average climbing time to summit (will change depending on breaks and time of day): Ascent 4-7 hours / Descent 2-3 hours
Fujinomiya Trail (Shizuoka Prefecture)
- Altitude of the starting point : about 2,400m
- Ascent : about 4 hours and 20 minutes
- Descent : about 2 hours and 30 minutes
Recommended Climbing Route
Lavatories
The lavatories on the mountain are environment-friendly bio-toilets.
You will be charged a 200yen maintenance fee every time you use one.
Do not dispose any garbage or foreign substances in the toilets.
Toilets in huts and on the summit may be out of service due to overuse or weather conditions.
Lodging
You cannot pitch a tent on the mountain. It is extremely dangerous to sleep outside. Always use the mountain huts. Be quiet near mountain huts.
There may be people resting for the following day's climb.
Travelers checks and credit cards are not accepted at mountain huts.
Bring enough cash to cover the expenses of food, lodging and toilets.
Mountaineering Wear
The sunlight is stronger on the mountain.
You need to protect yourself from sunburn with long sleeved shirts, long trousers, headgear and sunglasses. Your shoes should be comfortable mountaineering boots or trekking shoes with a thick sole that has no gaps for small stones to get caught into.
Off-season Climbing
The official climbing season starts on July 1 and ends on August 31.
If you wish to climb in the off-season, you must submit a climbing plan to the local police or drop it in the post in front of the police box on the 5th station. Please download the FORM from here. No huts or shops are open during the off-season, and the road to the 5th station is closed after mid-November until late-April.
Access
[By public transportation]
Please take a KODAMA shinkansen train to Shinfuji station otherwise you will miss the stop. Find a bus terminal outside the station. Buy a one-way or a round ticket to the 5th station at the booth and take a bus. It will be a two-hour ride. Please check the bus timetable here.
If you plan to stay overnight in Fujinomiya before the attack, please change the Shinkansen train at Mishima station to a local train bound for the west (opposite direction from Tokyo). Change the train again at Fuji station to the Minobu line, and get off at Fujinomiya station or Nishifujinomiya station depending on where you stay. You can check your hotel location here.
[By car]
Assuming that you take the Tomei Highway, please get off at the Fuji exit to take the Nishifuji Bypass. Drive along until you find CoCos Family Restaurant on your left where you must turn right at the traffic lights. There is no turns to take until Mizugatsuka parking area, but if you wish to go to the 5th station by car other than the peak season, you must be careful not to miss the turn to enter the Mt. Fuji Skyline. Please go through the following map beforehand.

Climbing Route with Lodge Break / For beginners

Departure from Bus terminal at Shinjuku station West Exit at 10:55am → (Expressway bus) → Arrive at Mt.Fuji 5 station at 1:20pm / Lunch in Mt.Fuji 5 station
→ Start climbing (approx.5 hours ) → Stay in the lodge near the Mt.Fuji 8 station → Depart lodge at 2:00am → Climbing (approx.2 hours) → Reach the top of the mountain and see the sunrise at 4:00am → Descend the mountain (approx.6 hours) → Departure from Mt.Fuji 5 station at 1:00pm → (Bus) → Arrive at Kawaguchi lake at 2:00pm → 10 minutes by courtesy car → Arrive at Kawaguchi lake Hotel area.

If you're looking for a convenient way to travel between Tokyo and Mt.Fuji, "Highwaybus.com" offers a great solution.
For more information, please click the following link "Highwaybus.com"
(From Shinjuku to Mt. Fuji for a reasonable price).

Direct Climbing Route without lodge break (for confident climbers)

Departure from Bus terminal at Shinjuku station west exit at 5:50pm → (Expressway bus) → Arrive at Mt.Fuji 5 station at 8:15pm / Dinner in Mt.Fuji 5 station
→ Start climbing (approx.7 hours) → Reach the top of the mountain and see the sunrise at 4:00am → Descend the mountain (approx.6 hours) → Departure from Mt.Fuji 5 station at 1:00pm → (Bus) → Arrive at Kawaguchi lake at 2:00pm → 10 minutes by courtesy car → Arrive at Kawaguchi lake Hotel area.

If you're looking for a convenient way to travel between Tokyo and Mt.Fuji, "Highwaybus.com" offers a great solution.
For more information, please click the following link "Highwaybus.com"
(From Shinjuku to Mt. Fuji for a reasonable price).

Attention

The top of Mt.Fuji is very cold (around 5 degrees).
Even in the middle of summer, the temperature only reaches around 30 degrees at ground level.
It's important to bring adequately protection against the cold.
The oxygen is thin at the higher altitudes, so be careful about altitude sickness.

Equipment

Commodities
Sack / Trekking shoes / Work gloves / Rainwear / Towel / Mineral water, Drink, Light meal, Snacks, Sweets / Hat (be careful that it is secured and won't blow off) / Garbage bag / Toilet paper / Portable ash tray (if necessary) / Flashlight / Protection against the cold (particularly for night climbing)
In addition, the following items may assist you...
Stick for climbing / Suntan cream / Sunglasses / Band-Aid / Antiseptic spray / Gas cylinder / A change of shirt / Copy of health insurance card / spats (Ankle protection in order to prevent sand from entering the shoes) / 1m roll of cloth packing tape. (It is useful if you need to patch up a hole) / Earplugs (Useful for a quiet night's sleep when staying at the lodge)

General Information

[ADDRESS] 6663-1 Funatsu, Kawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi, 401-0301 JAPAN
[PHONE] 0555-72-0259 Int'l +81-555-72-0259
[FAX] 0555-72-0211 Int'l +81-555-72-0211
[HOUR] 9:00am - 5:00pm *9:00am - 6:00pm (During July, August and September)
*9:00am - 4:00pm (During December, January and February)
*Please Note that during July & August, the Fuji Visitor Center is opened everyday from 9:00am to 6:00pm
[Link]
Yamanashi Tourist Information
Japan National Tourism Organization