On the 9th of July 2014, I had the opportunity to climb Mt Fuji in Japan as I was traveling around the country. I had been planning the climb a week prior, and as I had everything booked and ready, I heard the news that a super typhoon (Neoguri) was on its way to collide with Japan. The news mentioned that it would hit Okinawa and would slow down and disappear by the time it reached the mainland. I knew that sooner or later, the typhoon would hit Mt Fuji, but I was hoping it would hit in the evening when I was already down from the summit and with less violent wind.
I have never been so wrong. When I was at the mountain hut on July 9th, 2014, the typhoon hit while I was sleeping. As expected, when I woke up at 2 am the next morning, I was faced with a life-threatening decision: to climb or not to climb. Several people had already abandoned their plans at this point. Only two Swedish pals and a British couple were still undecided. The staff feared that we would die up there, but I was so close to the summit! Only two hours of walking, and I would be able to proudly say that I climbed Mt. Fuji. The two Swedish pals and the British couple agreed that we should at least give it a go, and if we were unable to continue climbing, we could always turn back. So we went.
After two hours of crawling up Mt Fuji with a wind that could knock me off the cliff in seconds, hail with the speed of a bullet, and slippery mud that was the current state of the trail, we eventually reached the summit at around 5 - 6 AM. As I was about to get hypothermia and the fact that we could no longer walk any further because there were no shelters to protect us from the violent wind of the typhoon, we left after 10 minutes at the summit and climbed down.
This is how NOT to climb Mt. Fuji if you want to live a long life. I was able to survive purely because of luck, and if you are going to climb Mt. Fuji, please prepare accordingly and do check the weather before you go. Don't risk it like I did. Below are a few tips before you attempt to climb Mt. Fuji.
When is the Best Time to Climb Mt. Fuji?
Mt. Fuji has an official climbing season, and the summit trails are closed outside it. In 2026, the Yoshida and Subashiri trails were open from July 1 to September 10, while the Fujinomiya and Gotemba trails were open from July 10 to September 10. Exact opening dates can change with snow and weather conditions, so always check the official Mt. Fuji climbing website before planning your climb. Do not treat September after the official closing date as an off-season alternative; the summit trails are closed and climbing outside the season is extremely dangerous.
If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, I would still aim for a weekday and avoid weekends and public holidays, particularly from late July through August. More importantly, do not climb when severe weather is forecast. My typhoon climb was an extremely bad decision, and the fact that I reached the summit does not make it safe. Check both the official Mt. Fuji trail status and the mountain forecast before setting out, and be prepared to cancel or turn around.
2026 Yoshida Trail Rules: The Yoshida Trail charged a mandatory 4,000 JPY hiking fee per person per climb in 2026. Entry was capped at 4,000 climbers per day, and the 5th Station gate was closed from 2 PM to 3 AM for climbers without a mountain-hut reservation. Advance access reservations are strongly recommended during busy periods. The three Shizuoka-side routes also charged a 4,000 JPY entry fee and required climbers to complete registration and safety learning. Check the rules again for your specific climbing year, as they can change.
Getting Around Japan
If you are planning to travel around Japan after visiting Tokyo, the JR Pass can still be useful, but it is no longer automatically the cheapest option. The nationwide pass became substantially more expensive, so compare the cost of your actual long-distance train journeys with the pass before buying it. Regional JR passes or individual tickets can be better value for many itineraries.
- Mt Fuji, Hakone Lake Ashi Cruise Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo (11 hours)
- Private Sightseeing to Mount Fuji and Hakone guide photographer (10 hours)
- 1 Day Private Mt Fuji Tour (Charter) - English Speaking Driver (10 hours)
The nationwide pass is available for 7, 14, or 21 days. As of 2026, an ordinary pass costs 50,000 JPY for 7 days, 80,000 JPY for 14 days, and 100,000 JPY for 21 days through the official online service. It covers most JR trains and Shinkansen services, although the fastest Nozomi and Mizuho services require an additional special ticket. The old requirement to buy the pass before arriving in Japan no longer applies when using the official online sales service.
Summiting Mt. Fuji Difficulty
I would rate the standard Mt. Fuji climb as moderate to strenuous rather than easy. The trail itself is not technical during the official summer season, but you are climbing to 3,776 m, often through cold, wind, rain, darkness, and loose volcanic terrain. Altitude sickness is a real risk above 3,000 m regardless of fitness. Take your time, acclimatize at the 5th Station, stay hydrated, and turn around if your condition or the weather deteriorates.
Mt. Fuji Trail Options
The Yoshida Trail, starting from the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station, remains the most heavily used route and has more mountain huts than the other trails, making it a practical option for first-time Fuji climbers. The other official summit routes are Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya, each with different distances, facilities, and opening dates. Check the current route comparison before choosing rather than selecting one purely because it is quieter.
Where to Stay Climbing Mt. Fuji?
It is physically possible to climb Mt. Fuji in one day, but rushing straight to the summit gives your body less time to acclimatize and can increase the risk of altitude sickness. The official guidance recommends spending 1-2 hours around the 5th Station before starting, climbing at a slow and steady pace, and staying hydrated. If you want to see sunrise from near the summit, booking a mountain hut breaks the climb into two stages and also allows access through the Yoshida gate during hours when non-hut climbers are restricted. Your exact departure time from the hut should depend on its elevation, trail congestion, weather, and the day's sunrise time rather than a fixed 2 AM schedule.
There are many mountain huts along the Yoshida Trail, and huts now operate on an advance-reservation basis. Booking and payment methods vary by hut, with many providing their own websites or reservation systems. Reserve as early as you can for weekends and peak summer dates, and choose a hut at an elevation that suits your pace rather than simply booking the highest one available.
What to Pack and Things to Prepare for Mt. Fuji Trek?
Even in midsummer, conditions on Mt. Fuji can be cold, wet, and windy, especially before sunrise and near the summit. Temperatures can drop close to freezing when wind chill is factored in, so bring proper layers rather than dressing for the hot and humid conditions you may encounter at lower elevations. Below is the list of things I had with me, with a few important updates for current climbers:
- Daypack: I locked everything I don't need in a locker at the 5th Station before I went for the summit. Climbing a mountain is no joke, so don't bring unnecessary things up there. During this trip, I used the classic Herschel Supply's Little America Backpack to carry everything with me. It is light with good capacity and stylish as hell.
- Bottles of water: If you are going on the Yoshida trail, as I did, there may be a few stops before you reach your mountain hut, but the price of everything up there is through the roof. Prepare enough water and food before you start the climb. I always carry my 2-liter hydration pack, which I recommend so you don't have to stop to stay hydrated.
- A Fleece Jacket and A Down Jacket: As mentioned earlier, it will be cold up there, and if you are going for the sunrise, you will need to climb as early as 2 AM, which can be very chilly. There are no shelters up at the summit, so the jackets are your only hope for keeping yourself warm.
- Proper Rain Gear and Backpack Cover: Weather can change rapidly on Mt. Fuji, so bring waterproof jacket and pants, not just a lightweight poncho, plus protection for your backpack. In 2026, Yoshida Trail staff could check that climbers had appropriate cold-weather clothing, separate upper/lower rainwear, and suitable hiking shoes before allowing them through the gate. Here are the jackets I used/recommended for the trip: fleece jacket and the Columbia outer-shell jacket.
- Trekking Shoes: The trail consists of some steep climbs both ways, so do prepare adequate trekking shoes that will protect your ankles. These Timberland Shoes are my go-to hiking boots in most situations.
- Headlamp: As mentioned earlier, you will be climbing as early as 2 AM, so you will need a headlamp to do so. I recommend you get the Cree LED headlamp.
- (Optional) Trekking poles: You don't need a hi-tech metal trekking pole; a stick would do just fine. You can buy a traditional climbing stick at the 5th Station and get it stamped at each mountain hut (200 - 300 Yens per stamp) as you pass along the trail as a souvenir.
And that is how you should climb Mt. Fuji, NOT the way I did. The rules around fees, reservations, gate hours, and trail openings have changed considerably since my 2014 climb, so check the official Mt. Fuji climbing information again immediately before your trip. Most importantly, if severe weather is approaching, cancel the climb. Reaching the summit is never worth gambling with conditions like the ones I experienced. Stay out of the typhoon!
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so good