Japan guide

Out and about

Mountains & Mt Fuji

Mt Fuji is open to climbers only in summer, and both sides of the mountain now ask climbers to register and pay a fee in advance. Other mountains near the cities make easy day hikes, but the weather changes fast.

7 steps · 4 common mistakes· Show in Japanese (2)
Climbers with backpacks walking up a rocky trail on Mt Fuji toward the mountain huts above.

Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

When you can climb Fuji

The official season is summer, roughly July to early September. The exact dates differ by trail and by year — check the official site before you plan.

  • Outside the season the trails close, the mountain huts are shut, and snow and wind make it dangerous.
  • There are four main trails. The Yoshida trail starts on the Yamanashi side; Fujinomiya, Gotemba and Subashiri start on the Shizuoka side.

Common mistakes

  • Climbing outside the season because the weather looks fine at the bottom.

Register before you climb

A hiker with a backpack and a walking stick climbs a zigzag trail toward a mountain hut, with snow-capped Mt Fuji behind.

Step by step

  1. Register online and pay the climbing fee in advance: on the Shizuoka trails through the FUJI NAVI app, on the Yoshida trail through Yamanashi's own system.

  2. Book a mountain hut if you plan to climb overnight. Some trails don't let you start late in the day without a hut booking.

  3. Show the QR code from your registration at the trailhead.

Common mistakes

  • Turning up at the trailhead without registering — you can be stopped before the gate.

What to bring

  • Warm clothes, gloves and a hat — the summit can be near freezing at dawn, even in August.
  • Rain jacket and trousers.
  • A headlamp, if you will walk in the dark.
  • Water, snacks and cash — the huts and the toilets on the trail are paid.
  • A bag to carry your rubbish down.

Common mistakes

  • Climbing in trainers and a T-shirt.

Altitude sickness

Above about 2,500 m, headaches, nausea and dizziness are common. Going up slowly helps.

Step by step

  1. Walk slowly and rest often, especially on the first day.

  2. Drink water.

  3. If the headache or nausea gets worse, go down — it usually gets better as you descend.

  4. If someone can't walk, call 119 or ask the hut staff for help.

Common mistakes

  • Pushing on to the top with a bad headache.

Other mountains

  • Many cities have easy hiking mountains nearby, reached by train.
  • Check the weather forecast and start early — clouds and rain often come in the afternoon.
  • Tell your hotel where you are going and when you plan to be back.

Sources

Sources (checked 2026-11-05). Facts, numbers and prices on this page come from these official pages.

  1. Local governmentMt. Fuji climbing: pre-registration (Shizuoka trails)(opens in a new tab)Mt. Fuji (Shizuoka trails): climber pre-registration
  2. Japan Tourism AgencyInformation on illnesses, injuries, and disasters(opens in a new tab)Japan Tourism Agency: help with illness, injury and disasters
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