Mt. Fuji 5th Station
Mt. Fuji 5th Station
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Rodrigo S
Tokyo, Japan4 contributions
Aug 2022
Even though the view was amazing, I had a terrible experience there.
As it is written in the picture, yesterday (Sunday, 28 August) I entered the facility to inquire about the shower service, as it had rained on my way back from Mount Fuji and I really needed a hot shower. The lady from the souvenir shop was kind enough to direct me to the showers, as the shop is quite big and it is not easy to spot them. Once I arrived there, an old guy at the reception of the Gogoen Rest House looked at me with a side eye without even greeting me. I then approached him to inquire about the showers, and without a second of hesitation he said “Closed”. I was taken aback by it, but I knew something was wrong, especially because it was 9:30AM and lots of hikers were coming back from Mount Fuji, so I was not the only one in need of a shower. I then went back to the lady from the souvenir shop, and told her what happened. She was surprised as well, and told “Showers open, not closed”, and called a clerk in the shop to help me out. This guy told me to follow him, confident that the showers were indeed open and running, and took me again to the Gogoen Rest House reception. Once there, he told the old man that I needed a shower, and looking at me with a nasty look he repeated “Closed”, without providing any valid reason. The clerk was clearly embarrassed by it, especially because there were other clients around witnessing such unprofessional behavior, and others (all Japanese…) were entering the showers as it was happening in front of my eyes. They discussed a bit about it, but I understood that the old guy was adamant about it. In that moment I understood, the showers were not closed, they were closed TO ME.
The lady from the souvenir shop was so embarrassed that she apologised to me for the old man, so I am assuming it is not the first time something like that has happened there.
I have been living in Japan for months, and it never occurred to me that someone refused service in such direct and nasty way. I am assuming it is because I am a foreigner, because other than that I was just a regular customer coming back from a hike, just like all of the others.
It is such a shame that a site of world cultural heritage such Mount Fuji is being ruined by such an unprofessional individual.
As it is written in the picture, yesterday (Sunday, 28 August) I entered the facility to inquire about the shower service, as it had rained on my way back from Mount Fuji and I really needed a hot shower. The lady from the souvenir shop was kind enough to direct me to the showers, as the shop is quite big and it is not easy to spot them. Once I arrived there, an old guy at the reception of the Gogoen Rest House looked at me with a side eye without even greeting me. I then approached him to inquire about the showers, and without a second of hesitation he said “Closed”. I was taken aback by it, but I knew something was wrong, especially because it was 9:30AM and lots of hikers were coming back from Mount Fuji, so I was not the only one in need of a shower. I then went back to the lady from the souvenir shop, and told her what happened. She was surprised as well, and told “Showers open, not closed”, and called a clerk in the shop to help me out. This guy told me to follow him, confident that the showers were indeed open and running, and took me again to the Gogoen Rest House reception. Once there, he told the old man that I needed a shower, and looking at me with a nasty look he repeated “Closed”, without providing any valid reason. The clerk was clearly embarrassed by it, especially because there were other clients around witnessing such unprofessional behavior, and others (all Japanese…) were entering the showers as it was happening in front of my eyes. They discussed a bit about it, but I understood that the old guy was adamant about it. In that moment I understood, the showers were not closed, they were closed TO ME.
The lady from the souvenir shop was so embarrassed that she apologised to me for the old man, so I am assuming it is not the first time something like that has happened there.
I have been living in Japan for months, and it never occurred to me that someone refused service in such direct and nasty way. I am assuming it is because I am a foreigner, because other than that I was just a regular customer coming back from a hike, just like all of the others.
It is such a shame that a site of world cultural heritage such Mount Fuji is being ruined by such an unprofessional individual.
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elisabethmh
Oslo, Norway591 contributions
Nov 2019
Mount Fuji, Fuji-San in Japaneese, is the great symbol of the Japaneese nation and one of the most photographed sights in the world. The mountain is 3776 m above sea level and has an important religious meaning for many Japaneese people. It is only possible to climb Mount Fuji in juli and august and the mountain attracts more than 15 million people every year. Between 200 and 300 000 climbs all the way to the top.
5th Station is situated 2300 m above sea level and is the most popular station for visitors and often the startbase for climbers before their ascent to Mount Fuji. Not only can you experience the great view of the mountain but you can also get a great view towards the Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone nationalpark from Komitake Shrine situated just behind the large shop at 5th Station. In the shop you can buy food, drinks, snacks and small oxygen bottles in a can!
I am so greatful for getting the chance to visit 5th Station as it has been my dream for a long time. While staying in Tokyo I can highly recommend a visit to 5th Station.
5th Station is situated 2300 m above sea level and is the most popular station for visitors and often the startbase for climbers before their ascent to Mount Fuji. Not only can you experience the great view of the mountain but you can also get a great view towards the Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone nationalpark from Komitake Shrine situated just behind the large shop at 5th Station. In the shop you can buy food, drinks, snacks and small oxygen bottles in a can!
I am so greatful for getting the chance to visit 5th Station as it has been my dream for a long time. While staying in Tokyo I can highly recommend a visit to 5th Station.
Written 9 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelove58
15,579 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This is probably the closest point that anyone can get to see the beautiful Mt Fuji & its surrounding landscapes, besides hiking. Mt Fuji is the famous, majestic & symbolic icon of Japan - a must see attraction esp when in Tokyo. Something that we have always wanted to see close but never done so in our many Japan trips, till now. As expected, the place is swarmed with bus loads of tourists, very crowded. The souvenir store was like a fish market.
Written 11 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PHLim_SG
Singapore, Singapore138 contributions
July 2023 • Solo
Ah, what an exciting adventure we find ourselves on! It's that splendid time of the year, the warm embrace of summer, when Mount Fuji sheds its iconic white hat and basks in the golden rays of the sun. Imagine standing amidst nature's grandeur as Mount Fuji unveils its full, awe-inspiring glory.
As you explore this remarkable place, don't forget to indulge in the delightful array of souvenirs that await you in the charming local shops. But here's the twist: the most breathtaking view of Mount Fuji can be found in a rather unexpected place - right in front of the public washrooms at the illustrious 5th station! It's a quirky discovery that adds a touch of whimsy to your visit.
So, pack your sense of wonder and set off to witness Mount Fuji's summer spectacle. You'll return not only with cherished mementos but also a unique tale of panoramic views from a most unusual vantage point. Happy travels, my adventurous friend!
As you explore this remarkable place, don't forget to indulge in the delightful array of souvenirs that await you in the charming local shops. But here's the twist: the most breathtaking view of Mount Fuji can be found in a rather unexpected place - right in front of the public washrooms at the illustrious 5th station! It's a quirky discovery that adds a touch of whimsy to your visit.
So, pack your sense of wonder and set off to witness Mount Fuji's summer spectacle. You'll return not only with cherished mementos but also a unique tale of panoramic views from a most unusual vantage point. Happy travels, my adventurous friend!
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jayati R
Hartford, CT110 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
MT. Fuji San is an utmost beautiful place to visit when visiting Japan. Lucky enough to see Mt. Fuji in a clear blue sky.
The weather here is so unpredictable that one plan to go and see the Mountain comes back with utter disappointment due to being cloudy.
The weather here is so unpredictable that one plan to go and see the Mountain comes back with utter disappointment due to being cloudy.
Written 4 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler F
4 contributions
June 2024 • Family
This was a really enjoyable tour. Our guide, Tsubasa, was informative and helped us stay on track throughout the day. I hope that we have him as a guide in our other tours.
We were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the top of the mountain. There was also a nice lake cruise.
We were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the top of the mountain. There was also a nice lake cruise.
Written 11 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
coloradotrigirl
176 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Let me start by saying, I hiked this with my family which includes a 12 and 15 year old. We live at 7000 feet and hike often. Please adjust the advise base on your level of fitness and experience. Overall it will provide you with good tips not found in any other online review.
1. There are four trails to hike Fuji. They range in steepness and in length. There's a ton of information on the Internet on this so I won't elaborate further. The Yoshida trail was what we took as it was the one closest to our hotel in Lake Kawaguchiko. This also had the most stations which had food and water. There are no trash cans and you must bring your trash with you.
2. Hike during the day. We started at 5 am on the The Yoshida Trail which starts at the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station and leads to the summit from the north side of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture. We were done well before lunch. The 5th station was a zoo when we returned and so glad we hiked it in the morning, It was clear and very few people were on the trail. There were a ton of people beginning their ascent when we came down and couldn't imagine getting stuck in the crowd.
3. Take a taxi to the 5th station. To hike this early, you'll need a taxi to get there. We reserved the taxi the night before. Our hotel helped set this up and negotiated a better deal for us. It was expensive but worth every penny. The first bus leaves from the Kawaguchiko train station at 6:45 and takes an hour to get to the 5th station. The day was going to be clear and hot. We would have suffered greatly if we waited until 8am to climb. Take the taxi back to your hotel too. There are many in queue at the 5th station and it only took a half hour to get back to our hotel vs the hour bus ride.
4. Don't rest on one of the station benches without asking or buying something first. Seems simple but you're not always thinking about etiquette when you're tired and coming across a very welcoming bench!
5. The stations are well stocked. So there's no need to bring anything but a small tote to carry your trash. We purchased a banana, water and even a Red Bull at the 8th station ;). I'd highly recommend a Red Bull about that time in the climb again ;)
6. Buy a hiking stick. I know they look touristy but you can have a stamp burned into it at each station. My son wanted one but we thought they were a bit touristy. In hind sight, I wish he'd bought one. Each stamp is about 200 to 300 yen. Most Japanese peaks have their own stamp and you can continue to collect stamps.
7. There are several vendors at the top that sell small trinkets and goods. We bought pins for 700 yen which included a date stamp for free. I'd highly recommend this.
8. If you plan to stay overnight at a station, pick one of the last two stations. They looked nice and I am sure the views at night are just as spectacular! There was a festival in Lake Kawaguchiko on August 4 and 5th which shot off an hour long fireworks which would have been visible from the stations.
9. This is a sacred place for the Japanese. Stop and appreciate the rituals.
10. Going down sucks! There is no way to sugar coat this. There is a separate trail for the descent that is a few miles longer and at a consistent grade. We ran down and slipped on the loose gravel a few times. This is where good trail running shoes would have been helpful. We had high end running shoes and ruined them on the descent. The fine dust got everywhere and we had to empty our shoes and socks three times on the way down.
11. What to wear: we wore a sleeveless top, shorts and running shoes and all brought a long sleeve top for the last 1,000 meters. It helped with the sun as well as the cold. The only thing I would change is our shoe type and I'd bring a buff to shield my mouth during the descent. You will have the fine dust everywhere!!! It's best not to breathe it in!
12. Enjoy the hike and the Japanese. The Japanese were extremely friendly and hospitable! Everyone you pass will say hello or good morning...etc. Try to learn a few phrases in Japanese before you go. You will use them along the hike. Also, several asked to take our picture and wanted to chat. We enjoyed their company and took a few minutes out of time at the summit to answer their questions.
It was a great experience and worth every penny! I'd highly recommend this hike no matter your age or ability! (We saw kids as young as 6 climbing it!). Don't hold back because you think it's "hard". The only regret you'll have is that you didn't do it! Climb on!
1. There are four trails to hike Fuji. They range in steepness and in length. There's a ton of information on the Internet on this so I won't elaborate further. The Yoshida trail was what we took as it was the one closest to our hotel in Lake Kawaguchiko. This also had the most stations which had food and water. There are no trash cans and you must bring your trash with you.
2. Hike during the day. We started at 5 am on the The Yoshida Trail which starts at the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station and leads to the summit from the north side of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture. We were done well before lunch. The 5th station was a zoo when we returned and so glad we hiked it in the morning, It was clear and very few people were on the trail. There were a ton of people beginning their ascent when we came down and couldn't imagine getting stuck in the crowd.
3. Take a taxi to the 5th station. To hike this early, you'll need a taxi to get there. We reserved the taxi the night before. Our hotel helped set this up and negotiated a better deal for us. It was expensive but worth every penny. The first bus leaves from the Kawaguchiko train station at 6:45 and takes an hour to get to the 5th station. The day was going to be clear and hot. We would have suffered greatly if we waited until 8am to climb. Take the taxi back to your hotel too. There are many in queue at the 5th station and it only took a half hour to get back to our hotel vs the hour bus ride.
4. Don't rest on one of the station benches without asking or buying something first. Seems simple but you're not always thinking about etiquette when you're tired and coming across a very welcoming bench!
5. The stations are well stocked. So there's no need to bring anything but a small tote to carry your trash. We purchased a banana, water and even a Red Bull at the 8th station ;). I'd highly recommend a Red Bull about that time in the climb again ;)
6. Buy a hiking stick. I know they look touristy but you can have a stamp burned into it at each station. My son wanted one but we thought they were a bit touristy. In hind sight, I wish he'd bought one. Each stamp is about 200 to 300 yen. Most Japanese peaks have their own stamp and you can continue to collect stamps.
7. There are several vendors at the top that sell small trinkets and goods. We bought pins for 700 yen which included a date stamp for free. I'd highly recommend this.
8. If you plan to stay overnight at a station, pick one of the last two stations. They looked nice and I am sure the views at night are just as spectacular! There was a festival in Lake Kawaguchiko on August 4 and 5th which shot off an hour long fireworks which would have been visible from the stations.
9. This is a sacred place for the Japanese. Stop and appreciate the rituals.
10. Going down sucks! There is no way to sugar coat this. There is a separate trail for the descent that is a few miles longer and at a consistent grade. We ran down and slipped on the loose gravel a few times. This is where good trail running shoes would have been helpful. We had high end running shoes and ruined them on the descent. The fine dust got everywhere and we had to empty our shoes and socks three times on the way down.
11. What to wear: we wore a sleeveless top, shorts and running shoes and all brought a long sleeve top for the last 1,000 meters. It helped with the sun as well as the cold. The only thing I would change is our shoe type and I'd bring a buff to shield my mouth during the descent. You will have the fine dust everywhere!!! It's best not to breathe it in!
12. Enjoy the hike and the Japanese. The Japanese were extremely friendly and hospitable! Everyone you pass will say hello or good morning...etc. Try to learn a few phrases in Japanese before you go. You will use them along the hike. Also, several asked to take our picture and wanted to chat. We enjoyed their company and took a few minutes out of time at the summit to answer their questions.
It was a great experience and worth every penny! I'd highly recommend this hike no matter your age or ability! (We saw kids as young as 6 climbing it!). Don't hold back because you think it's "hard". The only regret you'll have is that you didn't do it! Climb on!
Written 9 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy22L
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia613 contributions
Apr 2012 • Family
I visited Mt. Fuji 5th Station in early April this year. It was a pleasant 45 minute ascent by bus to the 5th Station as the road wasn't too winding. What I like most about this journey is that the landscape transforms into a beautiful winter wonderland with plenty of snow-covered alpine foliage!
The 5th Station occupies quite a large area and has parking bays, restaurants, souvenir shops, toilets and even a shrine. From here, one side of the gentle slope from the peak is visible and looks close enough to climb (although I haven't tried it yet!). There are some observation points which offer great views of the town/city below on a clear day.
If you are looking forward to playing with clean, white snow, I recommend that you walk further away from the common area where the buildings are located since the snow here gets trampled pretty often on a busy day. This recommended area would be on the right side where the buildings end. It's also much quieter here.
As with any mountainous area, the weather can be pretty unpredictable so dress warmly and bring along a windcheater. Also, be cautious when exploring as ice and snow can be very slippery.
The 5th Station occupies quite a large area and has parking bays, restaurants, souvenir shops, toilets and even a shrine. From here, one side of the gentle slope from the peak is visible and looks close enough to climb (although I haven't tried it yet!). There are some observation points which offer great views of the town/city below on a clear day.
If you are looking forward to playing with clean, white snow, I recommend that you walk further away from the common area where the buildings are located since the snow here gets trampled pretty often on a busy day. This recommended area would be on the right side where the buildings end. It's also much quieter here.
As with any mountainous area, the weather can be pretty unpredictable so dress warmly and bring along a windcheater. Also, be cautious when exploring as ice and snow can be very slippery.
Written 25 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SFBayAreaTrekker
San Francisco Bay Area (CA)563 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Can one get two peeks at Mt. Fuji during the same visit following typhoons? Generally no, and during our visit at the Fifth Station, the cloud covering was so dense you could barely make out Fuji-san's shoulders. But this was the closest we would get to Mt. Fuji without hiking to the summit, and being so close was just as inspiring.
The Fifth Station is the highest point a visitor can reach via motor vehicle. The Fifth Station is also often not open to vehicles as it is starting point for the adventurous who want to have a personal experience with Mt. Fuji and are hiking to her summit. When accessible to motor vehicles, tour buses have a better chance to reach this point than a private car.
You will find stores for limited supplies and souvenirs.
The Fifth Station is the highest point a visitor can reach via motor vehicle. The Fifth Station is also often not open to vehicles as it is starting point for the adventurous who want to have a personal experience with Mt. Fuji and are hiking to her summit. When accessible to motor vehicles, tour buses have a better chance to reach this point than a private car.
You will find stores for limited supplies and souvenirs.
Written 15 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim S
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States258 contributions
July 2014 • Friends
Most of the guides and webpages you will find when researching Mt Fuji are geared towards the general population, not an endurance athlete such as runner, cyclist, or triathlete. I just completed a marathon this spring (3:18) and currently am near my peak training for a 70.3 half ironman so I can offer some advice for those who are in similar condition and looking to climb Mt Fuji.
When to climb? 1 day or 2?
I'm sure the sunrise at the top is amazing, but I chose to skip it for several reasons:
- Tons of people are climbing to see the sunrise and the path is narrow most of the time so passing is difficult. If you climb on the same schedule as all the other people (including people who need to take a rest every switchback) the climb will take a lot longer since you wont really be free to go at your own pace. The goal for Mt Fuji is completion, not how fast you can do it. It's fine if some people need to go slower, but I personally wanted to go my own pace and not get held up by slower people.
- Jet leg sucks and sleeping for just a few hours in one of thouse huts would make it even worse
- The Huts are not anything near a hotel, it's a relatively open area where they cram in a bunch of strangers on the floor to sleep next to eachother (some may be slightly nicer than this, but overall I still wouldn't want to sleep in one of these).
- Hiking in the dark seemed like it would be difficult and now that I've done it during the day I think it would be really hard to see where you're going and make sure you're headed on the correct trail. Also when hiking in the dark you would miss all the good views along the way (which there where plenty, some better than the view from the top since it was cloudy when we got there).
- The longer you're on the mountain, the more stuff you need to carry on your back (food, water, etc) which makes the climb that much more difficult.
- I didn't want this to take up my entire weekend
All that being said, traveling from Nagoya to Fuji, climbing the mountain, then traveling back all within the same day made for a very long and exhausting day. I'm glad we choose to do it this way, but I would only recommend it for people who are in very good shape (could run, bike, or other endurance type activity for several hours consistantly). Otherwise, you might get stuck on the mountain with the sun going down and not enough time to get back to your hotel.
Which Trail?
We decided on the Subashiri trail because it was one of the less popular trails. Less people on the trail allowed us to climb at our own pace pretty much the entire time. Also, it starts at a little lower elevation than the main trails (Yoshida and Fujinomia) so the beginning was below the tree line and had a little different scenery climbing through the forest for a little while. I think Gotemba is the same way. Another key point is this trail has a seperate section for going down. That section allowed you to go much faster on the way down since there weren't as many switch backs and the trail was mostly fine rocks, almost like sand. You could run at some points, which actually felt easier than walking, but most of the time was a motion similar to downhill skiing. Eventually this became pretty hard on my legs but it was worth it to be able to come down so quickly.
How long does it take?
5:30am - departed Nagoya downtown by car
9:00am - arrived and parked at the town of Gotemba. From here we needed to take the bus from the parking lot up to Subashiri 5th Station. During peak times they don't allow you to drive up to the 5th station yourself.
9:45am - Begin hike
3:15pm - Arrived at the summit. It took us 5.5hrs inclluding stops for water, pictures, and to allow some of the people i was with to catch up. We stopped often, at every station and most 1/2 stations and the stops were not short. I was with a few other people who weren't in quite as good shape so I climbed at my own pace and waited for them to catch up at each station. My actual cimbing time was under 3hrs. I think I could have gone straight through and not stopped at all, maybe 3.5hrs worst case if i was on my own. It is fairly risky to climb too quickly, I think people are more suseptable to altitude sickness if they climb too fast. So stopping more than you really need to is probably a good idea.
4:15pm - Begin descent down the mountain
6:00pm - Arrive at the subashiri 5th station. Going down was much faster and hardly ever stopped.
about 4 hrs to travel back to hotel in Nagoya.
It was starting to get dark by the time we reached the 5th station so any longer and it would have become somewhat dangerous or at least a much slower pace.
Difficulty?
It's difficult to compare this to a running race or triathlon, but I think it's close to the difficulty of a half marathon. It's nowhere near as hard as a full marathon so if you can run a full, you will have no problem finishing Fuji. There are a few aspects that make it difficult in different ways though. The constant stepping up and use of the quads is more similar to cycling than running so if you're stricktly a runner, you may have a more difficult time than someone with some biking experience. However, the climb is not exactly easy on your joints so a cyclist who doesn't run much may have an equally hard time. Either way, if you run and/or bike regularly and can go for 2-3hrs at a time, you should have no problem finishing the hike in similar timing as I did with all the stops included. Some of the other guys i was with don't run or bike and they just didn't have the lung capacity to go at a steady pace.
Note for a non-athlete who may be reading this and getting intimidated: Yes you should train at least a little bit for this hike, but I think most people (even those who aren't in good shape at all) are capable of climbing Fuji if spread out over a long enough period. Just plan for the typical 2 day hike like most people do.
What to wear/pack?
I started with running shorts and tech fabric T-shirt. Added a long sleave compression shirt around 7 station with gloves and hat, then running tights under my shorts at 8 station, then a jacket at 9 station. Periodically had to put on a rain poncho big enough to cover my bag too. Changed to dry socks at 9 station. Be aware the weather changes very quickly and without warning. Even at 8 station we experienced about 0deg C, 20MPH gusting winds and hard rain, then 20 minutes later was sunny and clear at 9 station.
I don't own hiking boots and I can't think of a shoe that’s more confortable, stable, agile, but still lightweight than my running shoes so I decided to wear them. I'm happy with my choice. The climb up was perfectly fine with running shoes. The specific trail for going down is made of very loose fine pebble almost like sand, so your feet will slide as the sandy surface gives way. It make for a quick descent, however the sand and pebbles would keep going over the height of my shoe and getting inside my shoes and socks. I found a good solution was to wrap plastic bags around my feet over my socks inside the shoe and tuck the top of the bag into my running tights so no sand could get it. This worked great until one of the bags ripped. So bring a few spares if you try this method. Even with hiking boots, i think you'll end up with a lot of sand inisde.
I packed a backpack with the clothes listed above, camera, plenty of food (about 10 energy bars, nuts, bananas), and about 2L of water (which was plenty for me, but others drank 3L). Pack as light as you can. Use a backpack with chest and waist buckle if you have one.
Hope this helps.
When to climb? 1 day or 2?
I'm sure the sunrise at the top is amazing, but I chose to skip it for several reasons:
- Tons of people are climbing to see the sunrise and the path is narrow most of the time so passing is difficult. If you climb on the same schedule as all the other people (including people who need to take a rest every switchback) the climb will take a lot longer since you wont really be free to go at your own pace. The goal for Mt Fuji is completion, not how fast you can do it. It's fine if some people need to go slower, but I personally wanted to go my own pace and not get held up by slower people.
- Jet leg sucks and sleeping for just a few hours in one of thouse huts would make it even worse
- The Huts are not anything near a hotel, it's a relatively open area where they cram in a bunch of strangers on the floor to sleep next to eachother (some may be slightly nicer than this, but overall I still wouldn't want to sleep in one of these).
- Hiking in the dark seemed like it would be difficult and now that I've done it during the day I think it would be really hard to see where you're going and make sure you're headed on the correct trail. Also when hiking in the dark you would miss all the good views along the way (which there where plenty, some better than the view from the top since it was cloudy when we got there).
- The longer you're on the mountain, the more stuff you need to carry on your back (food, water, etc) which makes the climb that much more difficult.
- I didn't want this to take up my entire weekend
All that being said, traveling from Nagoya to Fuji, climbing the mountain, then traveling back all within the same day made for a very long and exhausting day. I'm glad we choose to do it this way, but I would only recommend it for people who are in very good shape (could run, bike, or other endurance type activity for several hours consistantly). Otherwise, you might get stuck on the mountain with the sun going down and not enough time to get back to your hotel.
Which Trail?
We decided on the Subashiri trail because it was one of the less popular trails. Less people on the trail allowed us to climb at our own pace pretty much the entire time. Also, it starts at a little lower elevation than the main trails (Yoshida and Fujinomia) so the beginning was below the tree line and had a little different scenery climbing through the forest for a little while. I think Gotemba is the same way. Another key point is this trail has a seperate section for going down. That section allowed you to go much faster on the way down since there weren't as many switch backs and the trail was mostly fine rocks, almost like sand. You could run at some points, which actually felt easier than walking, but most of the time was a motion similar to downhill skiing. Eventually this became pretty hard on my legs but it was worth it to be able to come down so quickly.
How long does it take?
5:30am - departed Nagoya downtown by car
9:00am - arrived and parked at the town of Gotemba. From here we needed to take the bus from the parking lot up to Subashiri 5th Station. During peak times they don't allow you to drive up to the 5th station yourself.
9:45am - Begin hike
3:15pm - Arrived at the summit. It took us 5.5hrs inclluding stops for water, pictures, and to allow some of the people i was with to catch up. We stopped often, at every station and most 1/2 stations and the stops were not short. I was with a few other people who weren't in quite as good shape so I climbed at my own pace and waited for them to catch up at each station. My actual cimbing time was under 3hrs. I think I could have gone straight through and not stopped at all, maybe 3.5hrs worst case if i was on my own. It is fairly risky to climb too quickly, I think people are more suseptable to altitude sickness if they climb too fast. So stopping more than you really need to is probably a good idea.
4:15pm - Begin descent down the mountain
6:00pm - Arrive at the subashiri 5th station. Going down was much faster and hardly ever stopped.
about 4 hrs to travel back to hotel in Nagoya.
It was starting to get dark by the time we reached the 5th station so any longer and it would have become somewhat dangerous or at least a much slower pace.
Difficulty?
It's difficult to compare this to a running race or triathlon, but I think it's close to the difficulty of a half marathon. It's nowhere near as hard as a full marathon so if you can run a full, you will have no problem finishing Fuji. There are a few aspects that make it difficult in different ways though. The constant stepping up and use of the quads is more similar to cycling than running so if you're stricktly a runner, you may have a more difficult time than someone with some biking experience. However, the climb is not exactly easy on your joints so a cyclist who doesn't run much may have an equally hard time. Either way, if you run and/or bike regularly and can go for 2-3hrs at a time, you should have no problem finishing the hike in similar timing as I did with all the stops included. Some of the other guys i was with don't run or bike and they just didn't have the lung capacity to go at a steady pace.
Note for a non-athlete who may be reading this and getting intimidated: Yes you should train at least a little bit for this hike, but I think most people (even those who aren't in good shape at all) are capable of climbing Fuji if spread out over a long enough period. Just plan for the typical 2 day hike like most people do.
What to wear/pack?
I started with running shorts and tech fabric T-shirt. Added a long sleave compression shirt around 7 station with gloves and hat, then running tights under my shorts at 8 station, then a jacket at 9 station. Periodically had to put on a rain poncho big enough to cover my bag too. Changed to dry socks at 9 station. Be aware the weather changes very quickly and without warning. Even at 8 station we experienced about 0deg C, 20MPH gusting winds and hard rain, then 20 minutes later was sunny and clear at 9 station.
I don't own hiking boots and I can't think of a shoe that’s more confortable, stable, agile, but still lightweight than my running shoes so I decided to wear them. I'm happy with my choice. The climb up was perfectly fine with running shoes. The specific trail for going down is made of very loose fine pebble almost like sand, so your feet will slide as the sandy surface gives way. It make for a quick descent, however the sand and pebbles would keep going over the height of my shoe and getting inside my shoes and socks. I found a good solution was to wrap plastic bags around my feet over my socks inside the shoe and tuck the top of the bag into my running tights so no sand could get it. This worked great until one of the bags ripped. So bring a few spares if you try this method. Even with hiking boots, i think you'll end up with a lot of sand inisde.
I packed a backpack with the clothes listed above, camera, plenty of food (about 10 energy bars, nuts, bananas), and about 2L of water (which was plenty for me, but others drank 3L). Pack as light as you can. Use a backpack with chest and waist buckle if you have one.
Hope this helps.
Written 25 July 2014
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What are the hours of the stores here?
Written 20 July 2023
If we rent a car can we drive to the 5th station or is the road up for buses only? Going in May.
Written 7 March 2020
You can drive as well. Streets are not so wide however.
Written 8 March 2020
I'll be going in Tokyo this coming 27th of August, I would like to know if is there a good chance to see Mt. Fuji with a snow cap. And I would also like to know what is the average temp. in tokyo around that week. Thanks in advance.
Written 17 February 2020
We were there in September and it was very hot - unseasonably so. No snow on the Mountain then.
Written 23 February 2020
Is the station open on March second week? My family plans on going here between March 9 - 11 and I read that sometimes the snow prevents access? If it's closed, any alternative places to go? We'll be climbing Chureito first if that information helps.
Written 8 February 2020
I am not sure how the weather then will be as if the snowy condition continues, it's very likely it will be closed.
I am not sure if you are going there on your own or through a day tour which will be easier for the latter as your tour guide will provide "alternative" attractions to visit should the 5th station is closed and so you don't have to worry.
But if you are going there on your own, there are hot springs, museums, ropeway, and amusement theme parks around for you to visit, including cruise at Lake Ashi.
You can check out my recent reviews to Mount Fuji and its surrounding areas where I had visited (and also my earlier reviews back in 2013 when I first visited Hakone.
Do enjoy your trip!
Written 9 February 2020
I need an advise from you guys on my first trip to Tokyo in April 2020.
I would like to visit Hakone, Gotemba Outlet and mount Fuji in 2 days 1 Night. Is it enough time for me to visit the places mentioned above. My problem now is where should I stay for the 1 night at Hakone or Fujikawaguchiko. Or should I follow the day tour.
As I am going In April, I will wish to visit the Fuji Shubazakura festival.
Thank you
Written 19 August 2019
If you can afford it a private tour, no buses, will allow you to see 3 days of sites in 1 day. We did it and it was worth it. 14 hour day including stopping for dinner round trip from Tokyo
Written 21 August 2019
I am planning to do a day trip for 5 pax to the 5th station from tokyo on 23rd December, we all have the JR Pass, and staying around Nakano-Shimbashi Station. What will be the best route with the lease extra cost.
Written 16 December 2018
Mt. Fuji is closed in December for general visitors.
Skillful climbers are only permitted to enter the mountain.
Written 9 August 2019
We are planning to visit in late March.. would driving up to fifth station or taking the bus a better choice? Are snow tires needed in late March?
Written 14 December 2018
We took the 1 day tour bus to the 5th station which included a stop at Fujisan Heritage Centre,Hakone Cable Car Ride & Ship Cruise. It was great.
Written 15 December 2018
How far up do you have to go to be above the clouds? Do you have to hike to be above the clouds?
Written 29 October 2018
Yes level 5 is as far as you can access. Only once a year (according to tour guide) you can access above level 5.
Written 13 November 2018
i am taking my father to japan. we both have JR shinkansen pass. so if we are staying in shinjuku area and intention is to use our JR pass and cover atleast ropeway ( watch down Hakone ), lake ashi cruise, 5th station what is best way starting from shinjuku on JR ?
so which JR station so we get down at ?
then where do we catch ( and book ) the guided bus tour that will cover above 3 attractions and same bus drop us back to JR station so that we will return to Tokyo ? Think this will take one entire day.
Written 7 August 2018
Hi! Various tours provide Shinjuku pick-ups. Most are in partnership with Hotels, so meet-ups are in their lobbies. I suggest that you pick a tour with a hotel meet-up near your location. Even if the pick-ups and return points are usually the same, inquire before departure to make sure. Be punctual because most are strict with time. You may get Klook tours and refer to the feedback which one best fits you and your Dad. Here is my referral id: 7ZY4E for the discount voucher.
Written 9 August 2018
If staying in Hakone is it possible to get a bus to visit here??
Written 10 July 2018
I'm sure it is.. just ask your accommodation where the best pick up would be.
Written 11 July 2018
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