Mount Fuji

Imagine climbing one of the world's most iconic mountains, the highest peak in Japan: Mount Fuji. For a few months each summer, Fuji's slopes are opened to visitors and you can! You don't need any special training or mountaineering gear to tackle Fuji - anybody can do it, from ten-year-old children to those in their seventies and older. There's nothing quite like watching the sun rise from the top as the mountain's great shadow stretches out across the Kanto plain.

“From my first climb in 2000 Mount Fuji has always been for me, the most beautiful symbol of Japan. The sunrise I witnessed in 2001, as the world far below me was suddenly bathed in the shining light of a new day will stay with me forever, a true magical moment”

Alastair Donnelly, Director

Standing at an impressive height, Japan Mount Fuji, also known as Fuji-san, is a majestic sight to behold. Located 59 miles as the crow flies from central Tokyo, it straddles the prefectures of Yamanashi and Shizuoka, both claiming the mountain as their own. The summit is 3776 m (12,388 ft) above sea level and marks the highest point of Japan. Every year tens of thousands set out on one of the four trails to conquer the summit, many climbing over night with the hope of a spectacular sunrise to reward the strenuous effort required to make it to the top.

Fuji-san is an active volcano. The last major eruption started on 16th December, 1707 (in old Japanese years, Hoei 4, 23rd Day of the 11th month) and ended around New Year's Day 1708. The Great Hoei Eruption blew a large crater in the side of the mountain, approximately half way up on the south-western slope, spewing and ash and cinders over vast swathes of the surrounding area including Musahsi Province, home to Edo City (modern day Tokyo). The disaster was compounded a year later when the large volume of ash fell in the immediate vicinity of the mountain caused destructive flooding which directly caused the permanent decline of Odawara City. At the time it was one of the most powerful in all of Japan with its position as the gateway to Edo.

Fuji-san is currently listed as being of low risk of eruption although a dramatic increase in low level seismic at the base of the mountain caused a lot of chatter amongst Japanese volcanologists between 2006 and 2008. The mountain has since calmed down and returned to a very dormant state.

Climbing Japan's Revered Mount Fuji

The first climb to the summit of Japan's Mount Fuij is said to have been made by a Buddhist Monk in 663 whose name is now lost in the annals of time. Today, around 200,000 people a year make the trek to the summit of this sacred mountain, some thirty percent of them foreigners.

Official climbing season is between 1st July and 31st August although a few weeks either side of these dates many of the mountain huts are open offering a place to bed down for a few hours on the way to the top. There are four routes to the top, Kawaguchiko, Subashiri, Gotemba and Fujinomiya. The usual path is to start at the 5th station of one of these routes, Fujinomiya being the closest to the summit at 2400 metres and Gotemba being the furthest at 1400 metres. It is possible to climb from the base and these historical routes are gradually increasing in popularity as they offer many historical sights such as temples, shrines and tea houses. There have even been sightings of bears along the Yoshida Trail but these impressive animals tend to shy away from contact with humans. The summit can be extremely cold, usually around freezing throughout the climbing season so make sure you are well prepared.

Japan Mount Fuji: Scenic Splendours

Without a doubt the best views of the mountain are to be had from the Fuji Five Lakes area to the north of the mountain. Perhaps the best of all are from Lake Kawaguchi and this area can be easily accessed from Toyo by bus from Shinjuku. Hakone, a national park area just to the south of Fuji-san, also offers spectacular view points especially outside of the warmer months when heat haze tends to obscure the mountain.

Japan Mount Fuji stands as a quintessential symbol of the nation, and witnessing this iconic peak is undoubtedly a highlight of any visit.

Accommodation
Weather & Climate

Recommended Accommodation in Mount Fuji

The following are our favourites from among the western-style hotels and Japanese-style inns of Mount Fuji.

Mount Fuji

Hon Hachigome Tomoekan

Budget

Weather in Mount Fuji

The Climate Guide for Mount Fuji, Japan is perfect for planning your holiday. Monthly weather averages give the best indication of what the weather is usually like for every month of the year including figures for temperature, rainfall and sunshine.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Max Daytime Temperature (°C)	7	7	10	16	20	23	26	28	24	19	14	9
Min Night-time Temperature (°C)	-4	-3	0	6	10	15	18	19	16	10	4	-1
Hours of Sunshine (Daily)	6	6	6	6	6	4	4	5	4	4	5	6
Hours of Daylight (Daily)	10	11	12	13	14	14	14	13	12	11	10	10
Heat and Humidity Discomfort	None	None	None	None	None	None	Low	Moderate	None	None	None	None
Days with some Rainfall	10	12	16	16	15	19	21	17	19	15	11	8
Monthly Rainfall (mm)	51	68	132	143	143	204	222	250	249	153	88	37
UV Index (Maximum)	3	4	6	8	9	10	11	10	8	6	3	2

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