[2026 Latest] The Complete Guide to Climbing Mt. Fuji! How Even Beginners Can Enjoy Mt. Fuji

This approximately 3.5-hour course allows you to see many remnants of the ancient worship of Mount Fuji and climb through nature. From the Yoshida 5th Station, you can go to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station and then take a local bus to Fujisan Station. It is less strenuous than climbing to the summit from the 5th station and is a course that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

This guide, complete with photos, shows the climbing route from the 5th station to the 8th station of Mt. Fuji's Subaru Line. Be sure to check it out before you climb Mt. Fuji!

This is a recommended course for beginners, starting from the 5th station. On the first night, you'll acclimatize your body at the 5th station and depart in the early afternoon. You'll stay at a mountain hut around the 7th or 8th station. On the second day, you'll wake up before sunrise and watch the sunrise near the mountain hut. You'll reach the summit before noon, so if you have time, you can also enjoy walking around the crater rim.

This is a classic route starting from the 5th station and watching the sunrise from the summit. On the first day, you'll acclimatize to the altitude at the 5th station and start climbing in the early afternoon. You'll take a short nap at a mountain hut around the 7th or 8th station and set off again in the middle of the night. The plan is to arrive at the summit at dawn and watch the sunrise from the top of Mount Fuji.

This is a relaxed 3-day, 2-night course to reach the summit. On the first day, you'll stay at a mountain hut between the fifth and seventh stations, allowing your body to slowly acclimatize to the altitude. On the second day, you'll watch the sunrise near the mountain hut before heading to the summit, and after reaching the top, you'll descend and stay at a mountain hut at the eighth station. On the third day, you'll enjoy the sunrise near the mountain hut again before setting off, and considering the fatigue from the previous two days, you'll descend slowly and without rushing. You'll arrive back at the fifth station before noon and begin your journey home.

Besides the climbing routes to the summit, Mount Fuji also offers trails accessible to the general public. One such trail is the Oniwa, Okuniwa, and Onakado course. Easily accessible by car or bus, the well-maintained walking path allows you to enjoy the unique scenery of Mount Fuji, a mix of lava, volcanic gravel, and coniferous forests.

Mount Niikura is easily accessible on foot from Shimoyoshida Station on the Fujikyu Railway Line, making it a convenient hiking course for those traveling by train. Furthermore, you can enjoy various views of Mount Fuji at different points along the course and near the summit.

This course is perfect for an adult getaway, offering breathtaking views of the majestic Mt. Fuji from Mt. Shakushi, as well as opportunities to enjoy hot springs, local cuisine, and the natural beauty of the countryside.

This is the historic Yoshida Trail, a route used since ancient times by people who worshiped Mount Fuji and aimed for the summit. It remains the only trail still accessible from the base to the summit. Enjoy a unique Mount Fuji climbing experience as you walk along this historically significant path.

This approximately 3.5-hour course allows you to see many remnants of the ancient worship of Mount Fuji and climb through nature. From the Yoshida 5th Station, you can go to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station and then take a local bus to Fujisan Station. It is less strenuous than climbing to the summit from the 5th station and is a course that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

This guide introduces a relatively easy hiking course where you take a local bus from Fujisan Station to Nakanochaya, rent hiking shoes there, and then hike to the second station of Mount Fuji and back.

Since you can rent shoes, this is a model course that can be easily incorporated into a trip that isn't primarily focused on mountain climbing. In addition, by using the showers and lockers at Nakanochaya, you can solve the problem of carrying heavy luggage and refresh yourself before moving on to your next destination.

This model course is perfect for those who are hesitant about serious mountain climbing or for families with children.

This course allows you to experience the awe-inspiring Mount Fuji up close while enjoying the unique charm of the towns at its base. You'll encounter various landscapes depending on the season and time of day, so be sure to find your favorite viewpoint.

The Mt. Fuji Radar Dome Museum opened in 2004 as a facility where visitors can learn about the history of the Mt. Fuji radar and weather observation in an enjoyable way. It displays the actual Mt. Fuji Radar Dome, which was installed on the summit of Mt. Fuji in 1964 and observed weather throughout Japan until 1999.

In 2022, the exhibit was completely revamped, adding disaster prevention content to the existing history of the Mt. Fuji radar and weather observations, making weather observations more accessible. The "Mt. Fuji Summit Cold Experience," where visitors can experience the sunrise and blizzards, has been enhanced with wind, video, and sound for a more immersive experience.

Please come and enjoy the history of the Mt. Fuji radar and the world of weather observation and disaster prevention at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, is something many people think they know, but surprisingly, they don't. The Fujisan Museum is a place where you can learn about all sorts of things related to Mount Fuji in an enjoyable way. The museum is equipped with the latest facilities, such as projection mapping onto a large 1/2,000 scale model of Mount Fuji and touch panel displays, allowing you to see, feel, and learn about the history of Mount Fuji and the town of Fujiyoshida at its foot from various angles. The museum shop also sells unique souvenirs with Mount Fuji motifs that can only be bought here, as well as textile products from Fujiyoshida's traditional industry, such as ties and towels. In autumn, the leaves along the walking paths within the facility turn a vibrant red, creating a beautiful sight, which is another one of its attractions.

Every year on July 1st, at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, the starting point of the Yoshida trail to Mount Fuji, the opening ceremony is held to report the opening of the climbing season to Sengen Okami and to pray for the safety of climbers and those involved with the climbing trail. This festival marks the start of the climbing season on Mount Fuji.

The "Mount Fuji Opening Ceremony Eve Festival" is held every year on June 30th, the day before the official opening of Mount Fuji to the public. Active members of the Fuji-ko (Fuji pilgrimage group) and local citizens participate in a parade from Kin-Torii Park to Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, the starting point of the Yoshida Trail to Mount Fuji. Upon arrival at the shrine, the Summer Purification Ceremony and the opening of the trail are performed, marking the start of the lively Mount Fuji climbing season.

The Fujizakura Festival is held in the area around Nakanochaya on the Yoshida trail of Mt. Fuji. The Fujizakura Festival, where the Fujizakura, the prefectural flower of Yamanashi Prefecture and the city flower of Fujiyoshida, blooms in profusion, attracts many visitors every year. In particular, the area around Nakanochaya is home to the largest cluster of Fujizakura trees in the prefecture, with 2 trees, and is designated as a national natural monument. We await you with warm hospitality, including a gift of potted flowers and complimentary tea.

The Mt. Fuji Hill Climb, one of Japan's largest hill climb events, takes place on the World Heritage site of Mount Fuji and attracts over 8000 cyclists. Starting at Fuji Hokuroku Park in Fujiyoshida City, participants compete over 24km (from the starting point) to the 5th station of Mount Fuji. With an astonishing completion rate of over 98%, it's an event that can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to advanced cyclists, and its popularity is such that slots fill up as soon as registration opens. The day before the race, there are plenty of events, including the "Cycle EXPO" with over 60 exhibitors and a "Talk Show" featuring celebrity guests. It's a big event that can be enjoyed by both those cheering and those being cheered for.

Photo credit: Mt. Fuji Hill Climb Race Organizing Committee

This marathon takes place in the late summer at the foot of Mt. Fuji, coinciding with the Yoshida Fire Festival, the biggest event in Fujiyoshida City. The course follows a section of the Mt. Fuji Yoshida trail and offers half marathon, 10km, 5km, and 2.5km (elementary and junior high school students) races, making it accessible even for beginners. Although there is an elevation difference of over 300m, the course is held at an altitude of over 1000m, making it relatively comfortable to run even in summer. This year, there will be many fun booths selling running gear and Yamanashi specialties such as peaches and wine. In addition, the popular special prize (display of bib number) will be held again this year.

This is one of Japan's premier mountain marathons, held against the backdrop of Mount Fuji, a World Heritage Site. It's a historic race that has continued for over 70 years since its first開催 shortly after the war, and is considered one of the grand slams for amateur runners.
The number of participants is limited to 3.776, a number chosen to reflect the altitude of Mount Fuji, but many runners compete for these spots every year. There are two courses: a summit course for advanced runners and a course to the fifth station for beginners. The summit course starts at the Fujiyoshida City Hall at an altitude of 770m, and runners compete over approximately 21km, passing through Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and the Yoshida trail to the summit of Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak. With an elevation difference of approximately 3,000m, it is the largest in Japan, and it is an extremely tough race with a completion rate of less than 50%. On the other hand, the course to the fifth station has a completion rate of about 98%, making it a level that even beginners can enjoy participating in.