Climbing Mount Fuji in 2026
Trail status, mountain hut reservations and the new climbing fee. Everything to plan a safe summit during the official 2026 season.
The official climbing season runs from early July to mid September. Outside those dates trails are closed, huts are shut, and rescue capacity is limited. This guide covers what changed in 2026, how to book a hut, and the four trails compared.
Season dates and the 2026 fee
The Yamanashi side (Yoshida trail) opens 1 July 2026 and closes 10 September. The Shizuoka trails (Subashiri, Gotemba, Fujinomiya) open 10 July and close 10 September.
Yamanashi charges a 4000 yen per climber fee at the 5th station gate, plus a daily cap of 4000 climbers and a 14:00 cut off for upward traffic without a hut booking. Shizuoka charges 1000 yen per trail and asks all climbers to register online.
Pick the right trail
Yoshida is the most popular, with the most huts and the easiest bus access from Tokyo via Kawaguchiko. Expect crowds on weekends.
Fujinomiya is the shortest in distance but the steepest. Best if you are acclimatised and traveling from Kansai or Nagoya.
Subashiri threads through forest before opening above the tree line and offers the famous sand run descent. Quieter than Yoshida.
Gotemba is the longest, starts lowest, and has the fewest huts. Reserved for experienced hikers who want solitude.
Mountain hut reservations
Book the moment lines open in April. Popular huts on Yoshida sell out within hours for weekend dates in August.
A typical hut stay is 9000 to 14000 yen per person with two meals. You sleep in a shared bunk, lights out at 20:00, wake at 01:00 for the summit push.
Walk in slots are essentially gone in 2026. Without a booking you cannot pass the upward checkpoint after 14:00.
Gear and altitude
Layered clothing rated to near freezing at the summit, even in August. A headlamp, gloves, a wind shell, 2 litres of water and a small first aid kit are mandatory.
The summit sits at 3776 metres. Spend at least 30 minutes resting at the 5th station before starting, and consider altitude medication if you are sensitive.
FAQ
Can I climb Mt Fuji off season?+
It is strongly discouraged and effectively illegal on Yamanashi without a registered guide. Trails are closed, huts are shut, weather is severe and rescue is limited.
Do I need a guide?+
No, the trails are well marked and busy. A guide is recommended only if it is your first high mountain or you climb in shoulder season.
How fit do I need to be?+
If you can walk briskly uphill for six hours with a small pack, you can climb Fuji. The challenge is altitude and overnight cold, not technical difficulty.
