First time climber from Tokyo
Yoshida. Direct buses, the most huts, first aid stations and a separate descent track.
Climbing
The four Mount Fuji trails.
Fuji has four official climbing routes, one on each flank. They differ in trailhead height, total ascent, hut density and how many people you share the path with. Here they are side by side.
Numbers
Side by side
| Trail | Side | Trailhead | Ascent | Up | Down | Huts | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoshida | North, Yamanashi | Subaru Line 5th station, 2305 m | 1470 m | 5 to 7 h | 3 to 5 h | Around 15 | Very busy |
| Subashiri | East, Shizuoka | Subashiri 5th station, 1970 m | 1810 m | 5 to 8 h | 3 to 5 h | Around 5 | Quiet |
| Fujinomiya | South, Shizuoka | Fujinomiya 5th station, 2380 m | 1400 m | 4 to 7 h | 2 to 4 h | Around 8 | Busy |
| Gotemba | South east, Shizuoka | Gotemba 5th station, 1440 m | 2340 m | 7 to 10 h | 3 to 6 h | 2 | Very quiet |
Times assume an average pace with breaks. Add an hour or more if you are carrying a heavy pack or climbing at night.
Choose
Which trail suits you
Sunrise from the crater rim
Yoshida or Fujinomiya. Both put you close to the rim with a hut stay at the 8th station.
Shortest climb
Fujinomiya. The highest trailhead and the least vertical gain.
Avoiding crowds
Subashiri. Forest at the bottom, the great sand run down, far fewer people.
A hard day out
Gotemba. Over 2300 m of ascent and almost no shelter, for experienced hikers only.
Rules
What applies on every route
All four trails are open only during the official climbing season, roughly early July to early September. Outside those dates the huts close, the buses stop and the trails are treated as an off season alpine climb. Every route now carries an entry system with a per climber fee, on Yoshida 4000 yen, and the Shizuoka trails apply their own charge and pre registration. Read the current rules on our permit and reservation page.
FAQ
Common questions
Which Mount Fuji trail is the easiest?
Fujinomiya has the least ascent because its trailhead sits at 2380 m, but it is steep and rocky. Most people find Yoshida easier overall thanks to gentler gradients, more huts and clearer signage.
Can you climb up one trail and down another?
Yes, but only if your transport allows. Yoshida and Subashiri share an upper path, which is why climbers regularly take the wrong descent and end up at the wrong 5th station. Watch the signs at the Hachigome junction.
Which trail has the sunrise view?
Every route reaches the crater rim, and sunrise is visible from the rim on all of them. Yoshida and Subashiri face east so you see first light before the summit.
How fit do you need to be?
Fuji needs no technical skill, but it is a long day at altitude. If you can walk uphill for six hours with a pack you can do Yoshida or Fujinomiya. Gotemba demands real hill fitness.
Plan