Start
Subashiri 5th station, 1970 m
Climbing
Subashiri Trail.
The east route. It starts lower than the others, so it begins in real forest, stays quiet most of the way, and gives you the Osunabashiri, a long volcanic sand slope you can run down in a fraction of the time it took to climb.
At a glance
Trail stats
Ascent
About 1810 m
One way distance
Around 6.5 km up
Time
5 to 8 hours up, 3 to 5 hours down
Mountain huts
Around 5
Side of the mountain
East, Shizuoka prefecture
Character
What the climb feels like
The first hour is shaded larch and birch forest, which no other Fuji trail offers. Above the treeline the path opens onto loose volcanic gravel and stays that way to the 8th station, where it merges with the Yoshida Trail for the final push. From that junction upwards you share the crowds; below it you may see only a handful of people.
The descent is the reason many climbers choose this side. The Osunabashiri drops roughly 1000 m of soft ash and cinder in long strides. Gaiters and a dust mask make it comfortable, and sunglasses help when the wind lifts the ash.
Because Subashiri joins Yoshida high up, mixing the two is the single most common navigation mistake on the mountain. At the Hachigome junction watch for the yellow Subashiri signs, or you will end up at the wrong 5th station and a long bus detour.
Access
Getting to the trailhead
From Tokyo
Odakyu or JR to Gotemba, then a seasonal bus to the Subashiri 5th station. Around 3 hours door to trailhead.
By highway bus
Direct buses run from Shinjuku to Gotemba station year round; the climbing bus above Gotemba runs in season only.
By car
Park in Gotemba during the traffic restriction period and take the shuttle. Outside those dates the road to the 5th station is open.
FAQ
Common questions
Is the sand run safe?
It is, with care. Keep your weight back, take short controlled strides and avoid it in poor visibility, when the featureless slope makes it easy to drift off the marked line.
Is Subashiri harder than Yoshida?
It is longer in vertical terms, about 340 m more ascent, and has fewer huts and shops. Fit hikers find it more pleasant; anyone wanting frequent shelter should choose Yoshida.
Can I climb Subashiri and descend Yoshida?
Yes, the trails share the upper section, but check bus times because the two 5th stations are on opposite sides of the mountain.
Which trail is best for avoiding crowds?
Subashiri below the 8th station, or Gotemba if you want almost nobody at all.
Plan