Planning to hike up Mount Fuji this summer? We’ve got you covered with everything you’ll need to know before making your trip. From new climbing fees to the best time to go, and the trail most suitable for you, all you’ll have to do is book your trip NOW!

Mount Fuji is one of the most iconic mountains in the world. And for most typical Japan-loving Singaporeans, it’s one of the must-sees on your trips there. But beyond just admiring it from a distance, why not make an ascent up the majestic mountain instead? Of course, if you’re looking to just admire the mountain from afar, we’ve also found some of the best places with the best views of Mount Fuji. Bookmark this Mount Fuji guide to get started!

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Mount Fuji Guide For First Timers 2024: Factors To Consider

1. When To Climb

Image credits: Unsplash

The climbing season for Mount Fuji is usually between early July to early September. In 2023, the Yoshida Trail opened from 1 July to 10 September while the other trails opened from 10 July to 10 September. This year’s climbing season is expected to follow suit. But be sure to keep a lookout on their official website for when they release the official dates!

Going up the mountain is a popular activity for both locals and tourists, and the peak season is usually during the school vacation period which starts in the later part of July till the end of August. So if massive crowds aren’t your thing, your best bet would be to plan your trip on a weekday in the earlier part of July. The downside is that the weather tends to be slightly more unstable in the earlier part of the climbing season, so you’ve got to take that into consideration too. 

Mount Fuji Guide For First Timers 2024: Find out more here

2. Climbing Fees (taking effect from July 2024 onwards)

Image credits: Forbes India

Climbers are usually asked to contribute an optional ¥1,000 (~S$8.80) at the start of each trail for maintenance purposes. However,  a climbing fee of ¥2,000 (~S$17.92) will be implemented from July 2024 during the climbing season for those intending to take the popular Yoshida Trail from the Yamanashi Prefecture. The fee was introduced in a bid to ease congestion and discourage climbers from unsafe practices like rushing to make it to the summit within a day — a hazard for those not acclimated to the altitude. However, if you’d rather not pay the fee, the other trails will still be free of charge to visitors.

Mount Fuji Guide For First Timers 2024: Find out more about the climbing fee here

3. The Trails 

It’s important to pick the right trail for your ascent according to your fitness levels and what you’re comfortable with. The mountain is divided into 10 segments or ‘stations’,  with the first station being the furthest (at the foot of the mountain) and the tenth at the summit. 

There are four 5th stations on different sides of the mountain, which is where the paved paths end. This is also where most people start their ascent. 

Image credits: Japan-Guide

Here are the four trails ranging from easiest to most challenging, as well as their features and how to get there from Tokyo: 

🗻 Yoshida Trail 

• The ascent takes around 5-7 hours and the descent takes 3-5 hours.
• The Yoshida trail is the most accessible start point with multiple huts along the 7th to 8th station which provide plenty of options for rest as you make the ascent.
• The sun also rises from that side of the mountain so you don’t necessarily have to make it to the top to catch the sunrise.
• This trail is the most popular of the four so you’d have to pay a climbing fee and may be met with crowds and queues along the way. 

🚗 How to get there (by car): It takes around 2 hours to get from Tokyo to the base of the mountain. Set your GPS to ‘Komitake Shrine, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture’. Park your car at the Fuji Hokuroku Parking and take the shuttle bus up to the station. 

🚌 How to get there (by bus): Purchase a ticket to Yoshida Trail Station 5 from the Shinjuku Nishiguchi Bus Terminal. Each ticket costs ¥2,700 (~S$24.30)

Mount Fuji Guide For First Timers 2024: Find out more about Yoshida Trail here

🗻 Fujiyomiya Trail 

• The ascent takes around 4-7 hours and the descent takes 2-4 hours.
• This trail is the second most popular trail because the start point is at the highest altitude of the four, which means the shortest distance from the summit.
• However, the trail is steeper and rockier than the Yoshida Trail, hence the difficulty. It’s pretty easy to navigate since the trails ascending and descending the mountain are the same.
• However, the full sunrise can only be seen from the summit so you would have to make sure to make it to the top if catching the sunrise is your goal. 

🚗 How to get there (by car): Set your GPS to ‘Mizugatsuka’ and drive along Route 152 to Fujinomiya Trail Station 5. During climbing season, you’d have to park your car at the Mitzugatsuka Park and take the shuttle bus up to the station. 

🚌 How to get there (by bus): Take a bus from Tokyo station to the Fujinomiya station from the Yaesu Minami Guchi Exit. At Fujinomiya station, purchase a ticket that will take you to Fujinomiya Trail Station 5. Both tickets cost ¥4,600 (~S$41.40) and the whole trip takes about 4 hours to the start. 

Mount Fuji Guide For First Timers 2024: Find out more about Fujinomiya Trail here

🗻 Subashiri Trail 

• The ascent takes around 5-8 hours and the descent takes 3-5 hours.
• The trail starts and ends in a forested area that can be quite difficult to navigate, especially since the trails to ascend and descend the mountain are different.
• The trail merges with the Yoshida Trail after Station 8, so be prepared for crowds and queues during peak seasons. 

🚗 How to get there (by car): Set your GPS to ‘Komitake Shrine, Oyama, Shizuoka Prefecture’. During the climbing season, you’d have to park your car at the Michi no eki Subashiri and take the shuttle bus up to the station. 

🚌 How to get there (by bus): Take the train from Tokyo Station to Gotemba Station (transiting at Mishima Station to change lines). From Gotemba station, take a bus to Subashiri Trail Station 5. The trip would cost ¥6,120 (~S$55.10) one way and the whole trip takes about 2.5 hours to the start. 

Mount Fuji Guide For First Timers 2024: Find out more about Subashiri Trail here

🗻 Gotemba Trail 

• The ascent takes around 7-10 hours and the descent takes 3-6 hours, making it the longest route of the lot.
• This trail is for seasoned climbers who have a bit more experience because of the difficulty of the trail.
• Station 5 of the trail is the lowest altitude start point, which is why the route is longer than the rest and the larger difference in altitude might also make it more difficult to acclimate.
• However, the views would make it worth it as the sunrise can be seen anywhere along the trail and descending down the mountain on volcanic sand is a treat for thrill-seekers.
• Be sure to be adequately equipped and prepared, since there are fewer huts and rest points along the way, especially in the event of an emergency. 

🚗 How to get there (by car):

Set your GPS to ‘Mizugatsuka’ and drive along route 152 to Gotemba Trail Station 5.

🚆 How to get there (by train): Take the train from Tokyo Station to Gotemba Station (transiting at Mishima Station to change lines). From Gotemba station, take a bus to Gotemba Trail Station 5. The trip would cost ¥6,120 (~S$55.10) one way and the whole trip takes about 2.5 hours to the start. 

Mount Fuji Guide For First Timers 2024: Find out more about Gotemba Trail here

3. What to Pack

Here are some of the must-haves on the trip to make your ascent more comfortable. 

• Hiking Shoes 
• Clothes (waterproof, for low temperatures and strong winds)
• Gloves
• Flashlight
• Food and Water 
• Cash 
• Hiking Stick (can be purchased at the 5th Station)

❗ Pro-Tip: Get up to 12% cashback on your hiking gear with amazon.sg via YouTrip Perks

Mount Fuji Guide For First Timers 2024: Find other YouTrip-exclusive deals here

Other Top Viewing Spots:

If you’re not too keen on making the climb but still want to catch a glimpse of the glorious Mount Fuji, then here are some of the best viewing spots and activities to do around the area!

1. Gotemba Premium Outlets

Image credits: Klook

Shopping’s great, but how about shopping with a view? Gotemba Premium Outlets has over 210 Japanese and international brands — and you get to have Mount Fuji as your backdrop while you shop! 

Address: 1312 Fukasawa, Gotemba, Shizuoka 412-0023, Japan

Opening Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM daily 

❗ Pro-Tip: Consider a Mount Fuji and Hakone day trip from Tokyo with Klook — plus get up to 5% cashback with YouTrip Perks!

YouTrip’s Mount Fuji Guide for First Timers 2024: Check out Gotemba Premium Outlets here

2. Miho no Matsubara Beach, Shizuoka

Image credits: TripAdvisor

Take a trip to the city of Shizuoka with plenty of activities and places to check out. Visit Miho no Matsubara Beach for a beautiful view of the mountain or check out the Smart Aquarium. For artefacts dating back to the Iron Age, head to the Toro Museum!

Address: 1338-45 Miho, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka, 424-0901, Japan

YouTrip’s Mount Fuji Guide for First Timers 2024: Check out Miho no Matsubara here

3. Lake Saiko

Image credits: Flickr

Lake Saiko gives you a beautiful close-up of Mount Fuji, but you can also visit the Saiko Bat Cave which was formed as a result of the eruption of Mount Fuji between 846AD and 866AD. The cave is nestled within Aokigahara Jukai Forest and expands over 350 meters. 

Address: 2068 Saiko, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0332, Japan

Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM daily

YouTrip’s Mount Fuji Guide for First Timers 2024: Check out Lake Saiko Bat caves here

4. Izu Panorama Park

Image credits: Klook

If you’re looking for a nice relaxing view of Mount Fuji, visit the Izu Panorama Park which is on the summit of Katsuragi mountain. There are restaurants, shops, and the Ao Terrace where you can sit back, relax, and soak your feet in nice warm water as you admire Mount Fuji from a distance. The mountain is accessible by cable car or Ropeway, so no climbing is required! 

Address: 260-1 Nagaoka, Izunokuni, Shizuoka 410-2211, Japan

Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5:30 PM daily

YouTrip’s Mount Fuji Guide for First Timers 2024: Check out Izu Panorama Park here

5. Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba

Image credits: Expedia

Also known as the Healing Village, Iyashi no Sato is a traditional Japanese village that has been reconstructed to resemble traditional Japanese houses from the past. The original village was destroyed by a landslide back in 1966 and is now an open-air museum with Mount Fuji in the background.

Address: Japan, 〒401-0332 Yamanashi, Minamitsuru District, Fujikawaguchiko, Saiko, 根場 ２７１０

Opening Hours: 9 AM – 4:30 PM daily

YouTrip’s Mount Fuji Guide for First Timers 2024: Check out Iyashi no Sato here

6. Lake Yamanakako Flower Park

Image credits: Lake Yamanakako

Admire the beauty of nature at Yamanakako Lake Flower Park. Expanding over 300,000 square meters with more than a million seasonal flowers all year round, it doesn’t get any more beautiful than that!

Address: Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park, 1650 Yamanaka, Yamanakako, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0501, Japan

Opening Hours: 9 AM – 4:30 PM daily

YouTrip’s Mount Fuji Guide for First Timers 2024: Tamanakako Lake Flower Park here

There Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

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Go climb that mountain!

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