[Japan] Climbing Mount Fuji is actually not difficult (Climbing) [Part 2/4]

On this journey around Mount Fuji, we played around the mountain every day and our excitement and anticipation grew as we approached the summit.

[Japan] Climbing Mount Fuji is actually not difficult (climbing) [Part 2/4]

Climbing Mount Fuji is actually not difficult (see the "Preparation" article for information on equipment).

All set and waiting to depart, on the day before climbing, we went to bed early in anticipation of the challenge ahead.

The 5th Station at 2500 meters is often crowded with tourists, so it's important to be mindful of transportation arrangements before climbing.

It's worth noting that traffic arrangements need to be considered, as there are not only climbers but also many tourists heading to the fifth station for sightseeing. If your climb falls on a weekend or holiday, it's best to buy your tickets at the station in advance. As parking on the mountain is limited, those planning to drive should also leave early.

You can clearly see Mount Fuji from outside Kawaguchiko Station.

In the morning, we took the first bus to the fifth station from outside the Kawaguchiko Station. The bus slowly climbed the over 2,000-meter high fifth station at the Yoshida trailhead of Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji's charming allure attracts climbers from all over, making the entire bus crowded and lively.

Bus to the Mount Fuji fifth station at the front gate of Kawaguchiko rail station

The shuttle bus will take us to the Yoshida trailhead at the 5th Station, located at an elevation of 2,000 meters.

Even in the blazing sun, it felt quite cool at the fifth station, which is over 2,000 meters above sea level and around 5-10 degrees cooler than Kawaguchiko, making the cool temperatures perfect for climbing.

Before climbing, we visited a shrine to pray for a safe and successful climb.

There are four climbing routes, and Yoshida is one of the earliest and easiest to climb. 

The Yoshida trailhead is full of shops, and if you forgot to bring something, you can make final purchases here (prices here are acceptable, but they skyrocket beyond the trailhead). Climbing poles are a hot item here, even though most climbers have their own poles, because each mountain hut along the way can stamp them. Almost every climber will purchase one (without it, descending becomes extremely difficult).

The weather was very good that day, and we could clearly see the summit from the fifth station.

We arranged to climb on a weekday to avoid the crowds. The weather report before the climb showed sunny/cloudy days for the next few days, but on the day we reached the fifth station, the weather was clear and sunny. The high sun did not change our determination to climb.

Non-hikers can ride horses and walk on short sections of the hiking trail to enjoy the scenic views along the way.

Located near the trailhead, there is a small stall renting horses to tourists for transportation, leading them along the mountain path to the Yoshida Trailhead.

Along the way, the scenic views of the Fuji Five Lakes can be seen (the picture shows Lake Kawaguchi).

Climbing along the Yoshida Line, one can enjoy the panoramic views of the Fuji Five Lakes around Mount Fuji.

Starting the climb at a leisurely pace, the beautiful scenery along the way includes a view of Lake Kawaguchi, where one was a few hours ago, and a distant view of the bright Lake Motosu. Before realizing it, one arrives at the Yoshida Trailhead, and the mountain climbing journey officially begins!

After walking for 30 minutes from the station, one arrives at the Yoshida Trailhead, and the mountain climbing journey officially begins.

Signs along the way warn hikers not to push themselves too hard, as accidents have occurred due to excessive fatigue.

Bullet climbing refers to the same-day round-trip night ascent to the summit. The Yoshida Line is a popular night route, starting from the fifth station and climbing through the night to the summit, just in time to catch the sunrise. Due to accidents caused by lack of sleep and exhaustion from night climbing, bullet climbing is prohibited.

Climbers are required to pay a voluntary environmental protection climbing fee of 1000 Japanese yen, which is used for natural protection by the environmental agency. Climbers will receive a small souvenir, which serves as a talisman for each climber. There are no restrooms between the sixth and seventh stations, so climbers are given a portable toilet bag in case of emergency.

The starting section is shaded by trees and is very easy.

The journey between the fifth and sixth stations is very easy, as there are trees everywhere along the way, blocking much of the intense sunlight. Additionally, the moderate temperature at high altitudes is accompanied by refreshing mountain winds blowing from time to time, like air conditioning. The sixth station is reached in about half an hour.

The real challenge begins at the sixth station, where the road becomes difficult to walk on as there is no cover, and it is paved with gravel.

The view along the way from the sixth station is the crescent-shaped Lake Motosu.

The real test begins at the sixth station where the road becomes entirely unpaved, and there is no cover from the scorching sun. The path is entirely covered in volcanic rocks that make it difficult to walk, with every step feeling like walking on shifting sands. To prevent volcanic eruptions, there are many evacuation facilities along the sixth and seventh stations. These man-made facilities make some parts of the climbing route easier to traverse.

There is less gravel on both sides of the road, and everyone tends to walk near the edges.

It takes about an hour to walk between the sixth and seventh stations, and rest stops become more frequent. In the thin air of the high mountains, one should move slowly to adapt. Excitement slowly fades away as the long and arduous journey is the ultimate test of a climber's perseverance. Looking up from the bald ridge at the sixth station, one can see the seemingly endless climb to the summit.

At the seventh station, mountain huts begin to appear, marking the start of another challenging phase of the climb.

You can ask the hut owners to stamp your climbing stick as a souvenir.

After passing through the rocky sixth station, you will reach the first mountain hut at the seventh station. From there, the climb becomes even more challenging as the terrain becomes steep and rugged, requiring the use of hands and feet to climb up the slopes.

Some parts of the trail are rocky and require the use of both hands.

Each mountain hut has a small shop, but the prices are three to five times higher than normal. The huts also offer a service to stamp your climbing stick with a unique emblem. Most climbers collect stamps from each hut they pass as a keepsake. The cost for each stamp is around 300-400 Japanese yen. If you experience difficulty breathing, the huts also sell compressed air.

You can buy supplies at the shop, but the prices are much higher than at the foot of the mountain, and increase as you climb higher.

The seventh station is at an altitude of 2,700 meters, and climbers must begin to adjust to the thinner air. It is important to find a comfortable pace and reduce unnecessary breathing, which can be achieved by taking slow and steady steps. Along the way, it is easy to lose count of how many mountain huts you pass, but the towering torii gates serve as a constant reminder of the summit ahead.

At an altitude of 3,000 meters, the air becomes thinner, so it is important to slow down to reduce the risk of oxygen deprivation.

Reaching the eighth station, which is marked at the 3,000-meter point, is a significant milestone. It takes about one and a half hours to reach this point, and by this time, the sun is starting to set, and the temperature is getting colder.

As the sun slowly sets, we need to hurry up and pick up the pace.

In the mountains, clouds often come floating by, covering the entire scenic view outside the mountain.

During dusk, clouds and mist often rise up from the mountainside, surrounding the mountain ridge and signaling us to hurry up and climb.

When we reached the eighth station, the scenery during dusk was quite spectacular.

Before it got dark, we finally arrived at the eighth station's lodging - the Edo House.

The small lodging house we stayed in was located at the eighth station, but we still needed to climb another 400 meters. Don't underestimate this short distance, as it took almost an hour to complete in an environment with strong winds and flying sand above 3,000 meters. After much hardship, we arrived at the Edo House (altitude 3,440 meters) just before sunset. The temperature difference between day and night was extreme, and our hands were stiff from the cold. Seeing other climbers continue to advance towards the summit, we couldn't help but admire their perseverance. The environment on the summit at night must be even more challenging.

We unexpectedly had a hot curry hamburger steak for dinner at an altitude of 3,000 meters.

Fortunately, we chose to climb on a non-holiday day, so the rooms were not overcrowded.

The mountain hut only had basic facilities, and water was scarce on the mountain. However, the cool breeze along the climb made it bearable, and we barely sweat much, enduring through a night of hardship. In terms of food, the hot meals provided by the small lodging house were like a lifesaver, injecting heat into our shivering bodies. We didn't have any expectations for these temporary lodgings for climbers, and we only hoped for a safe and warm resting place. When we saw the host of the lodging house serve up a hot curry hamburger steak, it was definitely an unexpected surprise on our journey.

As night fell, the wind outside the house grew stronger, and the windows rattled all night long. After dinner, everyone tried to get as much rest as possible to prepare for tomorrow's climb towards the summit at dawn. With tired bodies, we all went to bed early.


Next article:

Climbing Mount Fuji is actually not difficult (Sunrise Summit)

[Japan] Climbing Mount Fuji is actually not difficult (Sunrise Summit) 


Previous articles:
Climbing Mount Fuji is actually not difficult (Preparation)
[Japan] Climbing up Mount Fuji is not difficult (Preparation)

Hiking information:

Kawaguchiko Shuttle Bus Schedule

www.fujiyama-navi.jp/static/fujitozan/img/pdf_tw/yoshida_trail.pdf

Distribution of mountain huts, reservation and booking status
www.fujisanguide.com/forms/menutop/menutop.aspx?menu_id=1650

Mt. Fuji Information Website
www.fujiyama-navi.jp/

If you like my work, please subscribe to the page - bgfotologue