[Japan] Climbing up Mount Fuji is not difficult (Preparation) [Part 1/4]

In 2016, I accomplished an unforgettable feat: successfully climbing to the summit of Japan's highest peak, Mount Fuji.

[Japan] Climbing Mount Fuji is not difficult (preparation) [Part 1/4]

Japan designates July 1st of each year as the opening day of Mount Fuji, and this year I finally made up my mind to prepare and fulfill this long-awaited wish. Here, I share the preparation before the climb, climbing information, the climbing process, and a few personal experiences.

Let's start with the preparation before the climb:

The long climbing route is a test of the climber's endurance.

To fulfill the wish of climbing to the summit of Mount Fuji, it is necessary to prepare in advance: bring enough warm and windproof clothing, understand the requirements of various climbing routes, which one is more suitable for one's physical fitness, and pay attention to the weather during the climb, etc.

There is a great temperature difference between day and night up the mountain,
so it is necessary to take measures to keep warm.

To safely climb Mount Fuji, it is important to choose the right equipment. Here is a brief summary of the equipment that climbers must pay attention to before setting off:

The climbing route is covered with sharp and small pieces of gravel.

1. Climbing shoes
Climbing shoes are very important. Ordinary sports shoes are not able to cope with roads in bad condition, and there is a high chance of failure (my climbing shoes also failed in the last stage in this trip).

2. Cold-proof/windproof clothing

Prepare light and warm windproof clothing. When needed, layering is better than wearing single windbreaker to adapt to the changing condition on the mountain.

3. Raincoat/waterproof clothing
The mountain is often covered by clouds and intermittent rain.



4. Hat

You need to be prepared for sun protection along the way. It is best to have a hat with a rope or buckle. Occasionally, strong winds can be the enemy of hats.

5. Gloves

The road beyond the seventh station is very rugged, often requiring hands to climb, and the protruding rocks are quite sharp. It is best to prepare a pair of work gloves.

6. Trekking poles

A necessary item to reduce knee burden when going up and down the mountain. The wooden trekking poles purchased at the entrance shop are the most popular souvenirs for climbers.

7. Coins

All toilets on the mountain require payment, and there is no change available. Only a small portion of them have two exchange options.

8. Sunglasses/sunscreen

Most of the routes have no tree cover to prevent damage to the eyes and skin from intense sunlight.

9. Headlamp

A must-have for climbers who plan to climb at night to see the sunrise. Along the way, strong winds mixed with sand and stones, plus the need to use both hands and feet to deal with rugged mountain roads, it is not recommended to use handheld lighting equipment.

10. Water/dry food

Water: About one liter of water is enough to cope with climbing needs. Although the mountain huts sell food, the price is several times higher than that of the mountain foot.

11. Oxygen cylinder/altitude sickness medicine

From my personal experience, it is not unnecessary to take or purchase an oxygen cylinder. I did experience slight headache at night, which I believe was mild altitude sickness, but after sleeping for few hours, I had no further discomfort and continued climbing to the summit at an altitude of 3776 meters. If you slow down and take your time climbing up the mountain, better spend a night to adapt, most people should be able to adapt to the altitude of the Mount Fuji summit without any assistance.

The mountain huts on the mountain sell food, but the prices are several times higher than those on the ground.

Some sections of the trail are extremely rugged and require hand and foot climbing.

Basic Information:

"Goume"（合目／ごうめ） is a unit of traditional Japanese mountain height calculation. From the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain, it is divided into ten "Goume". The altitude of Mount Fuji is 600 meters at the first "Goume" and 2305 meters at the fifth "Goume" at the mountain waist. At an altitude of 3776 meters is the summit of the tenth "Goume".

Climbing route:

Climbing route map for each route

Most climbers use the fifth "Goume"（合目／ごうめ） as the starting point for climbing Mount Fuji, and there are four different routes to the summit for climbers to choose from.

Difficulty level of climbing routes:

(Easiest) "Yoshida Route" < "Fujinomiya Route" < "Subashiri Route" < "Gotemba Route" (Hardest)

This time, we chose the early opening Yoshida climbing route:

Yoshida climbing route map

There are multiple transportation options to and from the Yoshida Trailhead located at the fifth "Goume":

Transportation to-and-from the Mount Fuji climbing trails 

The four routes to the summit of Mount Fuji are:

The Fujinomiya Trail is the most convenient route for transportation if departing from Tokyo, and it is also the most popular climbing route.

I also took this route this time.

Trailhead: Fujinomiya 5th Station (altitude 2305 meters)

Ascent time: about 6 hours

Descent time: about 3 hours

The Subashiri Trail initially passes through primitive forests, and the forest changes along the way are more diverse.

Trailhead: Subashiri Trailhead 5th Station (altitude 1970 meters)

Ascent time: about 7 hours

Descent time: about 3 hours

The Fujinomiya Trail is the shortest route, but the slope is steeper than the Yoshida Route. It is the second most popular route.

Trailhead: Fujinomiya Trailhead 5th Station (altitude 2400 meters)

Ascent time: about 5 hours

Descent time: about 4 hours

The Gotemba Trail is said to be the most difficult route. There are few mountain huts along the way, so you have to carry your own water and dry food when climbing.

Trailhead: Gotemba Trailhead New 5th Station (altitude 1440 meters)

Ascent time: about 8 hours

Descent time: about 4 hours

Reference:

Bus connecting each trail timetable: http://www.fujiyama-navi.jp/fujitozan/access/page/bus/lang/en/ 

Kawaguchiko bus timetable

http://www.fujiyama-navi.jp/static/fujitozan/img/pdf_en/yoshida_trail.pdf

Distribution, reservation, and booking status of mountain huts

http://www.fujisanguide.com/forms/menutop/menutop.aspx?menu_id=1650

Mount Fuji information network

http://www.fujiyama-navi.jp/

Accommodations on various Mount Fuji mountain huts:

• Yagura go shaku (3450m): Goraikoukan, website: http://www.goraikoukan.jp/
• Hon Yagura (3250m): Fuji-san Hotel, website: https://www.fujisanhotel.com/
• Tomoe-kan (3400m), website: http://tomoekan.com/
• Yagura (3250m): Ganso Muro, website: http://www.mfi.or.jp/fujisan/
• Hakunso (3200m), website: http://fujisan-hakuun.com/en/
• Houraikan (3150m), website: http://horaikan.jp/
• Taishikan (3100m), website: http://www.mfi.or.jp/taisikan/

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