By: Alex
As a symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji is only open for climbing for about two months each year. This year’s climbing season runs until September 10. Most climbers choose to depart in the afternoon, arriving at mountain huts near the summit before nightfall to rest briefly, then continuing in the dark the next morning to reach the peak before sunrise and witness the first rays of dawn (known as goraikō in Japanese) from Japan’s highest mountain.
▲Japanese people climb Mount Fuji to watch the sunrise from the country’s highest peak. (Photo by yamakeng @IG)
There are four routes up Mount Fuji, named after their starting points: Yoshida (Yamanashi Prefecture), Subashiri (Shizuoka Prefecture), Gotemba (Shizuoka Prefecture), and Fujinomiya (Shizuoka Prefecture). Each route is divided into ten stations (called “gōme”), with the first station (ichigōme) at the mountain’s base and the tenth station (jūgōme) at the summit. Typically, vehicles (or horses in the past) can only reach the fifth station (go-gōme) partway up the mountain, after which hikers must proceed on foot. From the fifth to the tenth station, excluding time spent resting, the climb generally takes 6 to 8 hours.
▲(Photo by kumi1639 @IG)
Aside from the longest Gotemba route, the fifth stations of the other three routes are already at elevations of 2,000 to 2,400 meters, where sea of clouds are often visible. At first, the gentle slopes make the hike feel relatively easy, but as altitude increases, the gradients become steeper and the path more challenging—sometimes even requiring hands and feet to climb. Additionally, temperatures drop, and altitude sickness becomes a concern, so climbing is by no means easy and requires thorough preparation.
▲Most climbers choose to depart in the afternoon, stay overnight at mountain huts, and continue the ascent early the next morning. (Photo by chipamwenya @IG)
Japanese people view climbing Mount Fuji as a lifelong goal. After watching the sunrise at the summit, they often clap and cheer together, sharing the joy of successfully reaching the top. It’s worth noting that the summit of Mount Fuji is a volcanic crater surrounded by eight peaks, collectively known as the Eight Peaks of Fuji or Fuji Eight Summits. Among them, Kengamine Peak is the highest, standing at 3,776 meters. If you want to take photos at Japan’s highest point, be sure not to go to the wrong spot.
▲(Photo by taka @IG)
Finally, for those planning to climb Mount Fuji, bear in mind that it is still an active volcano. Although it hasn’t erupted in over 300 years, the possibility remains. Before climbing, always double-check the current status of the volcano. It is widely believed that if Mount Fuji were to erupt, even without a collapse, access for tourists could be restricted for decades. So, if you’re planning to climb, do it sooner rather than later.
▲(Photo by yamakeng @IG)
▲(Photo by senchan @IG)
▲(Photo by kumi1639 @IG)
▲(Photo by ai.cosmos @IG)
▲Torii gates can be seen along the climbing route. (Photo by jevris @IG)
▲On days with heavy foot traffic, the lights from climbers form a glowing trail. (Photo by unagraph @Twitter)
Sources: Ikidane Nippon, Official Mount Fuji Climbing Website