Mount Fuji Climbing Permit, Fees and Rules (2026)
Climbing Mount Fuji requires climbers to plan ahead a bit more. In 2026, all climbers must pay a ¥4,000 fee, regardless of which of the four routes they take, and complete the required entry process for either Yamanashi or Shizuoka before passing the trailhead checkpoints.
If you’re wondering how much Mt Fuji climbing permits cost, one important thing to know is that Mount Fuji does not use a single climbing permit system.
The Yoshida Trail in Yamanashi has its own registration process, while the three trails in Shizuoka follow a separate system, with different rules around reservations, daily limits and safety checks.
The Mt Fuji climbing fee in 2026 explained
The entrance fee for Mount Fuji is ¥4,000 per person, per climb, no matter which route you take: Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Gotemba or Subashiri.
This mountain-wide fee was introduced in 2025. Before then, the cost depended on the route.
In 2024, for example, climbers on the Yoshida Trail paid a mandatory ¥2,000 trail-use fee, with an additional voluntary ¥1,000 contribution for Mount Fuji conservation.
From 2025, Yamanashi replaced that system with a single ¥4,000 fee.
The fee helps support trail maintenance, safety measures, environmental conservation and the management of the new entry system.
Keep in mind that this fee does not include mountain hut accommodation. If you stay overnight in a hut, you will need to pay for that separately. When planning the overall cost of climbing Mount Fuji, you will also need to factor in transport, gear rental, and hut bookings.
Two systems, one mountain
This is where the Mount Fuji climbing permit system can get a little confusing.
The mountain sits across Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, and each one manages its own entry system.
If you climb the Yoshida Trail, you follow Yamanashi’s reservation and gate system.
If you take the Fujinomiya, Gotemba or Subashiri Trail, you use Shizuoka’s FUJI NAVI system.
The ¥4,000 fee is the same on all four routes, but the way you register, reserve your entry and pass the trailhead checks differs depending on which side of the mountain you climb.
Yoshida route: Yamanashi gate reservation
The Yoshida Trail is the most popular route on Mount Fuji, and it is also the only one with a fixed daily limit on climbers.
Yamanashi allows up to 4,000 climbers per day, not including people with mountain hut reservations. Once that limit is reached, the gate at the Yoshida 5th Station closes to additional climbers who do not have hut accommodation.
You can reserve your Mt Fuji climbing reservation online through Yamanashi’s official Yoshida Trail booking system, which runs on the Asoview platform.
When you book, you:
- choose your climbing date;
- pay the ¥4,000 fee online;
- agree to the climbing rules;
- receive a digital confirmation;
- show that confirmation at the Yoshida 5th Station gate.
The system accepts major credit cards and PayPay.
Booking in advance is a good idea, especially on weekends and during busy holiday periods, but it is not strictly required.
Yamanashi keeps some capacity available for same-day registration, and the official 2026 guidance allows climbers to reserve on the day, as long as space is still available.
If you arrive without a reservation, it is best to reach the 5th Station early, since entry is no longer guaranteed once the day’s allocation is full.
This is different from the earlier system, when reservations had to be completed by the previous day. The current system now allows same-day online booking.
One final point: a Yoshida Trail reservation does not include a mountain hut booking. Hut accommodation has to be reserved separately.
Fujinomiya, Gotemba and Subashiri: Shizuoka pre-registration
The three Shizuoka routes use a completely different system called Shizuoka Prefecture FUJI NAVI.
For the 2026 season, registration opened on May 8 and applies to the Fujinomiya, Gotemba and Subashiri trails.
Unlike Yoshida, there is no fixed 4,000-person daily limit on these routes.
FUJI NAVI is designed to let you sort out most of the formalities before you arrive.
You can complete the required safety and etiquette information, register your details, pay the ¥4,000 fee and receive a QR-code permit to show at the trailhead. The app also includes weather, safety, mapping and altitude information.
Once you reach the 5th Station, you show your QR code and complete the final entry check.
Registering in advance is the easiest option and can save time at the trailhead, but it is not the only one. Shizuoka also has an on-site process for climbers who cannot use FUJI NAVI.
The mandatory safety module and test
One of the more unusual parts of the new Mount Fuji regulations is the mandatory learning requirement on the Shizuoka routes.
Before FUJI NAVI issues an entry permit, climbers have to complete a short e-learning module covering the mountain’s rules, safety guidelines and expected behaviour.
It is more than a simple disclaimer. The module covers topics such as:
- safe climbing practices;
- avoiding “bullet climbing”;
- protecting the environment;
- trail etiquette;
- mountain hut rules;
- proper preparation and equipment;
- considerate behaviour around other climbers.
Once the module is complete, climbers take a short confirmation test before moving on to registration and payment.
FUJI NAVI is available in seven language categories:
- Japanese
- English
- Korean
- Chinese, Traditional and Simplified
- Thai
- Vietnamese
- Indonesian
The two Chinese versions are included within the system’s seven supported language categories.
This requirement applies specifically to the Shizuoka side of Mount Fuji. Climbers using the Yoshida Trail follow Yamanashi’s separate system, which includes its own rule agreement and equipment checks.
Gate hours and the 2pm to 3am closure
One of the main goals of the current Mount Fuji regulations is to reduce bullet climbing, when hikers climb through the night without staying in a mountain hut to reach the summit for sunrise.
For this reason, trail access is restricted between 2 PM and 3 AM on both the Yamanashi and Shizuoka sides.
The main exception is for climbers with a confirmed mountain hut reservation, who can enter during these hours. On the Yoshida Trail, hut guests are also excluded from the 4,000-person daily limit.
You may be asked to show proof of your hut booking, so it is worth saving a screenshot or carrying a printed copy in case mobile reception is poor.
The restriction is intended to reduce risks such as altitude sickness, hypothermia, exhaustion and accidents, while also easing congestion near the summit before sunrise.
For most climbers, a two-day itinerary with an overnight stay in a mountain hut remains the safer and more comfortable option.
Climbing without a smartphone
You do not need a smartphone to climb Mount Fuji.
This is especially useful to know on the Shizuoka routes, where most of the entry process is built around FUJI NAVI. If you cannot complete the steps online, you can do them in person at the trailhead.
At the Shizuoka 5th Stations, staff can help you complete the safety and etiquette module, take the confirmation test, register your details, pay the ¥4,000 fee and receive your entry credentials.
The process usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes, although it may take longer during busy periods.
Doing everything through FUJI NAVI before you arrive will save you time at the trailhead, especially if you need to reach your mountain hut by a certain time.
The Yoshida Trail is similar - you can register and pay the fee when you arrive at the 5th Station, as long as there is still space available for that day.
Off-season climbing is prohibited
Mount Fuji has a very short official climbing season.
In 2026, the summit trails were open on the following dates:
- Yoshida: July 1 to September 10
- Subashiri: July 1 to September 10
- Gotemba: July 10 to September 10
- Fujinomiya: July 10 to September 10
Outside these dates, the summit trails are officially closed.
This is more than just a warning about poor weather.
Under Article 46 of Japan’s Road Act, the upper sections of the trails are closed to traffic outside the official season, and ignoring the closure can result in penalties of up to six months in prison or a fine of up to ¥300,000.
That said, some experienced mountaineers do climb Mount Fuji outside the summer season.
Official safety guidance specifically addresses this, requiring climbers to prepare and submit a mountaineering plan, carry appropriate equipment and, when mountain toilets are closed, bring a portable toilet and carry all waste back down.
Climbing Mount Fuji outside the summer season is a completely different experience. Snow and ice, strong winds, unpredictable weather and closed mountain huts make it a much more serious mountaineering challenge. you have the required mountaineering experience, the safest way to tackle these conditions is by booking a guided off-season climb.
Rules and etiquette for climbing Mount Fuji
Paying the climbing fee and completing the entry process are only part of the experience. Mount Fuji is both a protected natural area and a sacred place, so a little consideration goes a long way. For key details on its geological and cultural background, see our guide to Mount Fuji facts and historical significance.
Stay on the marked trails
Stick to the designated route and avoid shortcuts. The volcanic terrain is fragile, and stepping off trail can damage vegetation or send loose rocks towards people below. In busy sections, wait for a safe place to pass.
Keep noise down near mountain huts
Many hikers sleep in the afternoon or early evening before getting up around midnight for the summit. Keep conversations and phone noise low, and avoid gathering near sleeping areas.
Carry your rubbish down
There are no regular bins on the summit routes, so anything you bring up should come back down with you. A small rubbish bag is worth packing.
Bring coins for toilets
Mountain toilets usually cost around ¥100 to ¥300 per use. Carry a few ¥100 coins, as change may not always be available.
Respect the shrines and summit
Mount Fuji has been a pilgrimage site for centuries. Treat shrines, torii gates and religious areas with respect, avoid blocking entrances for photos and do not remove stones or plants.
No camping or drones
Wild camping and campfires are not allowed on the upper mountain. If you want to stay overnight, book a mountain hut. Drone use is also prohibited above the 8.5th Station.
Be considerate in crowded areas
Avoid blocking narrow sections, pushing past slower hikers or stopping for photos where others cannot pass. Selfie sticks, tripods, filming and live streaming should never get in the way of other climbers.
Guided climbs handle the permits
Once you know which prefecture manages your route, the Mount Fuji climbing permit system is fairly straightforward. It is still one more thing to organize alongside transport, mountain huts, gear, weather and your summit schedule.
On a guided Mount Fuji climb, your guide or local operator can help with the right registration process, hut bookings and the overall itinerary. You also have someone who knows the gate rules, current trail conditions and how to adjust the plan if the weather changes or altitude starts to become an issue. If you are still on the fence, check out our guide on climbing Mount Fuji with a guide or without to decide which approach best suits your experience level.
Explore guided Mount Fuji climbs on Explore-Share and choose an itinerary that fits your experience, preferred route and travel dates.
Frequently asked questions about Mount Fuji climbing permits, fees, and rules
Do you need to pay for a permit to climb Mount Fuji?
During the official season, climbers must complete the relevant entry procedure and pay the ¥4,000 climbing fee. Yoshida uses Yamanashi's gate system, while Fujinomiya, Gotemba and Subashiri use Shizuoka's FUJI NAVI system.
How much is the Mount Fuji climbing fee in 2026?
The fee is ¥4,000 per person, per climb on all four main trails.
Do I need to reserve the Yoshida Trail in advance?
Advance reservations are strongly recommended but are not absolutely mandatory. Yamanashi keeps places available for same-day registration, provided the 4,000-person daily capacity has not been reached.
Is there a daily limit on Mount Fuji climbers?
Only the Yoshida Trail has a fixed daily maximum, set at 4,000 climbers excluding mountain hut guests. Fujinomiya, Gotemba and Subashiri do not have an equivalent daily cap.
Can I start climbing Mount Fuji after 2 PM?
Generally not unless you have a mountain hut reservation. Entry is restricted from 2 PM until 3 AM the following morning to discourage overnight bullet climbing.
Is FUJI NAVI required for the Yoshida Trail?
No. FUJI NAVI is the Shizuoka system used for the Fujinomiya, Gotemba and Subashiri trails. Yoshida uses Yamanashi's separate gate and reservation system.
Can I register at Mount Fuji without a smartphone?
Yes. On-site procedures are available. On the Shizuoka side, allow roughly 20 to 30 minutes to complete the learning, registration and payment process if you have not used FUJI NAVI beforehand.
Can I camp on Mount Fuji?
No. Tent camping on the protected upper mountain is prohibited. Climbers who want to stay overnight should book an official mountain hut.
Can I climb Mount Fuji after September 10?
The summit trails are closed outside the official season under Article 46 of Japan's Road Act. Off-season conditions also involve snow, ice, extreme winds and closed mountain facilities, making the mountain a much more serious mountaineering objective.
