Climbing Mount Fuji from June to September

Skill level required: Beginner to intermediate. Fitness level required: FIT, able to climb minimum in 8 h, up and down 1500m (5000 feet).

There is usually no snow anymore on the trails and it is beginners level ascent. You’ll just need proper hiking shoes and some warmer clothing as it is a high mountain and could be windy and still cold at the summit. This is a volcano climbing trip and we really depend on weather which is very unpredictable, that is why we always need to be equipped with all the necessary.

Some tips: we usually ascent from the North, because you can rich the highest trailhead point by car. Hike up starts from parking at 2300m (7500ft); first, we climb on a sandy trail, following is the rocky ridge and last part before the summit is some mixed terrain (rock, sand, sometimes snow). Is there any technical component? The slope steepness is 30, partly 35 degrees. If the weather is nasty, often strong wind or afternoon storms, the guide will decide the route, regarding weather forecast. There are 3 different trails going up & down Mt.Fuji. Please note that some are longer as the starting point is lower like at 1900m.

The starting point of our adventure will be the Kawaguchi-ko area, a resort town with various tourist attractions, many kinds of accommodation facilities and great views of Mount Fuji. As this is a 1-day climbing trip, we will start really early morning, almost in the middle of the night! From there we’ll drive 45 min. to the 5th stage on the slopes of Mt.Fuji, to the nearest trailhead. If we use the toll road, opens at 3 am, I suggest a pickup time around 3 am. If you have your own means of transport, we can meet directly at the car parking close to our trailhead on the 5th stage (I will inform you the exact point).

Equipment: for this ascent, you will need to bring your own proper clothing and own mountaineering shoes. Some equipment rentals can be found in Tokyo. We can rent backpacks, walking poles etc. (1000 JPY/item, payable in cash direct to the guide after the climb). Please note we don’t rent shoes/boots.

Check it out as well; boots photo & equipment rental shops; http://lamont.jp/en/ or https://www.yamarent.com/en/shopinfo.html?language=en

Food and drinks: You should take 2L of water, also sometimes it is possible to buy drinks along the way at the mountain huts.

Insurance: please make sure you are individually insured appropriately with international travel insurance which specifically covers mountaineering.

Other: sometimes the trip itinerary may be altered and/or date change can be discussed, case by case, based on the weather forecast. I will try to modify my schedule and we’ll do our best to make our guests happy. I would advise you to make your schedule flexible as well. The guide may choose a different road approach and climbing route, the time of the early morning start, etc. Trouble while climbing: often people will get light altitude sickness (dizzy, headache etc.).

Special service: I can pick you up at your hotel in Tokyo, around 1:00 am, then it takes 1:30 to 2h to Kawaguchi-ko; for an additional cost of 24.000 JPY per group. Please inquire if you wish this optional service but please note, it is one way only, and you’ll need to return to Tokyo by train or bus, because of heavy traffic jams, usually every afternoon.

At Kawaguchi-ko town, which is Fuji five lakes area, easily accessible by trains or direct buses from Tokyo.