Region: Yoshida Trail, Mount Fuji – Yamanashi (North Side), Japan
Places To Stay: Hiking Japan’s highest mountain is an unforgettable experience, but it requires some planning. Most climbers overnight in simple mountain huts around the 7th or 8th station, with futon-style dorms, no showers, and hearty meals. At the base, towns like Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko offer hotels and guesthouses, making it easy to prepare and recover either side of your climb.
Looking for more trails in Japan? Visit my Japan Hiking Trails page.
Below are 3 ideas for trips, transfers and tours around Mount Fuji, with GetYourGuide offering great discounts and availability + Much more!
For a wider choice of accommodation in the Tokyo, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.
The Yoshida Trail is the most popular route up Mount Fuji, starting from the 5th Station at around 2,300m and climbing to the summit at 3,776m. It’s busy, especially during the official climbing season (July–early September), but the infrastructure of huts, signposts, and safety patrols make it the most accessible way to reach the top. The reward: standing above the clouds to watch the sunrise from Japan’s highest point.
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Nearest major gateways: Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport, which is 80.6 km away
Getting There: Directions, GPX and App Link
- Start/Finish: Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (bus from Kawaguchiko or Fujisan stations).
- Seasonality: Climb only during July–early September when huts and facilities are open; outside this window conditions are dangerous.
- Download the GPX file here
- You can follow this route on my Outdooractive profile.
Hike Profile
- Distance: ~17 km round trip (ascent + descent on Yoshida 5th Station).
- Duration: 6–8 hrs ascent, 3–4 hrs descent.
- Elevation: 3,776m (Mount Fuji summit).
- Difficulty: Strenuous — altitude, volcanic gravel paths, crowded sections.
- Terrain: Sandy volcanic trails, switchbacks, wide zig-zags lower down, narrower above 8th Station.
Stages & Distances (Typical 2-Day Itinerary)
| Day | From → To | Distance | Ascent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 5th Station → 7th/8th Station (mountain hut) | 4–6 km | ↑ 700–1,000m | Stay overnight in a hut for early summit push. |
| Day 2 | Hut → Summit → 5th Station | 8–10 km | ↑ 800m then ↓ 1,700m | Summit for sunrise, descend same trail. |
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Hike Description
The Yoshida Trail is the most popular way to climb Mount Fuji, starting from the 5th Station on the Yamanashi side. At first, the path eases you in with wide gravel tracks and busy rest stops, the buzz of other climbers making it feel like a shared adventure. The air is cooler already at 2,300 metres, and the views over the Fuji Five Lakes start to open up behind you as you climb.
Soon the path narrows and steepens, twisting through volcanic rock and switchbacks. The higher you go, the more barren the landscape becomes, with red and black lava fields replacing the greenery below. This is where the rhythm of Fuji kicks in: walk, pause, breathe, and push on again. Mountain huts line the way from the 7th Station upwards, offering simple meals, hot drinks, and a chance to rest, though it’s best to book if you’re staying overnight.
Most climbers aim for the summit at sunrise. It means starting in the middle of the night or sleeping in a hut and setting off in the early hours. Headlamps form a long line of light up the slope, and as you reach the 8th Station the air grows thin and every step feels slower. But when the sky begins to glow and the sun lifts over the horizon, the effort feels worthwhile. Watching the first light of day spill across Japan from the highest point in the country is unforgettable.
Reaching the summit itself brings more than just the view. You’ll find a small shrine, weather station, and the chance to walk around the crater rim. The air is crisp, the rocks are otherworldly, and the sense of standing at 3,776 metres is something that sticks with you long after the climb. The descent, usually down a separate zigzagging trail of loose volcanic ash, is tough on the knees but much faster, bringing you back to the greenery and bustle of the 5th Station.
Climbing Fuji on the Yoshida Trail is a mix of challenge, culture, and community. It’s not a wilderness hike, there will be crowds, especially in July and August, but sharing the climb with people from all over the world is part of its charm. Whether you summit in one long push or take your time with an overnight stay, it’s the classic way to experience Japan’s most iconic mountain.
Walk this route yourself in 3D!
The video is a 3D walkthrough of this route; it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect before you set foot on the mountain.
I’ve created 3D videos of my walks and shared them with the Outdooractive and Welsh Man Walking communities.
[video_popup url=”https://youtu.be/F3_f4FlXSgI” text=”Mount Fuji Yoshida Trail – 3D Walkthrough” title=”Mount Fuji Yoshida Trail – 3D Walkthrough”]
Places to Stay (Tokushima City / Naruto)
Mountain huts must be booked in advance during climbing season. Below are a few options:
7th–8th Station Huts
Popular mountain hut with meals included; futon dorms and early start location.
Higher hut close to the summit trail, good for catching sunrise with a shorter push.
Base Stays
Lakeside hotel with views of Fuji; good choice pre- or post-climb.
For a wider choice of accommodation in the Tokyo, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.
Practicalities
- Luggage: Leave large bags at your base hotel; huts only accept small packs.
- Food & water: Sold at huts but expensive — bring cash and snacks.
- Navigation: Trail is waymarked and patrolled, but still bring GPX/offline map.
- Altitude: AMS is common; pace yourself, hydrate, and be ready to descend if needed.
- Booking: Mountain huts must be reserved in advance during season.
Below are 3 ideas for trips, transfers and tours around Mount Fuji, with GetYourGuide offering great discounts and availability + Much more!
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Mount Fuji (Yoshida Trail) FAQs
How high is Mount Fuji?
How long does the Yoshida Trail take?
When is the official climbing season?
Do I need to book huts?
What should I pack?
Is it crowded?
Can beginners climb it?
Is there transport to the 5th Station?
Can I climb outside the season?
Do I need a guide?
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