This route starts at Umagaeshi, the 1st station on the Yoshida trail and original trailhead before the Fuji Subaru Line opened in the 1960s to provide road access further up the mountain. The trailhead is marked with a torii gate, stone lanterns and a pair of monkey statues, placed as guardians to this sacred land.
The trail is easy to follow, climbing up through beautiful forest and passing moss-covered stone monuments, the remnants of historic rest-stops and several small shrines. If you’ve started early (and you should), there are some incredible glimpses of dawn light to be had through the trees. The few junctions are sign-posted. About 4.7km, you’ll reach a sealed road – follow it around the first hairpin then regain the trail beside a small shrine, before almost immediately crossing the road again, after which you’ll arrive at Satomidaira Seikanso hut – a nice spot for a bite to eat or to use the bathroom (200¥). It’s also your first real chance to (clouds permitting!) glimpse the peak that awaits you.
About 1km further on, you’ll reach the 6th Station/Mt Fuji Safety Guidance Centre and the main junction with the trail from the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th station, where the vast majority of hikers start their day after catching a bus up. The Safety Guidance Centre is where you’ll need to grab your tickets/passes for the rest of the climb (see below).
From here, the trail gets both noticeably busier and steeper. There are stretches of wide, gravel/scree zig-zags, and stretches of clambering over jumbled volcanic rock - nothing difficult, but enough to make you consider stashing poles if you’re using them. Follow the crowd, and keep grinding up. You’ll pass several further huts along the way that offer opportunities to purchase water or use the bathroom, so have some change handy if this sounds like you (allow 500-700¥ for water, 200-300¥ for bathroom – costs increase as you climb).
Eventually, as the altitude starts to bite, you reach the torii gates of the Kusushi Shrine, Yamaguchiya Hut (drinks, snacks, bathroom, souvenirs) and the crater rim. Follow the trail around the crater rim loop, bagging the true summit (Kengamine Peak) as you go.
The descent initially follows a separate trail from the one you climbed up. Starting from the southern end of the Yamaguchiya Hut, it opens with a few long switchbacks on loose volcanic scoria that get gradually shorter and tighter as you descend. Enjoy bashing down the mountain, weaving in and out of the hikers for as long as your knees and quads hold up (losing 1200 m altitude in <5km). Note that the trail splits at a sign-posted junction at the 8th station – be sure to stay left on the Yoshida trail!
The trail rejoins the ascending route at the Safety Guidance Centre. From here, simply retrace your steps back down through the forest to Umagaeshi. If it’s a hot day, consider a brief stop for icecream at Satomidaira Seikanso to fuel those last few kilometres.
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There are several things to note about this route that may differ to trail prep/planning in elsewhere:
- A ticket is required to access the Yoshida trail above the 6th station. Tickets are capped at 4,000 hikers per day, and can be purchased online in advance or on the day (1,000 tickets are reserved for on-the-day purchase). Online ticket/QR code is shown at the Safety Centre and exchanged for a wristband or token. The current fee is 4,000¥ per person.
- To prevent overnight ‘bullet climbs,’ access to the trail above the 6th station is restricted between 2pm and 3am. You will not be able to climb past here unless you have a reservation for that evening in one of the mountain huts. Ensure you start your adventure early enough to ensure you’re through 6th station before 2pm.
- Gear checks may be undertaken at 6th station to ensure hikers are properly equipped, and passage denied if they are not. Ensure your footwear is appropriate and you have sufficient cold and wet weather gear.
- The trails on Mt Fuji have an official season (early July to mid-September), access outside of this is restricted.
- For up to date information, check www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/
