Mount Fuji Volcano

Address: Mount Fuji, Honshu, Japan (straddles Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures)

Hours: Official climbing season: early July to early September (trails and huts generally open only in season).

Admission: No general admission - visiting the mountain is free. Climbing incurs costs for guides, accommodation in huts, permits and park fees (fees vary by service/operator).

Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano on Honshu and the highest peak in Japan, rising to 3,776.24 meters. It is a national symbol and a frequent subject in art and photography.

The mountain is famed for its symmetrical cone and multiple access points for visitors. Popular highlights include the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station at about 2,300 meters, the Fuji Five Lakes to the north, and well-established hiking routes that lead to the summit; the official climbing season is primarily July and August.

Fuji formed through repeated volcanic eruptions; the most recent significant eruption was the Hōei eruption of 1707-1708. It has been a site of cultural and religious significance for centuries and is managed for safety and conservation by national and local authorities.

Located on Honshu approximately 100 kilometers southwest of central Tokyo, the mountain sits between Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures and overlooks a mix of lakes, forests and foothill towns such as Fujinomiya and Gotemba.

• Climbing season: Most climbers use the official climbing season in July and August when mountain huts and trail services are open and snow is minimal.
• Best viewpoints: Lake Kawaguchi and the Chureito Pagoda are among the most reliable locations for classic views and sunrise photography of the mountain.

What to See#

• Fifth Stations: Sits at several marked mid-mountain access points around 2,300 to 2,400 meters elevation used by climbers and tourists; the most visited is the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station on the Yamanashi side.
• Fuji Five Lakes: A cluster of lakes at the northern base-Kawaguchi, Yamanaka, Sai, Motosu and Shoji-that offer popular viewing spots and photographic perspectives of the mountain.
• Summit and trails: The summit crater formed by repeated eruptions; the peak reaches 3,776.24 meters above sea level and is the end point of multiple established climbing trails.
• Yoshida Trail: The popular Yoshida Trail on the Yamanashi side is one of several main ascent routes used during the official climbing season.

Access to Mount Fuji depends on which trail or 5th Station you plan to use. From Tokyo, many visitors take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki then the Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko Station, and from Kawaguchiko board Fujikyu buses that run to the Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida Trail access) or to other trailhead 5th Stations; these buses are operated by Fujikyu and depart from Kawaguchiko. By car the Fuji area is roughly 100-120 km west of central Tokyo via the Chuo Expressway and local roads. From the 5th Stations the hike to the summit is several hours (long, steep mountain trails) rather than a short walk.

• If you plan to climb, do so only during the official climbing season (typically July-early September) and reserve mountain-hut bunks well ahead - trails and huts get full on peak summer weekends.
• For spectacular views without climbing, use the Chureito Pagoda or the Lake Kawaguchi shorelines at sunrise; these vantage points are accessible year-round and far less crowded than the summit approach.
• Choose your trail to match your plan: the popular Yoshida Trail from Kawaguchiko has the most services and huts, while the Fujinomiya Trail is the shortest and steepest - pick accordingly and check that the route is open before you go.