Japan has no shortage of incredible hikes and destinations, from the rugged cliffs and ladder climbs of Yarigatake to the panoramic trail of Ginza. But when you think of an outdoor adventure in Japan, one thing comes to mind before anything else: Mt. Fuji.

The mountain is iconic! Offering a stunning landscape of incredible scenery, climbing the mountain is an awe-inspiring experience.

What’s great, though, is that Mt. Fuji is – at least as far as mountains go – relatively easy to climb. It’s not an easy hike; you aren’t out for a leisurely stroll. But it’s far from some of the more challenging climbs you can find in other common destinations.

One unforgettable option is to climb Mt. Fuji nice and early so you’re near the top in time to watch the sunrise over the landscapes of Japan stretching out below. It’s a wonderful adventure and can even be quite romantic for couples if you’re fit and ready to tackle the climb.

We’ve listed as much detail as we can to help you plan your own journey to see the sunrise in the land of the rising sun, but if there are any questions you have that we didn’t cover, feel free to ask!

How to Watch the Sunrise from Mt. Fuji

If you’re interested in climbing the mountain to see the sunrise, one of the first questions on your mind might be: is it even legal to do? After all, there are a lot of places where parks are closed from sunrise to sunset, and you can’t very well watch the sunrise from the summit if you’re not allowed to start until then, right?

Fortunately, the answer is yes. The trails leading up the mountain do close overnight, actually from 2 pm to 3 am. They didn’t used to be closed, but too many people were hurting themselves climbing in the dark, so authorities decided to close overnight hiking.

The trick is in the timing. The trails open at 3 am, but the four trail options take between 5 and 10 hours to reach the summit. Sunrise happens as early as 4:30-5 am, too!

So, how do you make it work? The key is to plan an overnight stay on the slopes.

The good news is that you don’t have to anchor a tent to a cliff and spend an awkward night trying to sleep while dangling; the slopes are rather gentle. More importantly, you don’t need a tent at all. The mountain is dotted with huts where climbers can stay overnight.

So what you do is you arrive whenever you find comfortable for a climb during the day, and start your journey up. When you reach an appropriate height, you stop for the night. Then, you wake up before dawn, do any additional hiking you need to do to reach the peak, and watch the sunrise. Then descend, and you’re good to go!

These days, this is really the only feasible way to do it. The hike is too long, and the time limit is too strict, and even though we’re seasoned adventurers, we don’t recommend trying to climb a mountain in the dark.

Fast Facts and Key Details for Climbing Mt. Fuji

Now, let’s cover some of the key details you’ll need to know for the climb.

The fee to climb the mountain is 4,000 yen per person. That’s around $30, depending on exchange rates. This is equal to everyone: no discounts for seniors, children, or anyone else.

You’re encouraged to make a reservation for the trail you want to hike. The most popular trail, the Yoshida trail, has a hard limit of 4,000 people per day, and a reservation helps make sure you aren’t left out. Now, that limit has not actually been met, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, right? The other three trails don’t have a population limit, but they do still ask for reservations.

You now have to take a brief test on the rules and manners for climbing the mountain. This is all pretty simple stuff and is largely things like respecting your fellow climbers, not picking plants or grabbing rocks or anything else – you know, Leave No Trace stuff. It also makes sure you’re aware of details like how the cell service works and so on.

When is climbing season for Mt. Fuji?

The official climbing season varies depending on which trail you take. The Yoshida trail is open from July 1 to September 10, and the other three trails are open from July 10 to September 10.

The peak season for the climb is during various vacation seasons, especially Japanese school breaks, which range from July 20 to August 31. Mid-August, especially on weekends, is by far the most crowded.

Do Not attempt to climb the mountain outside of climbing season. It’s more dangerous, more treacherous, and not to mention illegal. You’ll be fined at minimum, and there can be other penalties as well.

We already mentioned that all of the trails are closed from 2 pm to 3 am. This isn’t technically true, though; if you’ve booked a stay at one of the mountain huts or lodges, then you can climb during those closed hours. The idea is that they want as few people moving on the slopes during those hours as possible, but if you’re already climbing after 2 pm with the goal of reaching a lodge to stop, you’re in the clear.

The Four Trails of Mt. Fuji: Which to Take?

There are four routes up the slopes of Mt. Fuji. Each route has ten stations, from the first station down near sea level up to the tenth station near the summit. Stations 1 through 5 are accessible via paved roads and public transportation! Generally speaking, you will go to the 5th station and start your climb from there. Certainly, some people start at station 1 and climb from the ocean to the peak, but that’s a much more intense, longer, and more challenging journey.

Yoshida Trail is the most popular trail, and it’s the one that has a daily limit on making the climb. It’s readily accessible from Tokyo via the subway, has a lot of mountain huts along the route, and – critically – is the side that allows you to see the sunrise.

This trail takes around 5-7 hours to climb up. Climbing back down only takes 3-5 hours. It’s also the only one of the trails located in Yamanashi Prefecture, which is why it has its own rules and regulations compared to the other three.

Subashiri Trail is the first of the three trails in Shizuoka Prefecture. It’s slightly longer than the Yoshida trail and takes around 5-8 hours to climb.

Gotemba Trail is the lowest start and longest climb of the four trails, taking around 7-10 hours to make it up and 3-6 to make it back down. It also only has four huts along the way.

Fujinomiya Trail is the third Shizuoka trail and is the shortest, taking 4-7 hours to climb and 2-4 to descend. It has more available huts and is still plenty scenic.

Which trail is the best option?

• If you aren’t sure you’ll make it up in time to see the sunrise from the summit itself, take Yoshida so you can turn around and see the sunrise wherever you are.
• If you’re planning to be on the summit when the sun rises, any trail works; they all lead to the same place.

What to Pack to Climb Mt. Fuji

Being prepared is the single biggest hurdle to overcome to climb Fuji.

Here’s our packing list:

• Hiking boots. Make sure you’re comfortable in them and that they protect your ankles.
• The right clothes. It can be surprisingly cold up that high and can even be below zero at the summit. Bring rain gear as well. Don’t forget things like gloves, a balaclava or gaiter, and a warm hat as necessary.
• Sun protection. A hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, whatever you need to keep those UV rays from cooking you.
• Light. A couple of flashlights, headlamps, or other light sources can be important if you’re climbing before dawn to make the summit for sunrise.
• Food, water, and money. Consider bringing some toilet paper as well, just in case the bathrooms in the huts are out.
• A hiking stick. A lot of times, these are optional, but they’re really, really useful on the gravel-strewn slopes of Fuji, so bring one or buy one at the entrance station.

Most necessities you can buy at the 5th station, so if there’s something you forgot and you see it on shelves, grab it.

Other Questions for Watching the Fuji Sunrise

If there’s something we’ve missed, let us know; otherwise, here’s all the wisdom we have on hand.

How difficult is the hike?

It’s challenging! You aren’t free-climbing steep cliffs or anything, but you are climbing a mountain. If you aren’t prepared for the altitude or for a full day of physical activity, it is going to destroy you. There are also plenty of hazards, from rain to cold temperatures (even in summer) to wind gusts and the occasional falling rock to make it a little harder.

As long as you take it slow, stay hydrated, and are prepared for a long day’s work, it’s doable.

Do you need a tour guide to climb Mt. Fuji?

Not at all! A tour guide can help encourage you, make sure you have everything you need for the climb, and prepare reservations for you, but they absolutely aren’t necessary.

If you’re worried about being isolated and alone, don’t; as long as you’re climbing during the open season, there will probably be plenty of people on the mountain around you. Moreover, the trails are all well-marked, so you definitely won’t get lost, even in the dark.

What do you need to know about the huts?

The mountain huts are like miniature hotels or lodges, but they aren’t exactly comfortable. It’s dormitory-style lodging where you’re expected to occupy a cot for sleeping. The overnight cost is around 14,000 yen, which includes two meals. They’re usually quite crowded during peak climbing days, too.

They also typically have small general stores where they sell climbing necessities, which can be things like food and water, but also canned oxygen and sunscreen. They’ll also use a branding iron to brand your hiking stick if you want, for a small fee.

Note that even your toilets have a fee here, so you’ll want to keep plenty of change with you.

How do you handle the altitude?

Altitude sickness is one of the biggest threats on the climb. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and take frequent breaks to avoid it as much as possible.

You should also learn to recognize the signs, both in yourself and in your partner. Headache, nausea, fatigue, malaise, dizziness, and vision changes are all symptoms. The faster you climb, the more likely it is to hit you, especially if you have health issues that make you prone to it.

Buying canned oxygen can help if you’re feeling it and need an immediate bit of assistance, but it’s not a cure; you will have to rest and acclimate or descend.

What other tips will make the climb easier?

One of the most common “I never would have thought of that” tips for hiking Mt. Fuji is to trim your toenails before you hike. It’s not an issue for the climb, but the descent will be jamming your toes into the front of your shoes the whole way down, and you can end up with really messed up feet by the end if you aren’t careful.

Be prepared for changing weather. It’s a long, hot climb up, but the summit is frigid even in summer, and it can alternate between rain and sunshine at the drop of a hat.

Take tons of photos and enjoy the experience! It’s a long, grueling climb, but the reward is extremely worthwhile. Even the climb itself has a sense of camaraderie with the other climbers, and it’s a wonderful, communal experience.