Mt Fuji (3776m) is only open for hikers in July and August yearly. There are 4 main trails to hike Mt Fuji. The most popular and easiest trail is Yoshida Trail. There is a bus from the base town of Mt Fuji, Kawaguchiko, to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station in about an hour journey. The suggested hiking time is 5-7 hours but I took a total of 9 hours!
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| The beginning of the hike with gradual slopes |
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| The trail towards 7th station |
The hiking journey started in the afternoon around 1pm on the 1st day. We just need to register for free and paid a donation fee at the entrance. After 3 hours of slow hike on a gradual wide trail, I reached the 7th Station, where I had pre booked an accommodation for the night. Even though it was supposed to be for the night, by 11pm, most guests started to continue the hike up in order to catch the early morning sunrise the next day. The accommodation is more for a rest rather than for a sleep, It is a basic accommodation, with only sleeping bag lying on the floor side by side. As the evening approached, the weather turned into a chilling freezing night.
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| Accommodation at 7th Station |
At 11pm, I packed my luggage to continue the hiking journey with headlamp in pitch dark. However, the crowd and mountain huts along the way illuminated the scene with sounds and lights. It was a steep long hike from 7th to 8th station, with added challenge from the thin air in high altitude that made the trek breathless and sleepy. I dozed off momentarily at one of the mountain hut passages along the trail not long after starting the hike. The trail becomes narrower and steeper after 8th Station.
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| Can you see the sea cloud? |
Finally, after 6 hours of dark endless slow hike, I saw the first ray of bright orange sunrise amid the clouds at 5am. It was near the peak of Mt Fuji and the sense of awe was beyond words. Finally, I reached the peak of Mt Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan with clouds below.
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Finally the sun ray appeared
 | Light from heaven
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After about 2 hours of rest and pictures, it was time to descend, as the sun rose upon the sky. There are 2 separate trails for ascend and descend in Yoshida Trail. The trek downhill is rocky on a gradient slope. It is indeed a volcanic mountain. Another mountain checked!
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| Crowded mountain top with vending machine |
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| Looks like another outskirt town on the top |
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| Seats to rest |
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| Separate rocky trail to go down |
Tips to hike Mt Fuji (Yoshida Trail):
- Bring winter clothes, gloves and jacket as it can be freezing up there
- Bring a headlamp for night trek
- A walking stick could help for support
- Pre book accommodation early as it is a peak season
- Try to book accommodation at 8th Station onwards as it is nearer to the peak
- Bring small change for Bio/Toilet Break. The higher the elevation, the more to pay for Bio Break (from 1000 yen to 3000 yen)
- The hike can be done overnight without staying at the mountain huts. Many locals start hiking around 8pm from 5th Station and reach by 5am to view the sunrise before descending to reach the base by 1pm the next day.
- The hike can be done solo or on own groups without joining a trekking tour
