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National park · Japan

Mount Fuji富士山 (Fuji-san)

Climb in the official season (early Jul–early Sep) with a ¥4,000 fee and a hut bed booked ahead; outside it, skip the summit and view the cone from the Fuji Five Lakes or Hakone instead.

Not field-verifiedUNESCO World Heritage 2013Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
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From where I am

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Area

1,218 km²

approximate

Established

1936

Best months

Jul, Oct–Nov

UNESCO

World Heritage

Rules in force · 5
  • East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
  • East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
  • Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
  • Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
  • Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.

At a glance

Country
Japan
Area
1,218 km²
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park covers roughly 1,218 km² across Fuji, Hakone, the Izu Peninsula and the Izu Islands; Mount Fuji itself is one part of it (check).
Established
1936
Best months
Jul, Oct–Nov
Permits
For some areas
Base
Tokyo

Mount Fuji is Japan's highest mountain (3,776 m) and the focus of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, straddling the Shizuoka and Yamanashi border west of Tokyo. The official climbing season runs only from early July to early September; outside it the trails, huts and access roads close and the mountain is a serious winter objective. Most visitors do not climb at all — they view the cone from the Fuji Five Lakes, Hakone or the Shinkansen. Since summer 2025 a ¥4,000 per-person fee applies on all summit trails, and the Yoshida (Kawaguchiko) trail caps entries at 4,000 a day with no entry between 16:00 and 03:00.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • UNESCO World Heritage · 2013Listed as a sacred place and source of artistic inspiration.

Size and age

1,218 km² · national park since 1936

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park covers roughly 1,218 km² across Fuji, Hakone, the Izu Peninsula and the Izu Islands; Mount Fuji itself is one part of it (check).

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Tokyo.

Why go

  • Stand on the highest point in Japan at 3,776 m and watch the sunrise above the cloud line.
  • The cone is a national symbol — Hokusai's prints, the Shinkansen window, the shrine at the foot.
  • The Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone give close views without the climb, and work in winter when the trails are shut.
  • A well-marked, hut-served route that amateurs can walk in a single night.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanGo
  2. FebGo
  3. MarGo
  4. AprGo
  5. MayCaution
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulBest
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepGo
  10. OctBest
  11. NovBest
  12. DecGo
  • JanClearest views of the year; trails closed, no climbing
  • FebDry, cold air; best lake photos
  • MarStill clear; snow on the cone
  • AprWarming; cherry blossom at the foot
  • MayGuided off-season climbs only; snow and ice
  • JunRainy season; mountain usually clouded
  • JulSeason opens early Jul; crowds build from 20 Jul
  • AugSeason peak; Obon and weekends very busy, typhoon risk
  • SepSeason closes early Sep; quieter, cooler
  • OctClear views, no climbing; Subashiri buses run to Oct
  • NovCrisp and clear; autumn colour at the lakes
  • DecVery clear; all summit facilities and roads closed

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Mount Fuji
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Alpine plants above the treelineJul–Aug · Short season; stay on the trail.nonononononoyesyesnononono
Sika deer and macaques on the lower slopesAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Clear Fuji views (not wildlife, but the reason to come off-season)Oct–Feb · Dry winter air gives the sharpest cone.yesyesnononononononoyesyesyes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Tokyo (Shinjuku)

Direct express bus to Kawaguchiko 5th Station in summer; off season, bus to Lake Kawaguchi then a connecting bus.

2.5 h

Open the page →

From Tokyo by train

JR Chūō Line to Ōtsuki, change to the Fujikyū Line for Kawaguchiko, then the seasonal 5th Station bus.

2.5–3 h

Open the page →

From Gotemba

Seasonal bus from JR Gotemba Station to Gotemba 5th Station; last bus up leaves around 17:00.

40 min

From Fujinomiya / Shin-Fuji

Bus from Fujinomiya Station or Shin-Fuji Shinkansen stop to the Fujinomiya 5th Station.

1.5 h

From Nagoya or Kyoto

Tōkaidō Shinkansen to Shin-Fuji or Mishima, then a bus toward the trailheads.

1.5–2.5 h

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Mount Fuji
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Kawaguchiko (Yoshida) trailThe most popular route, from Kawaguchiko 5th Station at 2,305 m; huts the whole way.Open in season; capped at 4,000 a day, no entry 16:00–03:00.
Gotemba trailThe longest and toughest route, starting at 1,440 m with a huge ash field.Open in season; few huts, last bus up around 17:00.
Subashiri trailForest start on the east side, joining the Yoshida trail higher up.Open in season; buses run to October.
Fujinomiya trailThe shortest and steepest route, on the Shizuoka side, closest to the 3,776 m point.Open in season; no separate descent path, so it congests near the top.
Fuji Five Lakes and HakoneViewpoints, onsen and lake shores around the mountain.Open year-round.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 7 approximate points in Mount Fuji, north up1234567
Approximate positions for the main 5th stations, the summit and the two main viewing bases; for orientation only.
  1. 1Kawaguchiko 5th Station · Gate≈35.393, 138.734Map ↗
  2. 2Yoshida trailhead (Fujiyoshida) · Trail≈35.470, 138.790Map ↗
  3. 3Gotemba 5th Station · Gate≈35.323, 138.799Map ↗
  4. 4Fujinomiya 5th Station · Gate≈35.337, 138.735Map ↗
  5. 5Kengamine summit (3,776 m) · Summit≈35.361, 138.727Map ↗
  6. 6Lake Kawaguchi · Town≈35.517, 138.751Map ↗
  7. 7Hakone · Town≈35.232, 139.107Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsHard5–7 h up, 3–4 h downYoshida trail to the summitStart in the late morning for a sunset summit and far fewer people than the overnight sunrise push.Booking: Hut bed and trailhead fee
TrailsExpert7–10 h up, 1.5–3 h downGotemba trailLongest route; ash fills shoes without gaiters and there are no vending machines above the 5th station.
TrailsHard4–6 h upFujinomiya trailSteepest and shortest; the best route for a sunset, and the closest to the highest point.
ViewpointsModerate1 hCrater rim circuitFrom the summit, walk the rim to the meteorological station, the true 3,776 m high point.
ViewpointsEasyHalf dayLake Kawaguchi and the Five LakesThe classic reflection view; works all year and needs no climb.
ViewpointsEasyFull dayHakone ropeway and Lake AshiOnsen, ropeway and lake; Fuji views on clear days, best Oct–Feb.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

JPY ranges · check
Fees for Mount Fuji
ItemRangePerNote
Summit trail fee (all routes)JPY 4,000 (≈ US$30)personIntroduced summer 2025; collected at the trailhead (check current amount).
Mountain hut, one night with dinner and breakfastJPY 8,000–15,000 (≈ US$55–110)person2026 estimate; rises at weekends and near the summit.
Toilet use on the mountainJPY 100–300useCoin box; carry ¥100 coins.
Bus, Kawaguchiko Station to Kawaguchiko 5th StationJPY 1,540–1,700 (≈ US$11–12)person one waySeasonal; does not run when snow blocks the road.
Bus, Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko 5th Station (summer direct)JPY 2,700 (≈ US$19)person one way2026 estimate; book ahead in season.
Horse ride, Fujiguchiko trail 5th–7th stationJPY 14,000 (≈ US$95)person—

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Summit trail fee permit or guide

Pay ¥4,000 (≈ US$30) per person at the trailhead on any route to the summit, summer season only.

Yoshida trail daily cap and night closure permit or guide

The Fujiyoshida (Kawaguchiko) trail is limited to 4,000 (≈ US$30) hikers a day with no entry between 16:00 and 03:00; arrive early or book a hut.

Off-season climbing plan permit or guide

Outside the season, submit a climbing plan to the Yamanashi or Shizuoka prefectural police (mandatory since 2019).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Trail fee
¥4,000 per person on all summit trails in season; pay at the trailhead.
Yoshida trail hours and cap
No entry between 16:00 and 03:00, and a 4,000-a-day limit on the Fujiyoshida route.
Stay on the trail
Do not leave the marked path; landslide risk and clouds can cut visibility to near zero.
Do not walk the bulldozer track
On the Gotemba route the service road crosses the footpath; walking it is not allowed.
Carry out rubbish
No bins on the mountain; take everything down with you.

Where to stay

In the park

Mountain huts (7th–8th station)

Bunk, dinner and breakfast; book months ahead for weekends and Obon.

Near the park

Kawaguchiko and Fujiyoshida

Hotels, hostels and ryokan around the lake, 50 min by bus from the 5th Station.

Near the park

Hakone

Onsen inns with Fuji views on clear days; a separate base east of the mountain.

Safety

Altitude and cold at the summit medium

Layer up, bring gloves and a hat; nights at the top can be below freezing even in August.

Sunburn and thin air medium

Sunscreen and sunglasses for the descent; take 1–2 L of water per person and high-energy food.

Off-season climbing high

Do not attempt the summit outside the season without alpine experience and gear; facilities are closed and winds can knock people down.

Typhoons medium

In Aug–Sep check forecasts; buses and trails close when warnings are raised.

Accessibility

  • The Fuji Five Lakes, Hakone and the lower shrine trails are reachable by car and bus with short walks.
  • The summit trails are steep, rocky and unsuited to limited mobility; there is no vehicle access above the 5th stations.

Visiting lightly

  • Pay the trail fee and use the pay toilets; the money funds maintenance and rescue.
  • Carry all rubbish down; there are no bins on the mountain.
  • Book a hut rather than sleeping rough, and keep to the marked path to limit erosion.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Mount Fuji?

Since summer 2025 a fee of ¥4,000 per person applies on all trails to the summit, paid at the trailhead. On top of that, budget for a bus to the 5th Station (about ¥1,540–2,700 one way), pay toilets (¥100–300) and a hut bed (¥8,000–15,000 with meals).

What are the best hikes in Mount Fuji?

The Yoshida (Kawaguchiko) trail is the most popular and best served by huts. The Fujinomiya trail is the shortest and steepest and the best for a sunset. The Gotemba trail is the longest and quietest. All four summit routes need the ¥4,000 fee and are open only in the official season.

When is the best time to visit Mount Fuji?

To climb, early July to early September, on a weekday outside the 20 July–end of August school holidays. To see the mountain, October to February gives the clearest air; the summer months are the most clouded.

Can I climb Mount Fuji outside the season?

It is possible but extremely dangerous without alpine experience and equipment. Huts, buses and access roads close, and you must submit a climbing plan to the Yamanashi or Shizuoka prefectural police.

Do I need a reservation to climb Mount Fuji?

The Yoshida trail is capped at 4,000 hikers a day with no entry between 16:00 and 03:00, so book a hut or arrive early. Other trails have no daily cap but still charge the ¥4,000 fee.

How long does it take to climb Mount Fuji?

Most people take 5–7 hours up and 3–4 hours down on the Yoshida trail. The Gotemba route takes 7–10 hours up. An overnight climb for the sunrise is traditional but the busiest; a late-morning start for sunset is far quieter.

Related

travel to Japan

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources