How to Prepare to Climb Mt. Fuji
The prospect of climbing Mt. Fuji can be daunting, for both Japanese and foreigners alike. Standing at nearly four kilometers in elevation, Mt. Fuji has long stood as an emblem of Japan, and a dream of hikers. With proper preparation and knowledge, however, even this once-in-a-lifetime task can be completed with pride and vigor.
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Instructions
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Schedule your journey. Mt. Fuji`s official climbing season is for the months of July and August. These months are incredibly busy, however, if the weather permits, you might consider making you trip in June, or September. Huts and accomodations, however, are only open during climbing season, and authorities take no responsibilty for injury to hikers that occur outside of the official season.
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Decide what is most important for you, the summit, or the climb. Mt. Fuji is 3776 meters in elevation, but nowadays, a vast majority of people simply drive, or take a bus to Mt. Fuji`s 5th Station at 2305 meters, and climb the remaining kilometer and a half from there. Hiking from the mountain`s base to the 5th station, however, provides some of the best scenery. The traditional starting point is from Fuji Sengen Shrine. From there, a round-trip hike can take 15-20 hours.
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Gauge your physical fitness. Even experienced climbers confess that hiking to the summit of Mt. Fuji is a serious challenge. Climbing only to the 5th Station, meanwhile, can still be a challenge for people in decent shape.
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Decide your route. From the 5th station alone, there are four available routes of various lengths. From longest to shortest, you can choose from the Gotenba-guchi Route, the Kawaguchiko-guchi/Yoshida-guchi Route, the Subashiri Route, or the Fujinomiya-guchi Route. The second longest route, Kawaguchiko-guchi/Yoshida-guchi, is the most popular.
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Schedule your ascent. Climbing from the base of the mountain to the 5th Station takes most individuals 4 to 5 hours, and from there, it`s another few hours to the summit. Climbing from the base, therefore, is more than a day`s work. You should plan to stay the night at the 5th station or above. Hut are available above the 5th Station, but they need to be booked in advance.
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Pack accordingly. You`ll need snacks and water at a minimum. If you plan to stay the night on Fuji in a hut or outside, you'll also need tents and warm clothing. And if you are climbing above the 5th station, bring some serious equipment such as ski poles, spiked boots, and serious sunscreen and eye protection. The amount of snow above the 5th Station, and its increased elevation, puts you at risk of severe sunburn, and even snow blindness.
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Talk to those who have gone before you. Each climber brings back their own experience, and can tell you about both how to avoid mistakes, and to get the most out of your trip.
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Tips & Warnings
For those seeking a day trip, a decent compromise might be to hike up, but to take the bus down. Decide for yourself.
Don`t expect bathrooms or accomodations at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Stations. They are presently derelict and abandoned.
