Mount Fuji (富士山 Fuji-san, 3776 meters) is the highest mountain Japan and is the focal point of the sprawling Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Visible from Tokyo on a clear day, the mountain lies west of Tokyo on the main island of Honshu, straddling the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures.
overview
A perfectly proportioned cone-shaped volcano, the mountain is an almost mythical national symbol immortalized in countless works of art.
Japan We call Mount Fuji Fuji-san, but san (山) here just means "mountain", and has nothing to do with respectful san (さん) for people's names. "Fujiyama" is a misnomer of the name, and is never used by the Japanese - except in the phrase Fujiyama geisha, a lamentation of the Japan misunderstood in the West.
Leo when?
If you have the skills, climbing out of peak season can be an amazing experience - imagine being the only one on a snow-covered mountain overlooking a fantastic landscape at 3776m! And you don't have to go all the way, as in good weather the slopes of Fuji attract a lot of people doing various sports activities.
The climbing season officially lasts two months, from July to August. Even during these months, when Tokyo is usually hot with 40 °C, temperatures at the top can get cold at night and hikers must dress warmly.
Off-season climbing is extremely dangerous without climbing experience and equipment. Nearly all establishments are closed during the off season. The weather, unpredictable any time of year, is downright nasty in the winter (temperatures below -40°C have been reported upwards) and there are cases where people are literally blown away by mountain wind. All roads to the 5th station are closed out of season so you'll have a long walk. But if you insist, you're encouraged to at least file a climbing plan with the Yoshida police (Japanese only).
Luckily, there are a few options for those who aren't physically fit to climb or who want to get "closer" to the mountain during the off-season. The trails at the bottom of the mountain are less steep, and are more suitable for an afternoon hike at any time of year. Nearby Fuji Five Lakes (Fuji-Goko) has many close spots to the mountains, and Hakone also offers spectacular views. In a branch-focused nature with little to do, the city of Fujiyoshida, which has many mountains, is also home to Fuji-Q Highland, a premier amusement park.
Arrive
Mount Fuji can be approached from all sides, but be aware that transportation schedules are heavily cut outside of the official climbing season during July and August. For up-to-date information, the city of Fujiyoshida maintains a Fuji access page that lists current routes and schedules.
From Tokyo, the easiest and most popular option is to take a bus from Shinjuku to trailhead at the fifth station Kawaguchiko. Direction France The most economical is by Odakyu train from Shinjuku to Gotemba, although you will have to change trains and the price difference is quite minimal.
By plane
Fuji Shizuoka Mountain Airport near Shizuoka opened in June 2009. Despite its name, it is more than 80 kilometers west of the mountain and no closer to Mount Fuji than Tokyo's airports.
By bus
The easiest option to get up the slopes of Mount Fuji is to take the Keio express bus from Shinjuku in Tokyo. The bus lines take 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic, cost ¥2600, and will take you directly to start the climb at Kawaguchiko Station 5. To buy a ticket, take the west exit at Shinjuku station, then follow the circle of the bus stop on the left. The Keio building is on the corner near stop 26, opposite Yodobashi Camera. You can make a reservation for free at the Keio website. You will still need to pay for the ticket at the station.
By train
It's not possible to take the train directly to Mount Fuji, but you can get pretty close and change to a bus for the rest of the way, and doing it this way allows you to use any of the routes. go up or down. From Tokyo, the two main boarding points are Fujiyoshida and Gotemba, while visitors come from the west Japan can choose not for Fujinomiya (Shin-Fuji).
Via Fujiyoshida
Fujiyoshida can be reached by taking the JR Chuo line to Otsuki and changing to the Fujikyu line. The Fujikyu Line passes through Fujiyoshida to Kawaguchiko, from where the hourly bus (50 minutes, ¥1700) shuttles to the 5th stop. If you plan on walking from the foot of the mountain, Fujiyoshida is, well, the starting point of the line. Yoshida Street. You will be able to visit Fujiyoshida Sengenjinja (temple) on the way to the top of the mountain.
Sleep
Huts from terminal 7 onwards also provide basic accommodation, and reservations are required. Rates are standardized at ¥5250 per night for a very tight space (one tatami mat or less) shared with 150-500 bad breath, snoring and smelly socks, plus an option of ¥1050/ 2100 for one/two meals.
Note that most huts will not allow visitors to stay in (heated) huts without paying a rest fee, either ¥1000-2000 per hour or ¥5,000 for the entire night. Fees can be waived if you purchase a meal.
The huts also have very basic toilets, but they charge a fee (¥100/200). Instead of the usual toxic deodorizers, some toilets use a scent to mask the smell of waste.