All You Need to Know About Visiting Mt. Fuji

Standing at 3,776 meters tall, majestic Mt. Fuji is not only Japan's highest peak but also one of the country's most iconic symbols. Immortalized in countless photos and works of art and regarded by Shinto and Shugendo practitioners as a sacred site, this famous mountain with its symmetrical shape and snow-tipped peak is not to be missed when visiting Japan.

When the skies are clear, you might spot Mt. Fuji in the distance from Tokyo's high-rise observatories or catch a glimpse of it aboard the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train linking Tokyo to Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka. But if tiny, blurry snapshots aren't enough for you, consider visiting Mt. Fuji itself.

Whether you want to climb Mt. Fuji or just get a closer look from a good vantage point, here's our guide to visiting Mt. Fuji.

Mt. Fuji straddles two prefectures: Shizuoka and Yamanashi. Both are not too far from Tokyo and are conveniently linked to it via railway and bus networks, though Yamanashi is closer.

The Shizuoka side is considered the front (Omote-Fuji in Japanese). It’s also nicknamed Onna Fuji (female Fuji) because Mt. Fuji’s gently sloping ridgeline as seen from here calls to mind a woman.

Meanwhile, the Yamanashi side is considered the back (Ura-Fuji). It’s nicknamed Otoko Fuji (male Fuji) because the view from this side is reminiscent of a man with broad square shoulders.

Which side has the better view has always been up for debate. Naturally, locals of both Shizuoka and Yamanashi will rate their own prefecture and claim that it has the better view.

For what it’s worth, the Yamanashi side has a higher concentration of popular Fuji-related sights and attractions, such as the Fuji Five Lakes. Although Shizuoka certainly has its share of breathtaking natural wonders aside from Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi is usually where tourists go for Mt. Fuji-related sightseeing.

For climbers and regular tourists alike, most Mt. Fuji excursions start at the fifth of its 10 stations (the first station being the foot of the mountain). Since there are four climbing trails to the summit, each trail has its own Fifth Station, the best-known among them being the Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station. 

For several reasons, the Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station is practically the gateway to Mt. Fuji. For one, it’s the starting point for the Yoshida Trail, the most popular trail to the peak. It’s also the easiest to reach from Tokyo via public transportation and the only entry point accessible year-round (weather permitting), even outside of climbing season.

During the climbing season, direct buses run from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku) to and from the Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station, taking about two and a half hours one-way.

Otherwise, take the Chuo Line from Shinjuku to Otsuki Station (60–100 minutes, depending on whether you take the rapid train or the Limited Express). Transfer to the Fujikyuko Line there, then get off at Fujisan or Kawaguchiko Station (40–60 minutes). At either station, you can then take a bus to Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station (50–60 minutes).

Keep in mind, however, that the Fifth Station is closed to private vehicles during climbing season.

If you plan to climb Mt. Fuji, note that the official climbing season is in summer, from early July to mid-September, with exact dates varying yearly. This is because the conditions on Mt. Fuji during this time are optimal for beginner and seasoned climbers alike: mild weather and little to no snow at the top. 

Off-season climbing is allowed for experienced climbers, albeit at their own risk and subject to the approval of local authorities. Anyone who wishes to do so must submit paperwork indicating in detail their plans for climbing Mt. Fuji.

But if you just want to go sightseeing at or around Mt. Fuji, you can visit all year round. Seasonal beauty awaits no matter when you visit. In spring, you can catch the iconic sight of cherry blossoms framing Japan’s most famous peak and colorful flower festivals nearby in April and May. 

And since Mt. Fuji is still snow-covered in spring, you can have fun building a snowman, starting snowball fights, and more at its Fifth Station. If you’re lucky, you might even see snow and sakura (cherry blossoms) at the same time! 

Meanwhile, in summer, the area surrounding Mt. Fuji is awash in greenery. For example, the tea fields of Shizuoka with Mt. Fuji in the background makes for a lovely sight. 

Summer is also a great time for getaways to the Fuji Five Lakes, which are great for outdoor activities such as yachting, cycling around the lake, and lakeside picnics. There are a variety of accommodations around this area, so you can take it easy and spread out your activities over a couple of days (or more). Autumn brings more seasonal colors, as the trees burst into shades of red, orange, and yellow from late October to around mid-November.

Finally, while it may seem that there won’t be much to see around Mt. Fuji in winter, that’s not the case. Though snow on the mountain can lead to road closures, making the Fifth Station inaccessible, you can enjoy great views of Mt. Fuji from the towns bordering it. Winter is actually when Mt. Fuji’s visibility is best, as it’s usually not obscured by clouds during this time. 

It’s worth noting that autumn to winter — specifically October to February — is also when the stunning “Diamond Fuji” is more likely to be observed. This natural phenomenon occurs when the sun rises or sets right above Mt. Fuji’s summit, causing it to shine like a diamond.

Even rarer is the “Double Diamond Fuji” phenomenon, when Mt. Fuji and the sun above it are perfectly reflected on the water’s surface — head to Yamanashi’s Lake Yamanaka or Shizuoka’s Lake Tanuki to try your luck.

Depending on which trail you choose — there are four to choose from — climbing Mt. Fuji takes five to 10 hours, while the descent takes around three to six hours.

The four trails, all color-coded, are:

• Yoshida Trail (yellow): The most popular and beginner-friendly trail, offering incredible views of the Fuji Five Lakes and plenty of mountain huts — no-frills accommodations for climbers to spend the night.
• Fujinomiya Trail (blue): The shortest but steepest.
• Subashiri Trail (red): Less crowded, but also less equipped with mountain huts; involves some hiking through forests.
• Gotemba Trail (green): The most difficult and time-consuming; not recommended for beginners.

As the sunrise from the top is simply magical, most climbers make their ascent at night to catch the first rays of daybreak. If you’re a beginner, you might want to climb Mt. Fuji during the day for your safety; climbing in the dark carries more risks.

Spreading out your Mt. Fuji climb over two days is the best way to go. Even if you think you can handle it, local authorities discourage “bullet climbing”, the practice of climbing Mt. Fuji to the top without stopping to rest at a mountain hut. Getting some rest will allow your body to better adjust to the elevation, decreasing your odds of developing altitude sickness.

Dress and pack accordingly for your climb, as the weather and terrain from the Fifth Station to the summit vary drastically. Stock up on plenty of water and snacks, and bring some cash (including coins) to use the mountain huts and restrooms along the trail. You’ll also want to bring trash bags, as climbers are asked to take their trash back with them to keep Mt. Fuji clean.

As long as you’re well-prepared and equipped, and you know and respect your body’s limits, you should be good to go for a challenging but incident-free climb up Mt. Fuji — a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Not up for scaling Mt. Fuji all the way to the summit? Don’t give up on visiting! As previously mentioned, the Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station is accessible all year round (though it’s best to check in advance if entry may be closed due to heavy snow or other conditions). 

This is a sightseeing attraction in itself, as you can occupy yourself with plenty of activities here. You can buy charming souvenirs, send a postcard to yourself with proof that you visited Mt. Fuji, nibble on Mt. Fuji-themed dishes and snacks, go on a scenic trek of the vicinity, and pay respects at Komitake Shrine, to name a few. 

The Fifth Station also has an observation deck with panoramic views of Lake Yamanaka and the town of Fujiyoshida and ponies that you can ride around the area.

Some would say that Mt. Fuji is better seen from afar than visited, and if climbing Mt. Fuji isn’t exactly on your bucket list, you might be inclined to agree. In this case, you might be better off visiting the area around Mt. Fuji instead of the mountain itself.

Take in picture-perfect views of Mt. Fuji from the Fuji Five Lakes. All five lakes offer a peaceful, quiet escape from the city and are ideal for outdoor fun. Hot-spring facilities and quaint attractions like the Oshino Hakkai ponds can be found all over. Even better, all are just a bus ride (or train-and-bus rides) away from Tokyo, with Kawaguchiko being the easiest to access.

Also on the Yamanashi side of Mt. Fuji is Fuji-Q Highland, a popular theme park famous not only for its views of Mt. Fuji, but also for thrilling roller coasters and what’s said to be one of the world’s scariest haunted-house attractions. 

Meanwhile, on the Shizuoka side, one of the closest towns to Mt. Fuji is Gotemba, home to the shopaholics’ paradise, that is Gotemba Premium Outlets. 

And although it’s in neither Yamanashi nor Shizuoka Prefecture, the hot-spring resort town of Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture — also fairly close to Tokyo — is another popular destination for admiring Mt. Fuji. For budget-friendly places to stay, check out our guide to the best hotels in Kanagawa under $150.

If you want to take the hassle out of planning, many tour operators offer Mt. Fuji day trips combining a visit to Mt. Fuji’s Fifth Station with Hakone, the Fuji Five Lakes, and/or shopping time at Gotemba. But there’s plenty to do in the destinations we mentioned, so if you’ve got time and the budget to spare, we recommend taking it easy and just focusing on one area at a time!