Climbing Mt Fuji (2nd climb, 2010)

Mt Fuji 5th Station

It has been 3 years since our first climb on Mt Fuji (July, 2007), and with the much experience gained, planning the climb was easy in terms of transportation and lodging at the mountain. This time round, we were climbing with a group of friends, making the climb more interesting. The climbing period opens from 1st July till end of August; the peak season begins around the 1st week of August. Unfortunately we were caught in this peak season. It was said that the peak period seems to be the time when the weather is most stable, and or cost warm for the clear skies. You can expect great view from the summit, and a lot of sun too.

We arrived in Tokyo 2 days before the climb. Day 1 was for us to do some local city shopping before heading into to Mt Fuji and it was luckily planned for as one of the members forgot to bring his hiking boots for the climb. Since it was peak season, getting transportation is very important.

Kawaguchiko Bus Station

There are limited schedules for direct bus from Shinjuku to Mt Fuji, so do book in advance online to secure your seats. For us, there were just not enough seats for us when we tried to book. We took the alternative way which is to get tickets to the Mt Fuji town of Kawaguchiko, and from there take a regular shuttle bus to the Yoshida Trail on the 5th station. Of course there is the JR train option, but it takes longer to get to Kawaguchiko station and nonetheless, you will still need to take the shuttle bus to 5th station.


The climb was set for a Monday, hoping to see fewer crowds. But this wasn’t the case. The entire 5th station car park was packed with tourists and hikers, either returning from their ascent or preparing for their climb. Even the shuttle bus that we took from Kawaguchiko town was packed to the door steps. Those that couldn’t get a seat have to stand the entire journey. At the 5th station, the skies were overcast and thick clouds looming over the summit. But it was a cool day to start the climb. We started at the trailhead at 11am, hoping to reach out 8th station hut for dinner and rest till the next morning ascent.

6th Station, Safety & Guidance Centre

Zigzag trail to 7th station

5th station where we came from.

Another view of the zigzag trail

After 30mins of walking, we reach the 6th station Safety and Guidance Centre (2390m) is actually a 6th Station altitude which you can see from here during the day. There are few hikers who will take the other route to reach that hut. For me, it was my 1st climb at night that we ended up at the hut (Satomidaira Seikan-so). It is the same commercialized hut offering drinks, snacks and hot-iron stamps for those souvenir wooden poles. From here it is a non-stop zigzag until the 1st mountain hut, the 7th station Hinode-kan. The prices of the drinks at this hut were slightly higher that the next 7th station hut. Maybe this was the 1st 7th hut and everyone wants to get a refreshing drink. The next hut is only a few more steps away.

7th station hut. 3 years ago same spot for photo.

The trail behind us near 8th Station.

At around 4:30pm, we reached our 8th station hut, the Hakuun-so. Immediately after setting our backpacks aside and getting our bedding accommodation settled, we were rushed off for the dinner. It was a mix of curry gravy rice and some light vegetables. My favorite part was the potato croquette and the hot green tea. It was almost sunset time and the temperature outside started to drop. We got into our thermals and fleece to keep us warm.

Sunset view from 8th station

We planned to start the next morning climb at around 1am. But as some members of the group were unwell and did not want to endanger themselves and others, so they opted out of the summit challenge. Only 3 of our group of 7 decided to stay behind. As for me, this was not my 1st climb to the summit and preferred to stay behind and worked out some logistics to descend the next sunrise while the other went on to the summit. And to rejoin later at the descending trail. It was a good day for the climb, the weather was stable and clear skies. The summiting group enjoyed a wonderful view of the sunrise.

Sunrise view from our 8th station hut

Fortunately, all the huts are built to face the east, and the sun that rises from the Pacific Ocean. We stood comfortably in the warm hut lodge and looked out the window while the sun started off as a red egg yolk below the clouds, rising above the clouds. Rays of light streak through the morning thick clouds below us. It was a sight not to be missed. Every trekker in their path stopped and whisked out all their gadgets to catch pictures of the rising sun. This is Japan, land of the rising sun because everyday, it is just the Pacific Ocean that is between Japan and the sun.

Part of sand-sliding decending trail near the summit.

There are a few places where the ascending trail linked to the descending trail. The summit has a trail that leads to the sand-sliding descending trail; and the 8th station hut, the Ganso-muro. There is a path on the left side of the hut that joins to the descending trail. It takes about 2 hrs to descend from this 8th station back to the 6th station Safety centre. On a good sunny day, esp. in the morning, it gets real warm and everyone can be seen taking break stops along the way. There is no shelter along the way until the public toilet area which is about the altitude of the 1st 7th station hut.

Part of the descending trail.

Getting closer to 6th station safety centre

We returned to the 5th station car park at around 10:30am. We took the shuttle bus back to Kawaguchiko Town, and change to an express bus heading back to Shinjuku.

Streets of Shinjuku

Mt Fuji Expenses:

Bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko: Yen$1700
Shuttle Bus from Kawaguchi to 5th station: Yen$ 1000 (2 way, one way is 700yen)
Accommodation at 8th station with dinner: Yen $6500
Bus from Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku: Yen$1700