Jeremy Kressmann is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. When not behind a desk, you'll likely find him in the mountains on various backpacking and skiing trips, or exploring the legendary food culture of Southern California.
Jeremy Kressmann is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. When not behind a desk, you'll likely find him in the mountains on various backpacking and skiing trips, or exploring the legendary food culture of Southern California.
Hi, I'm Jeremy!Jeremy Kressmann is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. When not behind a desk, you'll likely find him in the mountains on various backpacking and skiing trips, or exploring the legendary food culture of Southern California.
Hi, I'm Jeremy!Jeremy Kressmann is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. When not behind a desk, you'll likely find him in the mountains on various backpacking and skiing trips, or exploring the legendary food culture of Southern California.
Mt. Fuji draws travelers from near and far, some looking to summit the peak and others simply hoping to snap the perfect shot. Whichever type of traveler you are, visiting can require some advance planning, so here are some tips to keep in mind for your trip.
Even when Tokyo faces sweltering heat, temperatures at the top of Mt. Fuji can be chilly, if not downright frigid. At the bare minimum, day trip visitors should bring along sturdy hiking shoes, waterproof clothing, and a hat for sun protection. Those heading to the summit should be prepared with gloves, layered clothing, a flashlight, a minimum of one liter of water, and some high-energy snacks.
Mt. Fuji can be approached from a number of directions—most visitors and hikers start their trip from one of the mountain's Fifth Stations, which are waypoints reachable by mass transport and roads. The most popular Fifth Station is Kawaguchiko, although access is also available from Gotemba, Fujinomiya, and Subashiri, among others.
Visit the region at any time of year, but know that official climbing season on Mt. Fuji takes place in July and August, when temperatures at the summit are warmest and most mountain facilities are open. Only hikers with mountaineering experience and special gear attempt to climb Mt. Fuji outside of this time period; plus, roads to the Fifth Station waypoints are closed during this time. Most travelers need between four and eight hours to reach the summit, plus another two to four hours for the descent. Some summit excursions begin in the dark to time arrival at the top at sunrise.
Though Mt. Fuji offers an outdoor experience, visitors should bring along some spare cash for any necessities along the way. The Kawaguchiko Route is dotted with mountain huts selling drinks, souvenirs, basic climbing gear, simple meals, and snacks. Most huts also offer basic pay toilets along with bare-bones sleeping accommodations for those planning an early-morning climb to see the sunrise.
