Mount Fuji, on the Japanese island Honshu, is one of the most recognizable physical landmarks in the nation of Japan. It has been the focus of numerous works of art and is regarded as a national symbol. Japan’s tallest mountain is located in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
Rising 12,388 feet (3776 meters) above sea level, Mount Fuji is a challenge for amateur and experienced mountain climbers. Almost 300,000 people visit the mountain each year. About one-third of all climbers hail from elsewhere in the world. Most of these Mount Fuji visitors climb in the period of July 20 to August 31, with the prime climbing period in mid-August. There can actually be human traffic jams in some places on the mountain during this time. The first two weeks of July is when a visitor to Mount Fuji will find fewest crowds, but will still have access to the mountain facilities.
Visitors with limited climbing experience would be well-advised to climb with a tour group, confine their visit to Mount Fuji to July or August, and be physically fit as well as prepared with the proper equipment and clothing.
Visitors to Mount Fuji who are experienced alpine climbers may ascend the mountain during other months of the year if they understand the extreme conditions they may encounter. In late June and again in September, climbers on Mount Fuji’s uppermost heights are subjected to frigid sub-zero temperatures. Combine the freezing temperatures with powerful blasts of wind and snow on the peak, and even experienced climbers must take extra care against accident, injury, and hypothermia. Many facilities like roads, base camps, and mountain hut shelters close from September through the first of June. Visitors to Mount Fuji during these months should be sure to file a climbing plan with the police in Yoshida.
Mount Fuji has ten divisions or stations at various elevations of the mountain. At about 4593.2 to 7874 feet (1400 to 2400 meters) are the fifth station base camps from which to start the ascent to the top. The paved roads go as far as this and stop. The most popular of the four fifth stations is Kawaguchiko (Fujiyoshida) on the eastern slope. About twelve mountain huts are along this trail and may be used as an overnight resting place for a fee.
A total of six trails of varying degrees of difficulty can be taken to the top of Mount Fuji. The true summit of Mount Fuji is the meteorological station on the western side of the dormant cinder crater. No visit to Mount Fuji is complete with a one-hour hike around the crater or a visit to the true summit.
Other places to visit around the base of Mount Fuji include the Fuji Five Lakes (Fuji-Goko) area, the Sengen Shrine, and Fujikyu Highlands Amusement Park with its world famous Fujiyama roller coaster ride. Tokyo lies 62 miles (100 kilometers) to the northeast.
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