Yoshida trail

The Yoshida Trail is by far the most popular and accessible route to Mount Fuji’s summit. It’s well-maintained, clearly marked, and offers the best mountain hut infrastructure, ideal for first-time climbers. Many huts sell warm food, drinks, and souvenirs, and you can reserve a bed to rest overnight before the final ascent for sunrise (“Goraikō”).

The ascent and descent routes are separate, which helps manage crowd flow. Along the way, climbers can enjoy views of the Fuji Five Lakes region and, on clear days, even Tokyo’s skyline. However, it also means this trail gets very crowded during peak season (especially July–August

• Start: Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station
• Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
• Mountain huts: Many
• Best for: First-time climbers
• Challenges: Heavy congestion; Volcanic gravel makes the descent slippery

Subashiri trail

The Subashiri Trail begins in lush forest, offering a peaceful start with plenty of greenery — a contrast to the barren volcanic slopes higher up. It joins the Yoshida Trail around the 8th station, so the upper part can become busier.

The “Osunabashiri” (great sand run) on the descent is a highlight — climbers can literally run or slide down soft volcanic ash, which is fun and fast.

• Start: Subashiri 5th Station
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Mountain huts: Limited
• Best for: Intermediate climbers who prefer nature and fewer crowds
• Challenges: Lower visibility in foggy conditions (especially in the forest); Volcanic gravel makes the descent slippery

Fujinomiya trail

The Fujinomiya Trail is the shortest and steepest route to Mount Fuji’s summit. Because it starts at the highest elevation, it’s the fastest route overall, but the incline is quite steep. It’s the second most popular trail, with several huts and rest points along the way. It offers great views of Suruga Bay, and you can even see the Pacific Ocean on clear days.

Due to its rocky terrain and higher starting point, it is recommended for experienced hikers only.

• Start: Fujinomiya 5th Station
• Difficulty: Hard
• Mountain huts: Few
• Best for: Experienced climbers
• Challenges: Steep incline — not ideal for beginners; Ascent and descent share the same path, which can cause congestion slippery

Gotemba trail

The Gotemba Trail is the longest and least crowded route to Mount Fuji’s summit. Starting from a much lower altitude, it has a huge elevation gain and few facilities, making it a true endurance challenge. The environment is wide open with little vegetation — mostly ash, sand, and rock — offering an almost lunar landscape. The descent is famous for the “Osunabashiri”, an even larger sand slope than on Subashiri, where climbers can descend quickly by sliding or jogging through the volcanic ash.

• Start: Gotemba 5th Station
• Difficulty: Very hard
• Mountain huts: Very few
• Best for: Advanced climbers
• Challenges: Very long route, not recommended for beginners; Few mountain huts or shelters