2026 season guide

The 4 Official Mount Fuji Climbing Trails:
Which Route Is Right for You?

Mount Fuji has four official climbing routes, each offering a different experience. All lead to the summit at 3,776 m, but they vary in difficulty, duration, crowd levels and facilities. For night climbers aiming to see the sunrise, the Yoshida Trail is the recommended route — it has the most mountain huts, the best lighting at night, and faces east directly towards the sunrise.

Trail details

Each trail has its own character. Click through to find out what to expect, what to watch out for, and how to get there.

Yoshida Trail Mount Fuji night climb headlamps
Yoshida Trail Easy – Moderate

The most popular and accessible route to the summit. Well-maintained, clearly marked, and with the best mountain hut infrastructure on the mountain. The ascent and descent routes are separate, which helps manage crowd flow. Views of the Fuji Five Lakes and, on clear days, Tokyo's skyline.

StartFuji Subaru Line 5th Station
Elevation start2,305 m
Distance6.8 km one way
Ascent time5–7 hours
Mountain hutsMany (7 options)
Descent time~4 hours
🌙 Best trail for night climbing Most huts, best lit at night, faces east — you see the sunrise directly from the summit. Gate closes 2:00 PM – 3:00 AM. Hut reservation required for night access.
⚠ Watch out for: Heavy congestion in peak season (July–August) · Volcanic gravel makes descent slippery
Subashiri Trail Mount Fuji forest path
Subashiri Trail Moderate

Begins in lush forest, offering a peaceful and green start — a contrast to the barren volcanic slopes higher up. Merges with the Yoshida Trail above the 8th station (3,400 m). The highlight of the descent is the "Osunabashiri" — a thrilling run down soft volcanic ash.

StartSubashiri 5th Station
Elevation start2,000 m
Distance8 km one way
Ascent time6–8 hours
Mountain hutsLimited
Descent time~3 hours
🌙 Night climbing on this trail Gate restriction applies — hut reservation required for night access. Fewer huts than Yoshida. Above the 8th station, trail merges with Yoshida.
⚠ Watch out for: Lower visibility in foggy conditions · Volcanic gravel makes descent slippery
Fujinomiya Trail Mount Fuji steep ascent
Fujinomiya Trail Hard

The shortest but steepest route to the summit. Starts at the highest elevation of all four trails, which means less climbing but more intense. Second most popular trail. Offers stunning views of Suruga Bay and the Pacific Ocean on clear days. Recommended for experienced hikers only.

StartFujinomiya 5th Station
Elevation start2,400 m
Distance4.3 km one way
Ascent time4–6 hours
Mountain hutsFew
Descent time~3 hours
🌙 Night climbing on this trail Gate restriction applies — hut reservation required for night access. Good option for climbers coming from Osaka, Nagoya or Kyoto.
⚠ Watch out for: Steep incline — not suitable for beginners · Ascent and descent share the same path
Gotemba Trail Mount Fuji sandy descent osunabashiri
Gotemba Trail Very hard

The longest and least crowded route — a true endurance challenge. Starting from the lowest altitude of all trails, it has a huge elevation gain with little vegetation, creating an almost lunar landscape. The descent features the largest "Osunabashiri" sand slope, where you can run or jog down volcanic ash at speed.

StartGotemba 5th Station
Elevation start1,440 m
Distance10.5 km one way
Ascent time7–10 hours
Mountain hutsVery few
Descent time~3 hours
🌙 Night climbing on this trail Gate restriction applies — hut reservation required for night access. Fewest huts and facilities. Only recommended for experienced climbers.
⚠ Watch out for: Very long route — not recommended for beginners · Very few mountain huts or shelters

Tickets & mandatory registration

Before you can climb any of the four trails, you must register and pay the hiking fee. This is separate from your mountain hut reservation.

Mandatory for all climbers in 2026

All climbers must register their personal details and pay the ¥4,000 hiking fee before ascending. The online registration system opens from April 27, 2026.

  • Registration covers the mandatory hiking fee only — it does not include a mountain hut reservation
  • To pass the gate after 2:00 PM, you also need a confirmed mountain hut reservation
  • Payment must be made in Japanese yen (can be paid on-site at the gate)
  • To pre-pay online and avoid queues at the gate, register via the official system before your climb
  • The 2026 climbing season runs from July 1 to September 10, 2026

Ready to plan your night climb?

Book your mountain hut, plan your transport and pack the right gear — all guides in one place.

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