Climbing Mount Fuji, a World Heritage! (A Complete Guide to the Yoshida Trail)

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Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

If you have climbed Mount Fuji (at an elevation of 3,776 m), the symbol of Japan, you definitely have a pleasant memory. And if you have seen the sunrise at the summit of Mount Fuji, it is absolutely an unforgettable experience!
People hike up Mount Fuji usually between early July and early September, outside which climbing Mount Fuji is not permitted. Here we recommend the Yoshida trail that is safe and convenient even for first-time climbers.

Mount Fuji has been a symbol of Japan since ancient times
Mount Fuji has been a symbol of Japan since ancient times

Contents of the Complete Guide to the Yoshida Route

Why Do We Recommend the Yoshida Trail

There are four major trails leading to the summit of Mount Fuji: Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Subashiri and Gotemba trails. The Yoshida trail and the Fujinomiya trail are safe and convenient even for first-time climbers as the two boast many mountain huts and their paths are less weary.

Map of the Yoshida trail
Map of the Yoshida trail (photos by: fujiyama-navi.jp)

Among them, the Yoshida trail is highly recommended and most popular. With the trail for ascent being different from the trail for descent, the Yoshida trail has an advantage over the Fujinomiya trail; climbers can derive more pleasure from the Yoshida trail than the Fujinomiya trail, the shortest one among the four trails; more importantly, climbers taking the Yoshida trail can see sunrise, which is called goraiko (literally meaning “arrival of light”) in Japanese.

Climbing
Climbing

However, the Yoshida trail also has its disadvantage: congestion is a common occurrence despite the fact that climbers are unlikely to get lost.

Information on the Yoshida Trail

Trailhead
Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station (altitude: 2,305 m)
Altitude difference
About 1,450 m
Round trip
About 14 km
Time required
Ascent : About 5.5 hours / Descent: 3.5 hours