Climbing Mount Fuji, a World Heritage! (A Complete Guide to the Yoshida Trail)
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Climbing on the Yoshida Trail to Enjoy a Sight of Sunrise!
The ascent along the Yoshida trail normally takes around 5.5 hours.
The recommended itinerary is as follows: start climbing around lunchtime (about 11:00), get to the mountain hut at dusk (about 17:00), have supper and stay there for a night, go to see the sunrise at the summit before dawn (about 4:00), descend the mountain early in the morning (about 6:00) and return to the Yoshida Trail 5th Station at around 10:00.
Itinerary
- 12:00：start to climb
- 17:00：arrive at the mountain hut where you have reserved a bed
- 4:00 of the next day: arrive at the summit to see sunrise
- 6:00： go down the mountain
- 10:00：return to the Yoshida Trail 5th Station
※ For instance: If you stay in a mountain hut at the 8th Station, you must set off around 1:30 in the morning to arrive at the summit by 3:30.
The ascent along the Yoshida trail is mainly divided into four sections: the 5th Station to the 6th Station, the 6th Station to the 7th Station, the 8th Station to the Original 8th Station to the summit, and the summit to the descent trailhead. Among them, the path between 7th Station and 8th Station is most bumpy, so to save your strength from the very beginning is the key to climb along the Yoshida trail.
The 5th Station to the 6th Station (2300 m - 2400 m / about 1 hour)
Your climb starts from the ascent trailhead, from which a gentle and broad path runs. Maybe, you forget to conserve your strength and can’t help speeding up since you might take the path lightly. Hence you are advised to walk slowly while appreciate the mighty mountains on your right hand, such as Mountain Yatake and Mountain Okuchichibu.
The sight of the Mount Fuji Safety Guidance Center means that you have arrived at the 6th Station.
The 6th Station to the 7th Station to the 8th Station (2400 m - 3000 m / about 2.5 hours)
After drinking some water at the 6th Station, you head for the 7th Station through a sandy path, which is more tiring than that between the 5th Station and the 6th Station, but not very taxing.
Having passed the 7th Station, you face increasingly rugged, steep, rocky slopes, which are the most arduous part of the Yoshida trail. You might feel tired at first, but you gradually grow accustomed to the unevenness.
Also for this reason, quite a few mountain huts are built along the path for climbers to have a rest. You might as well refresh yourself in a mountain hut before experiencing fatigue.
The 8th Station to the Original 8th Station to the Summit (3000 m - 3700 m / about 2 hours)
When you depart the 8th Station, you have reached the altitude of 3000m, and the temperature is decreasing and the air is getting thinner. A rocky path still runs.
But if you have reserved a bed in a mountain hut at the 8th Station or the Original 8th Station, you had better take the mountain hut as one of your destinations and regain your strength there.
You are advised to breathe deeply while move forward slowly.
※ There are a trail for descent near the 8th Station. If you feel discomfort and show the symptoms (nausea or vomiting) of altitude sickness, please do not force yourself to move on!
According to the itinerary, you rest in a hut near the 8th Station and resume your climb before dawn; Goraiko-kan is the last mountain hut at the 8.5th Station.
After passing the 9th Station with a torii and climbing on the top of the steps, you arrive at Kusushi Shrine, the destination of the climb!
The sight of sunrise is an unforgettable gift only for brave climbers!
Although it is still in the early morning, climbers have thronged there and everyone is exciting!
Time of Sunrise at the Summit of Mount Fuji between July and August
The time of sunrise at the summit of Mount Fuji between July and August is as follows:
- Early July: Around 4:30
- Late July Around 4:45
- Early August: Around 4:50
- Late August: Around 5:00
At around 4:50, the sun emerges from the sea of clouds and looks mysteriously beautiful over the summit of Mount Fuji!
The Summit to the Descent Trailhead (time required: about 3.5 hours)
On taking the trail for descent, you begin to go down the mountain. The descent is much easier than the ascent. If you have a trekking pole, it can reduce the stress on your knees when you descend a mountain. The descent trailhead is in front of a mountain hut near Kusushi Shrine. When you get to the 8th Station, where there are forks for the Yoshida trail and the Subashiri trail respectively, be sure to take the left fork, which is the descent trailhead of the Yoshida trail.
The above is the information for first-time climbers for Mount Fuji. Climbers depart from Shinjuku, start ascent from the trailhead at Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station and stay overnight in a mountain hut before appreciating the sunrise at the summit in the next day. August is the time for climbing Mount Fuji, and should you have interest, be sure to challenge yourself!