There are four official trails; all are well-marked, and simple rustic lodgings are located at each stage of the climb. There are also places to eat and rest, and buy souvenirs along the way. Most people who ascend Mt Fuji take a bus to the 5th Station, the highest level reachable by regular vehicle. Each trail’s fifth station is considered the start and finish point for the majority of would-be climbers, and each is packed with restaurants, hotels, souvenir stalls, and all the other trappings of a tourist haven. Equipment and supplies are available for purchase at the stations and sub-stations along the way, however, they can be expensive and it’s better to take your own.

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Kawaguchiko-guchi  ~ Sunrise (ascent = 5~6hr. /descent = 3hr.) Starting point: 2,300 m.

This is the most popular trail of the four available and is said to provide the most beautiful view of the sunrise. It is also considered the safest providing plenty of mountain huts to rest at. You won’t even need a map to follow the route to the top – even though the route is well marked by chains, the amount of people climbing in the peak season means that you just need to follow the person in front of you.

The route, which begins at the 5th Station (go-gō-me五合目) and continues to the summit. Various alpine plants inhibit the slopes until the 8th Station (hachi-gō-me 八合目) at a height of 3,300 m where upon they are replaced by rocks and mountainous dirt.

■Route Data
■Starting Elevation: 2,305m (7,560ft)  ■Summit Elevation: 3,776 m (12,388 ft)
■Distance to summit: (5.8km / 3.6mile)  ■Ascent Time: 5 - 6 hours   ■Descent Time: 3 hours

Access By Bus to Kawaguchiko Station from Nagoya
There is a daily bus service from Nagoya to Kawaguchiko Station 河口湖駅. The bus departs from the Meitetsu Bus Center名鉄バスセンター - located next to Meitetsu Nagoya Station.
■Fare: Return fare (adults 7000 Yen, children 3500 Yen), Single fare (adults 4000 Yen, children 2000 Yen)
■Seat Reservations: Reservations are required and can be made upto 1 month in advance and can be made in several ways:

■By visiting a Meitetsu Travel Center ■By visiting either the Nagoya, Kanayama, or Sakae Machi Station Meitetsu Service Center ■By calling the Meitetsu Bus Center at 052-582-0489 (08:00 - 19:00) ■By reserving on-line at www.highwaybus.com  (in Japanese) and collecting your ticket at a convenience store.

■Departure Times

There:
Meitetsu Bus Center (3F stop #5) 07:40
Hoshigaoka (from in front of the bus terminal) 08:05
Kawaguchiko Station 12:00

Return:
Kawaguchiko Station 17:30
Hoshigaoka 21:25
Meitetsu Bus Center 21:50

Access By Train to Kawaguchiko Station from Nagoya

Take the Kodama Shinkansen (neither the Nozomi or the Hikari stop at Mishima) to Mishima station.  Then take the Fuji Kyuko Bus to Kawaguchiko station. They leave about once an hour between 06:45~18:15 (2hrs. 2,130).  From there take the bus to go-go-me (55mins. 1,700 Yen one-way or 2,000 Yen return, 07:20~21:15).  

■From Kawaguchiko Station ↔The 5th Station
From Kawaguchiko Station take the fuji-san-tozan bus 富士山登山バスto go-go-me 五合目(the 5th Station). Buy a return ticket at the bus terminal (2000 Yen adults, 1000 children) or a single fare ticket on the bus (1500 Yen adults, 750 children). Takes 55 minutes. Between July 12 and August 31 buses depart about once each hour between 07:20 and 21:15; return trip buses are available between 08:30 and 22:10.

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Fujinomiya-guchi (Mishima) ~ Kagefuji  (ascent = 4hr. 30min. /descent = 2hr. 30min.)  Starting point: 2,400 m.

    This is the oldest, shortest and a comparatively easy route, providing a view of kagefuji in both the morning and evening.  From the entrance of the walking trail you can see your goal, the white dome of the weather station at the summit.  At shin-go-gō-me (new 5^th station) alpine plants grow on the surrounding volcanic desert and the Ochudo trail intersection marks roku-gō-me (6^th station).  Although there is no view to the east, from here you are met with a panoramic view of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka prefecture.  Compared to the other routes the trail is relatively sheltered from the wind enabling an easier climb. 

Access: Take the Kodama shinkansen to Shinfuji (7,330 Yen; plus 200 Yen between 7/21~8/31) and then take the bus to go-gō-me (2hr.10min. 2,310 Yen). OR Take the Tokaido line from Nagoya to Fuji station (4~5hr. 3,800 Yen) and then the Minobe line to Fujinomiya station (20min).  From Fujinomiya station take a bus to Shin-go-gō-me (1hr. 30min, 1,970 Yen).  OR take the Kodama shinkansen to Mishima (2hr. 8,070Yen) or the Hikari shinkansen (1hr. 30min, 8.070 Yen, plus 200 Yen between 7/21~8/31) and then the bus to go-gō-me (2hr. 5min, 2,390Yen).

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Gotenba-guchi - Hoei Crater  (ascent = 7hr. 20min. /descent = 3hr.)  Starting point: 1,440 m.

    This trail starts at shin-go-gō-me (new 5^th station) at a height of 1,440 m and was once called ni-gō-me (2^nd station).  The Hōei crater was formed with the eruption of Hōei-san, one of the mountains forming Fuji-san in 1689. The eruption destroyed all life in the area and even today plants are unable to survive in the barren surroundings. Temperatures are high during the day, so be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen if you plan to take this course. Due to the long distance, this course is less popular on ascent. The trail made up of gravel enables one to sunabashiri, or sand slide, where it’s possible to descend 2-3m with one step. This course is said to be fun for descending the mountain and surveys have shown that most of the people utilizing this route use it for the return journey. 

Access: Take the Tokaido line from Nagoya to Numazu and then the Gotenba line to Gotenba (5hr. 4,620 Yen).  Then take a bus to the Gotenba trail Shin-go-gō-me (45min. 1,080 Yen).

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Subashiri-guchi  (ascent = 5hr. 30min. /descent = 2hr. 30min.)  Starting point: 2,000 m.

    The Subashiri route is also famous for sunabashiri, or sand sliding on descent.  On ascent you begin from Komitake-jinja (shrine) at shin-go-gō-me.  After passing through the shrubbery on from the shrine a magnificent view of the Tanazawa and Hakonayama Mountains appears in the distance.  Continuing along the trail a panoramic view of Suruga Bay and the Izu peninsula opens before you.  The trail surrounds flourish with flowers and other alpine plants until shichi-gō-me (7^th station) providing an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere for the climb.  At hachi-gō-me the (Yoshida) Kawaguchiko route joins the trail.  From here you can see the torii gate at the summit, which is not far off.

Access: Same as Gotenba-guchi (see above), however, take the bus for Subashiri trail Shin-go-go-me (1hr. 1500 Yen) from Gotenba station.

* Please note that climbing times are approximations only and will differ between individuals, the times given do not include rest periods.

* The number of buses daily differ throughout the climbing season.  Be sure to check times before your departure.