The Mount Fuji tour time depends largely on the type of Mount Fuji tickets you have purchased and the type of experience you want from your visit.
Typically, it takes around 11 hours on average for travelers to visit Mount Fuji from Tokyo, including the round trip transfer, the time needed for exploring Mount Fuji and visiting the nearby areas.
The time taken for your Mount Fuji tour also depends on your chosen mode of transportation, varying the time by more than three hours.
Another factor determining how long it takes at Mount Fuji is whether you want to explore the nearby attractions like the Fuji Lakes or not.
This article will answer all your queries about how long does it take to climb Mount Fuji Japan and much more.
How Long Would it Take to Climb Mount Fuji?
All of the Mount Fuji climbs start from the 5th Station. There are four 5th Stations at different altitudes and sides of Mount Fuji.
Your Mount Fuji hike time depends largely on what route or trail you pick to climb to the summit of Mount Fuji, as not all routes are of the same length and difficulty.
Along with the trails, your own pace, endurance, strength and mental fortitude play a major part.
For instance, the Fujinomiya Trail starts from the Fujinomiya 5th Station, which is located at an altitude of 2400 m (7874 ft).
This is the shortest route to Mount Fuji, where hikers take approximately five hours to reach the summit.
Even though it is the fastest route to the top, it is only picked by experienced hikers due to its innate difficulty, the path is rocky and steep.
Yoshida Trail, starting from the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station, is the most popular of all routes.
Last year, 150,000 out of 200,000 visitors chose this trail to climb Mount Fuji as it strikes a good balance of short and relatively less challenging paths.
The third trail is the Subashiri Trail route, starting from Subashiri 5th Station located at an altitude of 2000 m (6561 ft).
With this route, visitors take the same time as the Yoshida Trail, six hours to reach the Mount Fuji summit.
However, many do not pick the Subashiri Trail due to the lack of a first aid center and other amenities.
Note: Visitors who want to scale the top of Mount Fuji can only do so during a small window each year, which is called the Climbing Season.
Read our detailed spread on Climbing Season to know all the relevant details for a smooth climb without any hiccups.
For the rest of the visitors, read the best time to visit Mount Fuji before booking your Mount Fuji tickets.
The longest route to the Mount Fuji Summit is via Gotemba Trail, which starts from Gotemba Trail New 5th Station at a low altitude of merely 1400 m (4593 ft).
It takes around seven hours for Mount Fuji hikers to reach the top. The path is not steep or rocky but requires much endurance and strength.
This is recommended to only experienced hikers who can walk a lot, want to take a steady approach to the top, and don’t want to rush it.
Each of the four trails offers different challenges, slopes, amenities, and conveniences. Thus, choosing the correct trail can make a difference of at least three to four hours.
| Trail Names | Elevation/Starting Point/5th Station | Ascent (Climbing up to the Summit) | Descent (Going Down to the Trail) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoshida Trail (Yellow) | 2300 m (7546 ft) | 6 Hours | 4 Hours |
| Subashiri Trail (Red) | 2000 m (6561 ft) | 6 Hours | 3 Hours |
| Gotemba Trail (Green) | 1450 m (4757 ft) | 7 Hours | 3 Hours |
| Fujinomiya Trail (Blue) | 2400 m (7874 ft) | 5 Hours | 3 Hours |
A majority of the people climb Mount Fuji in two days– You can rest and stay in a hut between Mount Fuji 5th Station and the peak during the night.
Start early the next day when it is dark and reach the peak at the time of sunset. This is highly rewarding but, at the same time, is only advisable for experienced hikers.
Even though the Mount Fuji climb is a beginner-friendly hike, climbing it in the dark can be dangerous for less experienced hikers. Accidents do happen, so carry a headlamp. Those who want to climb Mount Fuji are recommended to do it in a group led by an expert guide to help them through this rewarding yet dangerous hike.Get the Mount Fuji trekking ticket to make your hike a smooth sailing so that you can focus on the views and enjoy the journey.
How Long to Visit Mount Fuji?
Your Mount Fuji tour and how long it takes at Mount Fuji will depend entirely on the type of Mount Fuji tickets you have opted for.
If you are not keen on climbing Mount Fuji, your tour timings may be less than the trekkers.
Most of the Mount Fuji tickets are at least 11-hour-long tours from Tokyo. These Mount Fuji tours include a visit to the 5th station, the starting point of the trail.
These Stations offer an observatory perfect for admiring the stunning peak of Mount Fuji.
Many Mount Fuji tours involve cruising in the nearby lake and ropeway adventures.
Regardless of what activities are included in your Mount Fuji tour, it will be a full-day tour.
Picking one of the transfer tickets is advisable for the smooth and hassle-free round-trip transfer facility. Let’s check out the list of the top five Mount Fuji tickets.
| Mount Fuji Tickets | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Mt Fuji, Hakone Lake Cruise from Bullet Train | – Mount Fuji Tickets (Subaru 5th Station). – Lake Ashinoko Cruise. – Hakone Ropeway tickets. – One-way vehicle ride. – One-way bullet train (Shinkansen) ride to Tokyo Station. – Lunch optional upgrade available. | ¥22,000 (US $158)/Adult |
| #2 Mt Fuji, Hakone, Lake Ashi Cruise Bus trip from Tokyo | – Mount Fuji Tickets (Subaru 5th Station). – Lake Ashinoko Cruise. – Hakone Komagatake Ropeway tickets. – An expert professional English-speaking guide. – Lunch optional upgrade available. | ¥19,500 (US $140)/Adult |
| #3 Private Mt Fuji Tour from Tokyo with Scenic BBQ and Hidden Gems | – Mount Fuji 5th Station tour. – Access to Arakurayama Sengen park. – Lunch: Scenic Japanese BBQ lunch at the foot of Mount Fuji, with vegan options available. – Memorable photography session at Hidden Gems. – An expert English-speaking local guide/driver. – An air-conditioned vehicle. | ¥35,000 (US $254)/Adult |
| #4 Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, Onsen Day Tour | – A full day from JR Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station to Mount Fuji. – An expert guide who can speak English, Japanese, and Chinese. – An air-conditioned transportation. – Pickup and drop off from designated areas. – Optional upgrade for various activities during sightseeing. | ¥9,300 (US $66)/Adult |
| #5 Mount Fuji Area Private Guided Tours in English | – Start from Kawaguchiko station or Fujikawaguchiko area hotels. – A private tour of the Mount Fuji area at your own pace. – An expert native English-speaking guide/driver. | ¥46,178 (US $320)/Guest |
Apart from the standard Mount Fuji tickets from Tokyo, visitors can also opt for the Guided tour to understand Mount Fuji’s significance and rich history under the supervision of a guide.
If you want a romantic rendezvous, getting a private tour ensures you enjoy Mount Fuji at your own pace and comprehensively explore the nearby area full of abundant nature.
Note: Visitors should know about the emergency services like Help & Rescue Requests in case they face some emergency.
To make your visit hassle-free, read the Tips for Visiting to avoid rookie mistakes and make a smooth journey.
How Long to Spend at Mount Fuji?
We recommend at least two days if you want to climb Mount Fuji. On day one, climb Mount Fuji with the Mount Fuji Group Trekking Tickets.
Keep the second day solely for exploring nearby areas and indulging in activities offered.
The adequate time or recommended time to spend at Mount Fuji depends solely on your itinerary and plans for further exploring other nearby attractions.
The nearby area of Mount Fuji is full of hidden gems like Fuji Five Lakes and various other activities, including the rewarding Fuji-Q Highland Park.
Thus, an ideal tour time for Mount Fuji should be at least two to three days.
This allows ample time for hiking, climbing, visiting shrines and springs, and trying local food and nearby attractions.
Beyond this, how much time you want to spend at Mount Fuji is a personal choice and interest.
FAQs
1. Can you climb Mount Fuji in one day?
Yes. More than 200,000 guests climb Mount Fuji each year, most of whom trek in a day. However, choosing the correct trail that suits your itinerary and capabilities is crucial. Even though Mount Fuji is a beginner-friendly climb, it can be really dangerous for first-timers. Know about help and rescue. We recommend getting the Mount Fuji Trekking Ticket, which is led by an expert guide in a group of nine travelers.
2. How hard is Mount Fuji to Climb?
Mount Fuji is one of the beginner-friendly hikes, with more than 200,000 hikers climbing to the summit each year. With four different trail routes, less-experienced guests can take the easier, gentle slopes with less challenging routes to reach the top safely. Read Tips for Visiting Mount Fuji. However, due to sudden weather changes and impressive height, we recommend getting a group trekking expedition tour like a Mount Fuji trekking ticket for first-timers.
3. How long to spend in Mount Fuji?
Guests should spend at least two to three days to keep ample time for climbing and exploring nearby attractions. However, the trek can be done even in a single day if you just want to climb Mount Fuji. Doing it with an expert’s Mount Fuji trekking tour is advisable for safe hiking. Most of the Mount Fuji tickets are one-day tour tickets; thus, they are approximately 11 hours long, featuring a visit to the 5th station, among other things.
4. How long does it take to go up Mount Fuji from the 5th station?
Mount Fuji 5th Station is the starting point of the hike to the summit. There are four trails, starting from the four different 5th stations. The time varies drastically depending on what route you take to reach. The shortest is the Fujinomiya Trail, which takes only 5 hours to hike to the top. Two more trails take 6 hours for an average hiker to reach the top. The Gotemba Trail is the longest, taking 7 hours.
5. How long does it take to visit Mount Fuji?
Most of the Mount Fuji tickets are full-day tours from Tokyo. These include plenty of other activities along with visiting the 5th station. However, if you want to climb Mount Fuji, you may want to take at least two days and stay overnight. Beyond this, there is plenty to explore near Mount Fuji, which can easily take two to three days. Thus, it depends on the type of experience you want from your Mount Fuji visit.
Featured Image: Travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com
