Reaching the Mount Fuji Summit (the top of Mount Fuji) is proof of resilience, endurance and will.
Besides this, there is plenty for nature lovers who want to witness the views and natural beauty of the Mount Fuji area from the summit of Mount Fuji.
However, this accomplishment of climbing Mount Fuji summit and witnessing the gorgeous views doesn’t come easy, it requires plenty of meticulous planning.
Let’s talk about the fun bits and the unparalleled sweeping scenery you get to enjoy on your visit.
Here are the details about the Mount Fuji Summit and the views you get to enjoy after the challenging yet rewarding climb to the top.
Mount Fuji Summit Views
With an impressive height of 3,776 m (12,389 ft), Mount Fuji summit is the tallest peak, offering unobstructed 360-degree views of the surrounding area as far as your eyes can see.
Hikers can see the entire Fuji region, including major landmarks such as the Fuji Five Lakes.
The play of light, floating clouds, and wheezing cold wind will delight all your senses, not just your eyes.
The view from Mount Fuji summit is a visual masterpiece. The sunsets and sunrises add more drama and both offer a unique perspective to the nearby landscapes.
Many hikers stay overnight in one of the mountain huts between the 5th station and the summit of Mount Fuji.
Hikers prefer to start their climb when it is dark. They use headlamps to reach Mount Fuji summit to catch the sunrise.
On a clear sunny day, guests can see as far as the distant Pacific Ocean. On cloudless days, guests can see the visible Tokyo Skyline, which provides a unique perspective of the distant city.
Beyond this, a few other visible, recognizable landmarks near Mount Fuji include Chureito Pagoda, Suruva Bay, Lake Yamanaka, and Hakone Mountains.
Mount Fuji Summit Weather: Tempting Views and Cold Temperatures
The Mount Fuji Summit weather can be freezing even during the peak climbing season, which coincides with the summer months in Japan.
The temperature at Mount Fuji’s summit changes frequently, with thunderstorms being one of the most frequent weather phenomena.
The daytime temperature at the summit of Mount Fuji is 5-8° C (41-46°F) and below zero during the Mount Fuji climbing season.
The temperature drops about 0.6°C (1.1°F) for every 100 meters of altitude.
This becomes even more harsh during the winter season when the temperatures at the summit of Mount Fuji drop to as low as -20°C in January.
Having said that, visiting the 5th Station, which is the starting point of various Mount Fuji trails, is allowed.
Visiting Mount Fuji presents guests with the ideal opportunity to explore the Fuji area filled with numerous attractions that will leave you speechless.
You can see ponds formed from the melting of the snow of Mount Fuji, numerous shrines and a Museum that frames the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji. Get a combo ticket to see this.
To get the most out of your tour and understand the history and significance of the various attractions, get a guided tour.
Check out the list of the top five recommended Mount Fuji tours you must add to your itinerary and uncover the hidden gems of the Mount Fuji region.
| Mount Fuji Tickets | Features | Tickets Price |
|---|---|---|
| #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 ticket |
| #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 ticket |
| #Mount Fuji Full-Day Sightseeing Trip from Tokyo | Mount Fuji Entry Tickets. Round-trip transportation. A bilingual guide, English and Chinese. | ¥11,630 (US $82)/Adult ticket |
| #Scenic Spots of Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi 1 day Bus Tour | A ten-hour long day trip to the Fuji area in an air-conditioned vehicle. Visit Chureito Pagoda to catch the iconic view of Mount Fuji in the background. A visit to Lake Kawaguchiko and Oishi Park. A visit to Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nemba on the banks of Lake Saiko. | ¥12,300 (US $89)/Adult ticket |
| #Hakone Fuji Day Tour with Cruise, Cable Car, Volcano | A comfortable transportation in an air-conditioned bus. An expert bilingual guide in English and Chinese. Tickets for the sightseeing cruise in Lake Ashi. Tickets for the Hakone ropeway up to Mount Hakone. Visit Owakudani Valley. | ¥14,174 (US $98)/Adult ticket |
What is at the Summit of Mount Fuji
Given Mount Fuji is a Stratovolcano, visitors will find a huge crater that’s more than 200 meters (656 ft) deep and 600 meters (1969 ft) in diameter. Learn more interesting Mount Fuji Facts.
There is a dedicated trail called the Ohachi-Meguri Trail or the Summit Crater Loop. It allows hikers to go around the crater.
An experienced hiker can go around this loop in approximately 90 minutes. It is a great way to get a 360-degree view across Japan.
Besides this, eight jagged peaks surround the large crater, including the Ken-ga-mine, Japan’s highest point. There are well-marked paths or trails to reach all of the peaks at the top.
The eight jagged peaks that ring the large crater are Oshidake, Izudake, Jojudake, Komagatake, Mushimatake, Kengamine, Hukusandake, and Kusushidake.
The former Mount Fuji weather station is located at Kengamine. Given Mount Fuji is a sacred symbol of Japan, the crater was once Japan’s largest Saisen Box.
Saisen Box is typically a wooden box, but it was the larger crater in this case. Money is offered to gods or Bodhisattvas.
The Mount Fuji Summit altitude is an impressive 3,776 m (12,389 ft), which is why Mount Fuji is also called the “Roof of Japan.”
The true summit is on the western side, a 45-minute walk from the Yoshida Trail. Learn about the four departure points to the Mount Fuji Summit.
Reaching the Summit of Mount Fuji: Hiking Essentials and Etiquettes
One thing to remember is that visitors can also reach the summit of Mount Fuji during the climbing season from early July to early September.
Besides the Mount Fuji climbing season months, hiking to the Mount Fuji summit is prohibited due to extremely harsh weather conditions.
However, visitors can go to Mount Fuji 5th stations throughout the year. The access to the roads is sometimes closed due to heavy snowfall.
Summiting Mount Fuji requires meticulous planning to make it successful and safe. Visitors are urged to read Mount Fuji climbing guidelines.
Besides this, visitors must know about the Mount Fuji Help & Rescue information in case of an emergency.
For a safe and memorable climb, we suggest visitors, especially novice and less-experienced hikers, get the Mount Fuji trekking tour.
Climb Mount Fuji in a day with a group of hikers led by an experienced guide to help you get through the trickier portion.
It will be a memorable, enjoyable, and safe Mount Fuji climbing experience where you will learn the basics of hiking just by observing people around you.
Keep your energy up with included water bottles and high-calorie snacks provided to you on the hike. You just have to show up and enjoy the exquisite scenery.
With convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, your Mount Fuji tour is also hassle-free.
Price – ¥1,75,000 (US $1208)/ per group of up to 9 guests
Note: Beyond the mesmerizing peak of Mount Fuji, there is plenty to do in Tokyo. Make the most of your visit and learn Things to do in Tokyo to explore more.
Buy one of the Japanese Passes to help you explore the city, allowing you easy access to multiple attractions, easy commuting, and much more.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to summit Mount Fuji?
The time duration to summit Mount Fuji depends on the trail you have taken, your own endurance, and your itinerary. Hikers have the option to choose from four Mount Fuji trails. The Fujinomiya Trail is the fastest, taking five hours from the Fujinomiya Trail 5th Station. The Gotemba Trail starts from the Gotemba Trail New 5th Station at an altitude of 1450 m (4757 ft). It is the slowest, taking 7 hours. Whereas the Yoshida trail starting from the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station is the most popular and takes 6 hours for to ascend. Read how long it takes for more detailed information and planning your Mount Fuji Summit hike.
2. Who is the first person to reach Mount Fuji to the summit?
The first known ascent to the Mount Fuji Summit was by a Buddhist monk named En no Gyoja in 663 AD. The first recorded Western person to climb Mount Fuji was in 1860 by Sir Rutherford Alcock. He took eight hours for the ascent and three for the descent. Learn more such Mount Fuji Facts. Now, everyone can climb the Mount Fuji. It is beginner-friendly, but doing it under an experienced guide is recommended. Get a Mount Fuji Trekking Tour.
3. Can you summit Mount Fuji?
Yes! Mount Fuji is one of the most beginner-friendly hikes. On average, more than 200,000 hikers climb the Mount Fuji summit. Having said that, one shouldn’t underestimate the climb due to tricky and steep slopes, sudden elevation gain, weather changes, and extreme cold at the top. Visitors who wish to hike to the Mount Fuji Summit should get a guided trekking tour that allows them to hike in a group led by an experienced climber. It’ll help them navigate the tricky parts and make it a safe climb.
4. How many miles to summit Mount Fuji?
The hiking distance to the summit of Mount Fuji is different from all the four 5th stations using their respective trails. The shortest of all is from the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station to the Summit, which is 3.7 miles (6 km), and the longest is from the Gotemba Trail New 5th station, which is 12 miles long (20 km). The second most popular is the Fujinomiya Trail, which is 4.7 miles to the summit of Mount Fuji. The Subashiri Trail is approximately 10 miles (16 km). Read Mount Fuji departure point to know more details.
5. What is at the Mount Fuji Summit?
At the top, Mount Fuji Summit, hikers will find a large crater that is more than 200 (656 ft) meters deep and 600 meters (1969 ft) wide. There is a round crater loop or a trail called the Ohachi-Meguri Trail. It takes an experienced hiker approximately 90 minutes to get around the summit using this trail. Apart from this, visitors can climb eight jagged peaks around the crater, including the Ken-ga-mine, Japan’s highest point.
6. How is the view from Mount Fuji Summit?
The Mount Fuji Summit elevation is 3,776 (12,389 ft). From this height, guests can see far in every direction. The and the are visible from the Summit, offering magnificent views to take your breath away. You can see gorgeous views of the Fuji area in every direction, with sunrise being one of the most beautiful things to witness!
Featured Image: Accuweather.com
