Climbing Mount Fuji with a Guide

Yes! If you have at least three days, I highly recommend the Hakuba Three Peaks Circuit in the Japanese Alps. This 3-day trek offers breathtaking alpine scenery, a chance to experience Japanese mountain culture in a traditional hut, and expert guidance to ensure a safe and rewarding adventure. Learn more: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/Hakuba-Three-Peaks-Circuit-Japanese-Alps/

This hike requires strenuous physical activity for more than 10 hours per day, including approximately 5 to 6 hours of ascent and 3 hours of descent. If you have not completed a long-distance hike with significant elevation gain in the past several months, please consider a preparatory hike with substantial ascent and descent to build endurance. The elevation gain from the 5th station to the summit of Mount Fuji is approximately 1,500 meters, equivalent to 4,921 feet. Please note that the risk of developing altitude sickness increases if you are unable to acclimatize to the rapid elevation gain. While the guide will maintain a gradual ascent, it is essential to practice techniques to minimize symptoms caused by low oxygen levels at high elevations. The guide will also teach you proper breathing techniques to assist with acclimatization. For important advice on high-altitude travel, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website by searching "Travel to High Altitudes CDC" in your browser.

This trip is specifically designed for experienced hikers who engage in recent, regular, and frequent hiking. Participants, particularly those attempting Mount Fuji during the off-season in June or after the official season ends on September 10, will undergo a thorough assessment to ensure they can complete the full distance. The hike demands up to 10 hours of strenuous physical activity, with significant elevation gain and loss.

Individuals over 65 years old and those with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease or respiratory issues, may be advised against participating due to the heightened risk of severe complications, including exhaustion, low oxygen levels, hypothermia, and dehydration. Additionally, in the event of a medical emergency at high altitude, evacuation may be significantly delayed due to the remote location and off-season conditions.

Regardless of age, the guide reserves the right to require a participant to turn back if they exhibit signs of difficulty, such as falling behind the average pace, gait imbalance, or worsening breathing issues at higher altitudes. In such cases, no reimbursement will be provided.

I will pick you up from your hotel at Shinfuji Station or a nearby hotel and take you to the trailhead, as we need to begin the ascent early.

This hike is a day trip with no overnight stay at a hut. Please ensure you have prepared your meals the day before the trip. In the morning, we will stop by a 7-Eleven on the way to the trailhead for any last-minute supplies. Between July 1 and September 10, huts along the trail will be in operation, allowing hikers to purchase drinks and snacks, reducing the need to carry a heavy backpack.

No permits are required for this trip. However, a fee of JPY 4000 will be required when entering the trail between July 10 and September 10, as per the new regulations. It is strongly recommended that you have international travel insurance to cover potential medical expenses, including hospital admission, treatment, and repatriation to your home country in case of an emergency. Travel insurance can provide significant financial protection in unforeseen situations. While no specific vaccines are required for this trip, having an updated tetanus shot within the last 5 to 10 years may be beneficial, as there is a risk of injuries involving dirt or rough terrain. In case of minor injuries, we will provide basic first aid during the trip.

We are accepting bookings from June 1 through the end of October. Since we are a team of guides, I will assign one of my fellow experienced guides to lead you or your group if my availability is fully booked.

Yes, you can join a group trip when a scheduled group trip is available. Please check the "Join the group" section in our advertisement on Explore-Share for more details.

Mount Fuji stands alone without surrounding peaks, making its weather highly unpredictable. Reaching the summit is not always possible due to strong winds, lightning, or heavy rain. This is especially true during off-season ascents when no shelters are available along the route. In such cases, the guide may decide to turn back for safety reasons. If the hike is cut significantly short, the guide may offer an alternative activity based on an on-site discussion with the client.

Only clients who understand and accept the possibility of itinerary changes or an early descent based on the guide’s judgment are eligible to participate in this trip. Cancellation due to severe weather will occur only in the event of a significant typhoon directly impacting the region or if an official weather warning is issued; otherwise, the ascent will proceed as planned. The trip will not be canceled in advance unless a typhoon or an official weather warning poses a direct threat to the area.

Yes, we provide information about a rental gear provider, along with an exclusive 10% discount code for clients who book a trip with us. To be eligible for the discount, you must make a reservation online in advance.

If you have the opportunity to visit the rental shop in Tokyo, you can try on the gear there. If visiting in person is not possible, they offer the option to ship the gear directly to your hotel. Please have your hotel details ready before booking. Our meet-up location is exclusively at Shin-Fuji Station or a nearby hotel, such as Toyoko Inn Shin-Fuji-eki Minami-guchi, which can be booked through Booking.com or similar platforms.

During the on-season, gear pickup is available at the trailhead. Returning the gear is a straightforward process, and our guides are familiar with the procedure.

Regardless of your climbing date, please ensure you have all necessary gear prepared in advance. Inadequate preparation may result in being unable to participate in the trip.

Our meet-up location for the climb is "Shin-Fuji Station" or a nearby hotel, such as "Toyoko Inn Shin-Fuji-eki Minami-guchi". If you are staying at a different hotel nearby, please inform us in advance so we can confirm if pick-up is possible.

Shin-Fuji Station is conveniently accessible by bullet train from Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. If you have already booked a hotel in the "Kawaguchiko area" or "Fujiyoshida City" (north of Mount Fuji), we kindly ask you to adjust your reservation to a hotel near "Shin-Fuji Station", which is located on the southern side of the mountain. This adjustment helps shorten travel time to the trailhead and maximizes our rest before the ascent.

The guide will provide transportation to the nearest station, including Gotemba, Mishima, or Shin-Fuji, at no additional cost after the hike concludes.

If you wish to return to Fujiyoshida City or the Kawaguchiko area, an additional fee of JPY 30,000 (including tax) will apply, payable via tap-to-pay credit card or Apple Pay.

Yes, we can arrange for a photographer, videographer, or porter in addition to the guide for your special elopement-style experience. Please let us know your specific requests, such as the type of coverage you’d like (photo, video, or both) and any special moments you want to capture.

Additional costs will apply, depending on the service provider’s availability and the logistics involved. If you're interested, we recommend making arrangements in advance to ensure availability. Let us know how we can help make your elopement experience unforgettable!

Eligibility to participate: Participants are expected to hike for up to 10 hours a day. Ages 10 to 65 without severe underlying health conditions. Please inquire with your guide or coordinator for details.