EISPIRATEN

Having seen pictures of Japan’s Mount Fuji, it was a peak I had always wanted to climb. Well I finally got the chance when I was in the country last week. Fuji at 12385’ is the highest Peak in Japan, it’s located about 60 miles from Tokyo and it took me two trains, one taxi and one bus ride to arrive at Fuji’s 5th Station Trailhead at 9.45am ready to start the trek uphill. There are about four different trails that lead to the summit, I chose the “Yoshida” trail starting out at 7360’ and climbing 5000’ in approx 4.2 miles to reach the summit. The trail which is clearly defined starts out fairly level on a wide kind of dirt road, winding through the forest, but soon starts to gain elevation as it leaves the trees and vegetation behind and ascends through barren and rocky volcanic terrain. From here on the trail has a rope cordon on each side (I guess they don’t want people wandering off ). It should be remembered that hundreds of people, even thousands in the high season climb this mountain every day, to many it is regarded as a spiritual endeavor, and they are often inexperienced hikers. Many of the hikers take two days to summit and spend the night in huts/lodges that are dotted all along the trail.
I reached the summit at 1.45 pm after chatting and exchanging greetings with endless groups of friendly people all wanting to practice their English language skills on me. The summit was covered in dense clouds as had been most of the journey up, there were no views visible not even the crater and I was standing on the edge of its rim, so with the weather getting colder and after getting a few pictures of the summit monument and Lodge I headed back down to reach the Trailhead at 4.30pm.
I think most of the hikers on this board would find Fuji to be a fairly easy hike, in many ways it is similar to Baldy via the Ski Hut, just higher elevations and a little steeper. Route finding was simple despite being in clouds/fog most of the time. All in all my impression is that Fuji is more about the bond and camaraderie that hikers share than anything else, my lasting memory of the mountain will be the friendliness and laughs I shared with people on the journey which far exceeded my expectations.
Definitely a hike worth doing.

Cheers Phil

On top of Japan


Rest of pics : http://philbrown.smugmug.com/Other/Moun ... &k=cKx459c

Neat hike and photos. Thanks for sharing the trip.

No question from all the black rocks that you were climbing a volcano. I can't believe there are 8 rest stations along the way and one nearly at the summit. Did you ever feel like you were in the wilderness? I guess you only need to pack in enough to make it to the next station.

I'd still love to hike it if I ever have the chance.

Interesting hike. Thanks for sharing! Any idea what the sandbox looking thing is on the floor in this pic?

Hi Tekewin,
Yes, I was surprised by the amount of huts grouped together like that, even though I had read before hand about them, it's not what we are used to, but still it was a lot of fun.
Hvydrt, I only poked my head in quickly to see what the lodge looked like inside, but, I'm pretty sure that's a fire place.

Phil

Great pictures Phil. I am now inspired to do a long layover in Japan on my way to China. How long does it take to get out to 5th Station from Tokyo?

Jerry

Hi Jerry,

Leaving from Shinjuku in Tokyo by train, it took about 2 hours to reach the town of Fujiyoshida including changing trains at Otsuki. From Fujiyoshida you take the bus directly to the 5th station on Mount Fuji, as I recall the bus ride was approx 40 minutes. There are other train and bus routes that may be quicker than the way I choose, if your in a hurry renting a car would be even quicker. One of the main things to bear in mind, is that if you go out of season many of the trains and buses do not run as often, also I'm told that the mountain is snow covered in the winter months so different equipment would be needed.
If you decide to go you will have a blast, the people I met on Fuji were so much fun, its just a cool place.

Good luck,

Phil