Is Mt. Fuji for beginners?
Is Mount Fuji a beginner friendly hike? Yes. But let me explain. You can actually summit Mount Fuji in just one day around 8 hours up and 5 hours down. But hikers are advised not to start earlier than 2:00 p.m. Actually, it’s going to be closed by that time. Another option is to split it in two days. Hike about 5 hours to the hats near the eight station. Sleep overnight, then do the last 3 hours to the summit before sunrise. There are four trails. The most beginner friendly is the Yoshida trail. Mostly gravel paths. straightforward but still challenging. Most people are doing this trail, so expect it to be crowded. If this is your first mountain, you can totally do it. But take note, Fuji, it’s high altitude at 3,776 m, meaning less oxygen and long walking hours. Pre-training helps a lot. Jogging, stair climbs, or long distance walk. These are some of the things you should know before climbing. Bring proper layered winter clothes. It’s freezing near the summit, even in summer. Toilets are available at every station, but expect to pay around 300 yen. Huts need to be booked in advance and they’re not cheap. Carry cash, snacks, headlamp, and plenty of water. They also have restaurants and they have vending machine up in the summit. The more you go up, the more expensive it is. Weather changes super fast and always check the forecast. So, is Mount Fuji for beginners? Yes, but only if you prepare well. Think of it less as a walk in the park and more as your first big mountain adventure.
AloJapan.com