A video capturing a tourist’s surprise at the sheer number of hikers climbing Mount Fuji in Japan before dawn has gone viral on social media, highlighting the intense congestion that often greets visitors during peak climbing season.
The TikTok clip, posted by user @_theraa, has accumulated over 1.1 million views since it was shared in late July. Text overlaid on the video reads: “When you thought you’re special climbing Mount Fuji at 2am.”
The footage shows a sea of hikers, each equipped with headlamps and rucksacks, slowly ascending the dark mountainside. The caption adds: “One hour hike from hut to top turned into two hours with all the traffic.”
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The crowds shown in the footage reflect the reality of climbing Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the tallest mountain in Japan. The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) says the mountain draws more than 200,000 hikers every year, many of them novices.
Mount Fuji’s official climbing season runs from early July to early September, with the busiest period from late July to late August. The JNTO notes that trails are especially congested during the Obon holidays, typically in mid-August. They may also close due to rain or wind, making careful planning essential for anyone attempting the ascent.
Heavy foot traffic near the summit is common in the early-morning hours because many hikers attempt to time their climb for the sunrise. Mount Fuji’s official website says: “Around dawn, trails near the summit can be crowded because many people time their ascent to see ‘Goraiko’ (sunrise). Therefore, you need to make a flexible schedule if you want to see it too. Required time on the map is no more than a guide, and the actual time depends on your experience, weather, and how crowded it is. In case of beginners, since usually it takes more time than in the map, it is necessary to have a flexible schedule.”
The JNTO explains that many hikers choose a two-day hike, staying in a mountain hut halfway up before making their summit push in the early hours so they can catch the sunrise. But, with so many climbers sharing the same plan, even short stretches can take far longer than expected—just as TikTok user @_theraa experienced.
The JNTO cautions climbers to be careful when hiking in darkness, noting: “Exercise caution when hiking in the dark as accidents do happen. Novices may wish to hike later in the day when it is safer, warmer and there are fewer crowds.”
Mount Fuji’s official website also warns about seasonal conditions. The mountain is usually snow-free between late June and October, but temperatures at the summit can still drop far below zero in the shoulder seasons. Only experienced hikers should attempt climbs in late June or September, and proper mountaineering equipment is required if snow is present. From October to mid-June, the site says, climbing to the summit is “highly perilous” due to extreme weather, snow, ice, and avalanche risk.
Officials urge visitors to avoid peak times when possible. The Mount Fuji website says: “It is usually crowded from late July to late August, especially on weekends, holidays, and the Obon period. In order to enjoy a leisurely climb, we ask for your cooperation in spreading out the use of the mountain by avoiding weekends and planning your itinerary.”
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
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AloJapan.com