By Declan BarryMt. Fuji's 2026 climbing season opened on 1 July with two trails accessible and a new kiosk system in place to help manage the flow of visitors attempting the ascent.
What Has Changed for the 2026 Season
As of yesterday, the Yoshida Trail (on the Yamanashi side) and the Fujinomiya Trail (on the Shizuoka side) are open to climbers. The Gotemba and Subashiri trails had not yet opened as of the 1 July start date - check the official Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectural websites for updated opening dates before you travel.
The most notable operational change this season is the installation of new fee kiosks at the trailheads. The kiosks are designed to speed up payment processing and reduce the bottleneck that has built up at manual collection points in recent seasons, where queues at the Yoshida Trail gate in particular have added significant waiting time before climbers even begin the ascent. The conservation fee of ¥2,000 per person, introduced in 2024 on the Yoshida Trail and later extended, applies at the trailheads where the kiosks are now installed. Have your payment method ready before you reach the gate.
What This Means If You Are Planning to Climb
The climbing season on Mt. Fuji runs through early September, with the peak window falling in mid-July through mid-August. If you are visiting Japan between now and early September and plan to climb, here is what to factor in.
Trail access: With only two trails confirmed open from 1 July, climbers without a strong preference for a specific route should choose between the Yoshida Trail - the busiest but best-served in terms of mountain huts and emergency facilities - and the Fujinomiya Trail, which is the shortest route to the summit but steeper and with fewer rest stops. The Yoshida Trail starts from Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, reached by direct bus from Fujisan Station (Fuji Kyuko Line) or by highway bus from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo (roughly 2 hours 15 minutes, around ¥2,700-¥3,000 one way depending on the operator and booking timing).
Overnight vs. day climbing: A same-day ascent and descent from 5th Station is physically possible but gives you a long, tiring day and no view of sunrise from the summit. Most experienced climbers take the first afternoon bus up, rest at a mountain hut around the 7th or 8th station (budget ¥7,000-¥12,000 per person for a shared sleeping space and dinner and breakfast), and summit before dawn. Book mountain huts well in advance - July weekends fill up quickly.
The gate closure rule: The Yoshida Trail gate at the 5th Station closes at 16:00 daily to reduce the number of people attempting a dangerous overnight climb without proper preparation. Arriving late in the afternoon means you may not be permitted to start. Aim to reach 5th Station by 13:00-14:00 at the latest if you intend to climb that day.
Crowds: July and August weekends are the busiest period, particularly on the Yoshida Trail. If your schedule allows, climbing on a weekday reduces both trail congestion and competition for mountain hut spaces. Early July - right now - is generally quieter than the school holiday period that begins in late July.
Weather and preparation: Temperatures at the summit (3,776 m) regularly drop below 5°C even in summer, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August. Waterproofs, a warm mid-layer, trekking poles, and a headtorch are practical essentials, not optional extras.
Getting to Mt. Fuji From Tokyo
For the Yoshida Trail: take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station, then the Fuji Kyuko Line to Fujisan Station (total journey roughly 2 hours from Shinjuku, around ¥2,500), then a bus to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (50 minutes, around ¥1,570 one way). Alternatively, Keio Bus and other operators run direct highway buses from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal - straightforward and often cheaper than the train and bus combination.
For the Fujinomiya Trail: take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Fuji Station (25 minutes on the Hikari, around ¥3,220), then a bus to Fujinomiya 5th Station (check Fujikyu static timetables as services vary by date).