Last updated July 15, 2026
Mount Fuji Climbing Season Is Open: 2026 Trail Status & Crowds
Japan’s highest peak is open for the summer — and 2026 brings a stricter, pricier, more organised mountain. Here’s which trails are running right now, the new rules that govern every climber, and exactly how to time your ascent to dodge the crowds.
Mount Fuji is open — all four trails are now running. The Yoshida and Subashiri trails opened July 1; the Fujinomiya and Gotemba trails and the summit crater-rim walk opened July 10. Every route stays open until September 10.
Right now, in mid-July, you’re in a sweet spot: the trails are fully open but the Japanese school-holiday surge (from about July 20) hasn’t hit yet. A weekday climb this week means fewer crowds and better hut availability than almost any other time in the season — if you’ve handled the new fee, reservation, and gate rules below.
This is a live dispatch. Trail status can change with weather or typhoons; confirm the latest on the official Mt. Fuji portal before you go.
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Which trails are open
All four — but they opened on two different dates.
Fuji has four official trails, each from its own 5th Station, and in 2026 they opened in two waves. All close together on September 10.
| Trail | Side · 5th Station | 2026 open date | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoshida | Yamanashi · 2,305 m | July 1 | Most popular (~60%), most huts, easiest from Tokyo — and busiest |
| Subashiri | Shizuoka · 2,000 m | July 1 | Forested, quieter; famous “sand run” descent; merges with Yoshida up high |
| Fujinomiya | Shizuoka · 2,400 m | July 10 | Shortest but steepest; shared ascent/descent path |
| Gotemba | Shizuoka · 1,450 m | July 10 | Longest and quietest; for fit, experienced hikers |
The new 2026 rules
Fuji is now a gated, fee-paying, reservation-based mountain.
The days of just showing up and walking to the summit are over. The overtourism rules first rolled out in 2024 are now unified across all four trails, and they shape every part of your plan.
| Rule | 2026 detail |
|---|---|
| Hiking fee | ¥4,000 (~US$27) per person on all four trails — doubled from the original ¥2,000 and now uniform |
| Gate hours | Gates close 2:00 PM–3:00 AM; no entry in that window unless you hold a mountain-hut reservation |
| Yoshida cap | 4,000 climbers/day (~3,000 advance + ~1,000 same-day); book at fujisan-climb.jp |
| Shizuoka trails | Pre-register via the FUJI NAVI app + complete a short safety e-learning module for a QR code |
| Bullet climbing | Effectively banned — the 2 PM gate closure stops the overnight straight-to-summit push |
| Gear check | Rangers may inspect packs; proper boots, rain gear, and cold-weather clothing are required to pass |
Beating the crowds
When you climb matters as much as which trail you pick.
Fuji’s crowds are famous — queues form near the summit before dawn on busy days. The season has a clear rhythm, and timing your climb around it is the single biggest lever you control.
| Window | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Early–mid July weekdays | Lightest | Best crowd-to-access balance — where we are now. Weather can be less settled. |
| ~July 20 – late Aug | Peak | School holidays; busiest of the season. Book everything far ahead. |
| Mid-August (Obon) | Maximum | The single busiest week — huts and slots sell out first. Avoid if you can. |
| Early September | Lighter | Quieter again — but watch the typhoon season ramping up. |
How to plan your climb
The safe, sunrise-friendly template — and where to get the detail.
Fuji (3,776 m) is a strenuous hike, not a technical climb — no ropes or ice axe, just well-marked volcanic gravel. What catches people is altitude (about 30% feel some altitude sickness), cold (near-freezing at the summit before dawn, even in August), and the crowds up high. The standard, safest plan is a two-day climb: up to a 7th- or 8th-station hut on day one, a pre-dawn push on day two to catch goraikō — the sunrise — from the rim.
- Mount Fuji routes guide — all four trails compared, 2-day itineraries, and total costs
- Fuji weather & best season — summit wind, typhoons, and the safest timing
- Mountain weather for climbers — how to read a summit forecast for any peak
Fuji is one of 500+ peaks in our mountain database — compare it and plan your next summit.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Fuji open right now?
Yes — the 2026 season is open. Yoshida and Subashiri opened July 1; Fujinomiya, Gotemba, and the crater rim opened July 10. All close September 10. Off-season climbing above the 5th stations is prohibited and dangerous.
How much does it cost in 2026?
A mandatory ¥4,000 (~$27) fee on all four trails, plus transport (~¥3,900 round-trip shuttle) and a hut stay (~¥10,000–17,600). Budget roughly ¥20,000–40,000 total. Full costs are in our routes guide.
Do I need a reservation?
Effectively yes. Yoshida is capped at 4,000/day (book at fujisan-climb.jp); the three Shizuoka trails need FUJI NAVI pre-registration plus a safety e-learning QR code. A hut booking is separate and essential for a sunrise climb.
When are the crowds worst?
The school holidays, ~July 20 to end of August, with mid-August Obon the busiest. Weekdays in early July or early September are the quietest. Mid-July weekdays — right now — are a sweet spot.
Can I do a one-day bullet climb?
No — the 2 PM–3 AM gate closure (unless you hold a hut reservation) effectively bans it. A two-day climb with a hut stay is the recommended, safer plan.
How hard is it?
A strenuous hike, not technical — no ropes or scrambling. The challenges are altitude (~30% feel it), cold (near-freezing summit at dawn), and wind (40–60+ km/h at the rim). A steady two-day pace manages all three.
How we track this
This dispatch is compiled from the official Mt. Fuji climbing portal (fujisan-climb.jp), the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectural governments, and the FUJI NAVI registration system, cross-checked against our evergreen Fuji guides. Open dates, fees, and gate rules are stated as published for 2026 and can change with weather or policy.
This is an educational planning aid, not the official source — always confirm the current trail status, reservations, and any closures on the official portal before you travel.
Climb it in the quiet window
The season’s open and the crowds haven’t peaked. Sort your fee, reservation, and hut, pick your trail, and stand above the clouds for the sunrise of a lifetime.
Compare the 4 trails → Weather & best season →Was this helpful?
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Global Summit Guide is an independent mountaineering resource founded in 2026. The team combines first-hand trekking and climbing experience with in-depth research and professional health and nutrition review to help climbers choose objectives, prepare properly, and stay safe.
Health, altitude, and nutrition content is reviewed by Taylor Ludlow (Registered Nurse) and Brigg Hoopes (Nutritionist).
What We Don't Know Yet
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