Mount Fuji: Permits, Fees & Logistics
Mount Fuji: Permits, Fees & Logistics
Everything you need to plan a Fuji climb: current fees by trail, Yoshida gate rules, how to reach each 5th Station, hut booking, and a pre-trip checklist.
Mount Fuji At a Glance: Permits, Fees & Logistics
1Current Fees by Trail
| Fee | Trail | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation Fee | Yoshida | ¥2,000 / person | Mandatory since 2024; collected at gate; no payment = no entry |
| Conservation Fee | Fujinomiya / Gotemba / Subashiri | ¥1,000 (voluntary / varies) | Shizuoka Prefecture trails — check current season rules |
| Mountain Hut Stay | All trails | ¥6,000 – ¥9,000+ / night | Includes futon + one or two meals; early booking essential |
| Guided Tour Permit | Via licensed company | ~¥4,000 / person | Secured by guide company; usually included in tour pricing |
| Bus (roundtrip) | Yoshida ↔ Shinjuku | ~¥5,600 – ¥6,000 | Direct highway bus; advance booking required for peak weeks |
Verify before you travel. Fees changed in 2024 and may be adjusted again. Always confirm current rates at fujisan-climb.jp (Yamanashi) and the Shizuoka Prefecture Fuji climbing portal before booking.
2Yoshida Trail Gate Rules (2024 Onwards)
- Location: Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, 2,305 m
- Closed hours: 4:00 PM – 3:00 AM — no entry or exit during this window
- Daily cap: 4,000 climbers from the 5th Station per day; gate closes when cap is reached
- Conservation fee: ¥2,000 per climber at gate; confirm accepted payment methods before arriving
- Bullet climbing: Non-stop ascent from 5th Station without rest is strongly discouraged — gate restrictions partially address this
The Fujinomiya, Gotemba, and Subashiri trails (Shizuoka Prefecture) are managed separately and currently do not operate the same gate or daily cap system. Check the Shizuoka prefectural portal for current rules on these trails.
3Getting to the 5th Stations
Yoshida Trail — Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station
- From Shinjuku (Tokyo): Direct highway bus, ~2.5 hrs; multiple daily departures in season. Book in advance for July–August weekends.
- By train + bus: JR Chuo Line to Otsuki → Fujikyuko Line to Fujikawaguchiko → Fujikyuko bus to 5th Station
- By car: Fuji Subaru Line toll road; private cars restricted mid-July to mid-August — park-and-ride from Fujisan or Fujikawaguchiko Station
Fujinomiya Trail
- Bus from Shin-Fuji Station or Mishima Station (both on Tokaido Shinkansen line); seasonal service only
Gotemba & Subashiri Trails
- Bus from Gotemba Station (JR Gotemba Line); check timetables — service is limited outside peak weeks
4Mountain Hut Booking
Mountain huts (yamagoya) provide shelter, futon bedding, communal meals, and emergency oxygen at altitude. Key points:
- Book early: Peak-season huts (July–August weekends) fill weeks to months in advance
- Yoshida Trail huts: 20+ huts between 5th and 8th Stations — the most options of any trail
- Meals: Hot Japanese food included with most stays (curry rice, noodles, miso soup); very limited vegetarian options — communicate ahead
- Sleeping: Communal futon sleeping in shared rows — bring earplugs and an eye mask
- Cost: ¥6,000–¥9,000+ per person per night including futon and one meal
Sunrise strategy: Arrive at a 7th or 8th Station hut in the afternoon, rest until midnight, then begin the summit push for first light (Goraiko). This is the optimal approach for acclimatization, energy management, and the best summit experience on Fuji.
5Official Season Dates
| Trail | Typical Opening | Typical Closing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoshida | Early July | Mid-September | Most huts close early September |
| Fujinomiya | Early July | Early September | Staggered hut closing dates |
| Gotemba | Early July | Early September | Fewest huts; confirm closures before visit |
| Subashiri | Early July | Early September | Merges with Yoshida above 8th Station |
Off-season climbing is strongly discouraged. Outside official dates, trails are unmaintained, huts are closed, weather is severe, and rescue services are significantly reduced. Off-season climbing has resulted in fatalities on Fuji.
6Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
- ☐ Confirm current trail opening dates and gate hours at fujisan-climb.jp
- ☐ Book mountain hut — especially for July–August weekends
- ☐ Reserve bus tickets from Tokyo in advance for peak weeks
- ☐ Budget for conservation fee; confirm gate payment method
- ☐ Arrange travel insurance covering mountain rescue and medical evacuation in Japan
- ☐ Monitor typhoon forecasts during late July–September — systems can close all trails with 24–48 hrs notice
- ☐ Download trail maps and save emergency contacts for your specific trail