Fuji-san Height & Weather: Elevation Facts, Forecasts & Current Conditions

How Tall Is Mount Fuji? Exact Height in Meters and Feet

Mount Fuji (富士山, Fujisan) stands at exactly 3,776.24 meters (12,389 feet) above sea level, making it Japan's tallest peak by a wide margin. This is part of our complete Mt Fuji guide covering everything from elevation data to trip planning.

The Official Number: 3,776.24 Meters (12,389 Feet)

The figure 3,776.24 m comes from a 2014 precision survey by Japan's Geospatial Information Authority (国土地理院, GSI), which used GPS-based measurements to confirm and refine the mountain's elevation. Before this survey, the commonly cited height was 3,776 m — the additional 0.24 m precision reflects modern surveying technology. The highest point is the Kengamine peak on the southwestern rim of the summit crater. For context on how Fuji compares to Japan's highest peak and other mountains, the runner-up — Kita-dake in the Southern Alps — sits at 3,193 m, over 580 m lower.

Elevation at Key Points: Base to Summit

The Fuji mount height gain from base to peak is substantial. Here are the key elevation markers climbers and visitors encounter:

Location	Elevation	Notes
Kawaguchiko town	830 m (2,723 ft)	Lakeside base area
Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida)	2,305 m (7,562 ft)	Most popular trailhead
Fujinomiya 5th Station	2,380 m (7,808 ft)	Shizuoka-side trailhead
8th Station (average)	3,100 m (10,170 ft)	Mountain hut zone
Summit (Kengamine)	3,776 m (12,389 ft)	Highest point in Japan

The elevation difference between the 5th station and summit — roughly 1,400 m (4,600 ft) — is what most climbers actually ascend. This vertical gain takes 5-8 hours going up, depending on the trail.

How Fuji's Height Was Measured: From Triangulation to GPS

Fuji-san's height has been measured and refined over centuries. Early Edo-period estimates placed it around 3,700 m using basic trigonometric methods. The Meiji government conducted the first modern triangulation survey in the 1880s, arriving at approximately 3,776 m.

The precision jumped significantly with the 2014 GSI survey, which combined GPS satellite positioning with traditional leveling networks. This confirmed the summit at 3,776.24 m with centimeter-level accuracy. For more on the geology and volcanic status of Mt Fuji, the mountain's height is essentially stable — Fuji last erupted in 1707 and shows no signs of elevation change from volcanic activity.

Weather by Elevation: What to Expect at Each Station

Fuji weather varies dramatically with altitude. The standard atmospheric lapse rate — approximately 0.6°C drop per 100 m of elevation gain — means conditions at the summit bear little resemblance to those at the base. If you're planning a climb, check our climbing Mt Fuji guide for trail-specific logistics.

Base Area and Kawaguchiko (800-1,000 m)

At the Fuji Five Lakes area around 830 m elevation, weather tracks closely with the broader Kanto region. Summer highs reach 27-30°C (81-86°F), while winter lows drop to -5°C (23°F). Rain is heaviest in June (tsuyu rainy season) and during September typhoons. Visibility of the summit from the lakes is best in autumn and winter mornings — summer haze often obscures the peak by midday.

5th Station Level (2,300-2,400 m)

At the 5th station, temperatures run roughly 9-10°C cooler than the base. A pleasant 25°C afternoon in Kawaguchiko translates to about 15-16°C at the 5th station. Many visitors arrive in t-shirts and are caught off guard. Cloud cover is common at this elevation — the 5th station often sits right in the cloud layer, especially in the afternoon. Wind speeds pick up noticeably compared to the base.

Summit Zone (3,700-3,776 m)

The summit is a different world. Average temperatures in August — the warmest month — hover around 6°C (43°F), but sustained winds of 40-60 km/h are common and can push wind chill to -5°C or lower. In winter, summit temperatures plunge to -30°C (-22°F) with hurricane-force winds. According to JMA historical records, the summit weather station recorded wind gusts exceeding 90 m/s (200 mph) during extreme winter storms before the station was decommissioned. For essential climbing gear for Mt Fuji and what to expect at the summit, dedicated guides cover packing and summit conditions in detail.

Elevation Zone	Summer Avg Temp	Winter Avg Temp	Typical Wind
Base (830 m)	25-30°C	-2 to 5°C	Light
5th Station (2,300 m)	14-18°C	-10 to -5°C	Moderate
Summit (3,776 m)	4-8°C	-25 to -15°C	Strong to extreme

Mt Fuji Weather by Season: Year-Round Conditions

Summer Climbing Season (July-September)

The official climbing season runs from early July through early September. Daytime summit temperatures range from 4-8°C, but clear mornings can give way to afternoon thunderstorms with startling speed. Lightning is a serious hazard above the 8th station from mid-July through August. Most experienced climbers start their ascent in the afternoon, overnight at a mountain hut, and summit before dawn to catch sunrise — this also avoids the worst afternoon weather. For seasonal planning, see our guide on the best time to visit Mt Fuji.

Autumn and Visibility Season (October-November)

After the climbing season closes in September, Fuji enters its most photogenic period. Cool, dry air brings exceptional visibility — this is when you get those crisp, snow-capped views from Tokyo, Hakone, and the Five Lakes. Summit temperatures drop to -5 to 5°C. The mountain is officially closed to climbing, though trail gates are not physically locked. Early snowfall can arrive as soon as late October.

Winter: Extreme Cold and Closure (December-March)

Winter Fuji is one of the most dangerous mountains in Japan. Summit temperatures regularly hit -25 to -30°C with wind chill far below that. The ice-covered slopes are extremely treacherous — even experienced mountaineers have been killed by falls on the hard-packed ice. All access roads close. Only highly skilled alpine climbers with proper gear attempt winter ascents, and even they face serious risk.

Spring Thaw and Pre-Season (April-June)

Snow persists well into June on the upper slopes. The Subaru Line road to the 5th station typically reopens in late April (weather permitting), but climbing trails remain officially closed until July. May and June bring increasing rainfall as the tsuyu season approaches, and cloud cover becomes more persistent. This period is good for viewing Fuji from a distance on clear days, less so for mountain activities.

How to Check Mt Fuji Weather Before You Go

JMA Official Forecasts and AMeDAS Data

The Japan Meteorological Agency (日本気象庁, JMA) operates automated weather equipment at the former summit weather station, which was staffed until its closure on October 1, 2004. The current automated system records temperature, humidity, air pressure, and wind data. You can access this through JMA's AMeDAS observation network, which provides near-real-time readings. For English-language forecasts, third-party mountain weather services like Windy and Mountain Forecast aggregate JMA data into more accessible formats.

Webcams and Real-Time Visibility

Both Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures operate live webcams pointed at Mt Fuji from multiple angles. According to the Yamanashi tourism office, these are the most reliable way to check current visibility before heading to a viewpoint. The Fujigoko (Five Lakes) webcams show base-level conditions, while 5th station cameras reveal conditions at the trailhead.

Why Fuji Weather Is So Unpredictable

Fujisan weather is notoriously unstable because of the mountain's isolation and height. As Japan's tallest peak, Fuji stands alone — no neighboring mountains buffer the wind or slow approaching weather systems. Moist air from the Pacific hits the slopes, rises rapidly, and can form dense clouds or thunderstorms in under 30 minutes.

Whiteout conditions (白出, sudden zero-visibility snowstorms) can strike even during the summer climbing season above 3,000 m (9,800 ft). Many visitors on travel forums report starting their climb in sunshine and encountering near-zero visibility within an hour. The key takeaway: never rely solely on the weather forecast at Kawaguchiko or Tokyo when planning summit activities. Mountain conditions can differ completely from base conditions just 15 km away.

One practical rule for estimating conditions: use the lapse rate of 0.6°C per 100 m. If Tokyo is 30°C, the 5th station will be roughly 21°C, and the summit approximately 12°C — before factoring in wind chill, which typically subtracts another 5-10°C of perceived temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions