Mt Fuji Hours: Climbing Season Dates, Facility Schedules & Opening Times

Mt Fuji Climbing Season: When Trails Open and Close

Mt Fuji's climbing trails are only open for roughly ten weeks each year, and the exact dates vary by route. If you are planning to climb, knowing these windows is essential — trails outside the official season are closed and enforcement is strict. For a complete overview of planning your visit, see our complete Mt Fuji travel guide, and for trail-by-trail logistics, check the complete climbing guide.

All schedule information below is based on the 2025 season from the official Mt Fuji climbing site. The 2026 dates are typically announced each spring and follow a similar pattern. For seasonal recommendations beyond schedules, see our best time to visit Mt Fuji guide.

Yoshida Trail (Yamanashi Side)

The Yoshida Trail (吉田ルート), the most popular route, opened on July 1 and closed on September 11 in 2025. This is the trail most visitors use, starting from the Yoshida 5th Station on the Yamanashi side. Since 2025, all climbers must register online in advance and pay a climbing regulation fee of ¥4,000 (~$27) for adults or ¥2,000 (~$14) for middle school students and younger. A daily quota of 4,000 climbers applies to prevent overcrowding and "bullet climbing" (climbing through the night without rest).

Fujinomiya, Subashiri, and Gotemba Trails (Shizuoka Side)

The three Shizuoka-side trails typically open around July 10 and close on September 10. The Fujinomiya Trail (富士宮ルート) is the shortest and steepest route; Subashiri (須走ルート) passes through a forest section before the alpine zone; and Gotemba (御殿場ルート) is the longest route with a famous sandy descent. Note that the Subashiri 5th Station parking lot was not in operation in 2025, with climbers using shuttle buses instead.

Trail	2025 Open	2025 Close	Side
Yoshida	July 1	September 11	Yamanashi
Fujinomiya	July 10	September 10	Shizuoka
Subashiri	July 10	September 10	Shizuoka
Gotemba	July 10	September 10	Shizuoka

5th Station Hours and Facilities by Route

The 5th stations (五合目, gogoume) are the starting points for each climbing route. Facilities, hours, and access differ significantly between them.

Yoshida 5th Station: Shops, Restaurants, and Restrooms

Yoshida 5th Station (吉田口五合目) is the busiest and best-equipped. During climbing season, the station area is accessible 24 hours for registered climbers. Multiple shops, restaurants, and restrooms operate during peak months of July and August. Outside the climbing season, the station has limited year-round access — restrooms and vending machines remain available, but shops and restaurants close.

To reach Yoshida 5th Station, take the Fujikyu Bus from Kawaguchiko Station (河口湖駅), approximately 50 minutes. Private vehicles are prohibited during climbing season; you must use the reservation-based shuttle bus.

Fujinomiya 5th Station

Fujinomiya 5th Station (富士宮口五合目) offers basic facilities during the climbing season. A small restaurant and shop operate during peak weeks. The station closes entirely outside the climbing season, and the Fujinomiya Skyline road is subject to winter closure from approximately November through late April.

Subashiri and Gotemba 5th Stations

These two stations have the most limited facilities. Basic restrooms and small shops operate only during the July-September climbing season. Both close completely in the off-season. The Subashiri 5th Station parking lot was not operational in 2025, so check the official site for current access arrangements.

Fuji Subaru Line Gate Hours and Road Access

The Fuji Subaru Line (富士スバルライン) is the main toll road from Kawaguchiko to the Yoshida 5th Station. It opens for the year around mid-April (April 10 in 2025) and closes for winter from approximately November through May.

During the climbing season, general vehicle access is restricted between 8:00 and 17:00 — only shuttle buses, taxis, and licensed tour buses may pass. Outside the climbing season but while the road is open (roughly mid-April to June, and mid-September to October), private vehicles can drive up to the 5th Station. Winter closure dates depend on weather and snowfall.

For full details on driving routes, toll costs, and alternative road access, see our driving routes and Subaru Line guide.

Ropeway, Museum, and Attraction Schedules

Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway (Kawaguchiko)

The Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway (富士パノラマロープウェイ), also known as the Kachi Kachi Yama Ropeway, operates year-round with seasonal hour variations. Standard hours are 8:30 to 17:00, extending to 18:00 in August and shortening during winter months. A round-trip ticket costs ¥2,000 (~$14) for adults. No reservation is needed. The ropeway may suspend operations during strong winds or storms.

For the complete ropeway experience guide, see our Panoramic Ropeway guide.

Fujisan World Heritage Center

The Fujisan World Heritage Center (富士山世界遺産センター) in Fujinomiya operates year-round with seasonal hours. Typical opening is 9:00 to 17:00, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Hours may extend during summer. Check the official site for current schedules, as specific 2026 hours were not confirmed at the time of writing.

Oshino Hakkai and Other Attractions

Oshino Hakkai (忍野八海), the scenic group of eight spring-fed ponds, is accessible year-round as an outdoor site. The surrounding shops and food stalls generally operate from 9:00 to 17:00 daily. No admission is required for the ponds themselves, though some individual attractions within the area may charge small fees.

Mountain Hut Hours and Booking Windows

Mt Fuji's mountain huts (山小屋, yamagoya) operate only during the climbing season. Most huts on the Yoshida Trail open in early July and close in early to mid-September. Huts on the Shizuoka-side trails follow their respective trail season dates.

Booking is essential — especially for weekend stays and for climbers planning a goraiko (御来光, summit sunrise) climb, which is the most popular option. Reservations open several months before the season, typically in March or April. Most huts accept bookings through their own websites (often Japanese-only), though some now offer English-language reservation pages.

Expect to pay ¥8,000 to ¥12,000 (~$54–$81) per night for a basic bunk with dinner and breakfast included. Huts typically accept arriving guests from mid-afternoon (around 14:00–15:00) and serve dinner at a set time. Quiet hours begin early as most climbers depart between midnight and 2:00 AM for sunrise.

Off-Season Access: What Is Open October to June

Outside the climbing season, Mt Fuji's trails are officially closed. Climbing is prohibited due to avalanche risk, extreme weather, and the absence of rescue services. Enforcement has increased since the new regulations were introduced in 2025.

However, the area around Mt Fuji remains active year-round. The Fuji Five Lakes region (富士五湖, Fujigoko) — including Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako, Saiko, Shojiko, and Motosuko — offers onsen, museums, and viewpoints through all seasons. The Panoramic Ropeway operates year-round. Oshino Hakkai is accessible regardless of season.

The Fuji Subaru Line opens for sightseeing drives from approximately mid-April to October, weather permitting. The Yoshida 5th Station's basic facilities (restrooms, vending machines) are available even when climbing trails are closed.

For day trip planning from Tokyo, the Five Lakes area is a viable destination in any month. Schedules listed in this article reflect 2025 data; verify current hours on official sites before your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions