Route Climbed: Kawaguchiko Date Climbed: Mid-July, 2001
The most culturally iconic climb I will ever do. After taking an early evening bus from Shinjuku in Tokyo, we left Kawaguchiko 5th station at about 9:45 p.m. Arrived at the summit around 4:15 a.m. in time for an unforgettable sunrise. Call me a fool, but I'll do Fuji-san again.
Route Climbed: Kawaguchiko and Gotemba Date Climbed: September 2004
My eighth and possibly last ascent of Fuji-san. Three in the summer of 2004, and once each in Nov. '03, April '02, May '01, Sept. '96 and Aug. '96. I've been hiking in the area many times but was never able to climb from Sengen Shrine. Someday I would love to complete the beautiful old approach route through the forest from Fujiyoshida.
Route Climbed: Normal Ascend Date Climbed: Aug 1990
Climbed Fuji during the Obon vacation, hence the mountain was unbelievably crowded. Set out at 10 pm from the bus stop, and managed to overtake most of the crowds on the way up. The last hour I was practically on my own until the top, which I reached at 2am in the morning. After 2 hours sleep in the (expensive) refuge on the top I woke up to a spectacular, memorable sunrise.
Route Climbed: Kawaguchi-ko Date Climbed: September 11th, 2004
Went to Japan for a short work trip, so no much time to spare. I took the 08:45 bus from Shinjuku station, arrived at 11:15 at the 5th station and made it to the summit in just under 3 hours. Sliding down took roughly one hour, to make just in time for the last bus to Tokyo. Weather was quite good, with a sea of clouds around 2500 meters. Most of the huts were closing for the season, and some were selling out the drinks for 200 yen, instead of the regular 500.
Route Climbed: from Kawaguchi-ko Date Climbed: August 7, 1999
A mid-August storm hit, preventing the promised sunrise views. The all-night ascent just wasn't worth it, as I never got to see the mountain nor the surrounding vistas--between the stormy darkness and the morning fog!
Route Climbed: Ascend from tourist station, Descend along tractor track (due to very bad weather) Date Climbed: July 2002
Climbed in fine weather, slept in cabin near summit, next day very bad weather with heavy rain and no visibility. Next day again mountain could be viewed from Tokyo!
I climbed this as a boy with my parents. The last two thousand feet was all snow. We circumnavigated the crater, briefly getting lost in the mist, and doing a loop interior loop.
Route Climbed: normal route via subaru line road. Date Climbed: Oct 2 2003
It may have been clear. but it was frezzing! with the wind blowing you off the your feet, almost made me turn around. but I'm glad I didn't, what a view from the top. and the best part about climbing this mountian in the off season, was that we had it almost to ourselves.
Hey, John you got the date wrong, remember I left Japan on 14 May? Too foggy and tons of snow, nevermind we didn't have the time to go for the summit but we stood on the darn thing anyway!
Pulled into Japan for a short port visit and only had a few hours to spend on the mountain. It was the wrong time of the year, but did get so good photos. Maybe next deployment!
Met my friend Jim Lundgren and his daughter Ashley from Moscow, Idaho to hike up Fuji. We arrived at the mountain about 7pm on Saturday, August 25th after four hours in trains/bus from Tokyo. After climbing for awhile at a healthy pace we realized we needed to slow way down, taking long stops at the various stations, to arrive at the top for sunrise (We didn't want to be exposed at the top for several hours waiting). Met people from USA, Europe, Australia and Asia. I was surprised at the number of people who smoked during rest stops! Trail was somewhat steeper than I expected. We got to the top just after sunrise at 6am. Visibility was pretty poor - it is more days than not I'm told. Descending trail was in great shape and we got down pretty fast. "
Route Climbed: Ancient Road & standard ascending route Date Climbed: 25-26 August 2002
The Ancient Road begins at Fujiyoshida and adds about 5000 feet to the climb through forest. The first four stations are along this route, long abandoned and fallen into disrepair. It's quiet, peaceful and not used much. Left 5th station (visitors center) for the top at 11pm to be at the summit for the sunrise.
ahaass - Feb 19, 2005 9:42 pm
Route Climbed: Stage 5 to summit from south Date Climbed: July 2002Cool experience! Gotta do it! Take a jacket.
wwells - Feb 4, 2005 11:21 pm
Route Climbed: Kawaguchiko Date Climbed: Mid-July, 2001The most culturally iconic climb I will ever do. After taking an early evening bus from Shinjuku in Tokyo, we left Kawaguchiko 5th station at about 9:45 p.m. Arrived at the summit around 4:15 a.m. in time for an unforgettable sunrise. Call me a fool, but I'll do Fuji-san again.
Bryowan - Jan 20, 2005 12:48 am
Route Climbed: Kawaguchiko and Gotemba Date Climbed: September 2004My eighth and possibly last ascent of Fuji-san. Three in the summer of 2004, and once each in Nov. '03, April '02, May '01, Sept. '96 and Aug. '96. I've been hiking in the area many times but was never able to climb from Sengen Shrine. Someday I would love to complete the beautiful old approach route through the forest from Fujiyoshida.
maxcz - Nov 14, 2004 1:52 pm
Route Climbed: Normal Ascend Date Climbed: Aug 1990Climbed Fuji during the Obon vacation, hence the mountain was unbelievably crowded. Set out at 10 pm from the bus stop, and managed to overtake most of the crowds on the way up. The last hour I was practically on my own until the top, which I reached at 2am in the morning. After 2 hours sleep in the (expensive) refuge on the top I woke up to a spectacular, memorable sunrise.
Hector Garcia Hevia - Sep 23, 2004 1:10 pm
Route Climbed: Kawaguchi-ko Date Climbed: September 11th, 2004Went to Japan for a short work trip, so no much time to spare. I took the 08:45 bus from Shinjuku station, arrived at 11:15 at the 5th station and made it to the summit in just under 3 hours. Sliding down took roughly one hour, to make just in time for the last bus to Tokyo. Weather was quite good, with a sea of clouds around 2500 meters. Most of the huts were closing for the season, and some were selling out the drinks for 200 yen, instead of the regular 500.
telesis1 - Jul 21, 2004 9:52 pm
Route Climbed: from Kawaguchi-ko Date Climbed: August 7, 1999A mid-August storm hit, preventing the promised sunrise views. The all-night ascent just wasn't worth it, as I never got to see the mountain nor the surrounding vistas--between the stormy darkness and the morning fog!
2hansen - Jul 7, 2004 10:48 am
Route Climbed: Ascend from tourist station, Descend along tractor track (due to very bad weather) Date Climbed: July 2002Climbed in fine weather, slept in cabin near summit, next day very bad weather with heavy rain and no visibility. Next day again mountain could be viewed from Tokyo!
jstanley - Apr 19, 2004 9:07 am
Route Climbed: normal Date Climbed: 4 July 1959I climbed this as a boy with my parents. The last two thousand feet was all snow. We circumnavigated the crater, briefly getting lost in the mist, and doing a loop interior loop.
roadsidefire - Apr 14, 2004 3:48 am
Route Climbed: Tourist route Date Climbed: June xx, 2002Followed tourist route suggested by Lonely Planet. Raining and lot of elderly tourist. Quite pleasant on the way down.
neocrash - Dec 14, 2003 11:56 pm
Route Climbed: normal route via subaru line road. Date Climbed: Oct 2 2003It may have been clear. but it was frezzing! with the wind blowing you off the your feet, almost made me turn around. but I'm glad I didn't, what a view from the top. and the best part about climbing this mountian in the off season, was that we had it almost to ourselves.
Deb - Dec 9, 2003 9:54 pm
Route Climbed: no route Date Climbed: 12 May 2003Hey, John you got the date wrong, remember I left Japan on 14 May? Too foggy and tons of snow, nevermind we didn't have the time to go for the summit but we stood on the darn thing anyway!
Rockopotamus - Sep 25, 2003 9:56 pm
Date Climbed: 16 April 2003Pulled into Japan for a short port visit and only had a few hours to spend on the mountain. It was the wrong time of the year, but did get so good photos. Maybe next deployment!
HawkeyeHufford - May 2, 2003 12:44 pm
Date Climbed: August 26, 2001Met my friend Jim Lundgren and his daughter Ashley from Moscow, Idaho to hike up Fuji. We arrived at the mountain about 7pm on Saturday, August 25th after four hours in trains/bus from Tokyo. After climbing for awhile at a healthy pace we realized we needed to slow way down, taking long stops at the various stations, to arrive at the top for sunrise (We didn't want to be exposed at the top for several hours waiting). Met people from USA, Europe, Australia and Asia. I was surprised at the number of people who smoked during rest stops! Trail was somewhat steeper than I expected. We got to the top just after sunrise at 6am. Visibility was pretty poor - it is more days than not I'm told. Descending trail was in great shape and we got down pretty fast. "
Steve Hufford
Anchorage, Alaska USA
frankm - Oct 2, 2002 3:00 pm
Route Climbed: Ancient Road & standard ascending route Date Climbed: 25-26 August 2002The Ancient Road begins at Fujiyoshida and adds about 5000 feet to the climb through forest. The first four stations are along this route, long abandoned and fallen into disrepair. It's quiet, peaceful and not used much. Left 5th station (visitors center) for the top at 11pm to be at the summit for the sunrise.
Dave Daly - Oct 1, 2002 10:35 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Tourist Route Date Climbed: July 1990Ka Nichi Wah! The highlight to Fuji: Saki to warm the soul and Japanese hospitality to warm the heart!