I started the hike from the upper station of the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. The information sign at the trailhead recommends preparing for a 6-hour round trip, but it’s definitely doable in 4 hours.
The path leads through a forest with a couple viewpoints of Fuji. The ascent isn’t steep, but it can get a bit slippery because of fallen leaves and after rain.
There are tables with benches near the top, so I’d recommend bringing a stove and having lunch there.
I hiked this route on November 16 and can guess that the ideal timing is likely about a week earlier. As always, the views depend on the weather - I was only lucky during the first part of the hike.
Pretty easy walk, nice view all over the hike !
Up there, there is a deink machine with water, coke and other coffee bottles. Have coins and cash with you ! Free parking lot in the city with a lot of space available.
Toilets available at the beginning of the hike.
Nice waterfall as well
For the love of god, I strongly suggest you read up on the trail from Mitsutoge station to the peak and then back down to Kawaguchi station. You’re pretty much going uphill gradually for most of the trail and then you have to deal with a very steep incline during that last mile or so when you’re already tired. Many people online, like on Alltrails, suggested this particular route but we were the only ones going in that direction. All of the other people we saw along the way were going the opposite route than us, and I soon found out why. The higher you go, the more poorly maintained the trail is. Rocks everywhere, stairs were uneven, some places with a very narrow edge along the mountainside had guardrails that were already collapsed, and there was a wooden bridge we had to cross that felt very unstable. We were happy with the views of Mt Fuji about two hours into our ascent. Had we known how absolutely trash the way down was going to be, we would NOT have completed the rest of the hike, The route to Kawaguchi station was the worst hike we’ve ever done. Literally no one was else was on there except my husband and me. The path is nonexistent at some points, just leaves everywhere that covered rocks and tree roots going down a waterway, not even an actual trail. Barely any signage and barely any markings on the trees. At one point, there were pink ties LEADING US THE WRONG WAY and ended at a dead end in the woods as the sun was setting. We had to double back and rush down the mountain before the sun was completely down. Didn’t even complete the Kawaguchi station trail. We got to the road and called a cab because we frankly didn’t feel like it was safe continuing. We’ve done a few difficult and long hikes in the US and we both agreed this was the worst one we’ve ever done.
Very doable hike, I went from Mitsutoge station to the peak, and from there returned to Arakuyarama park. I would highly recommend taking the route to the ropeway instead, as the way down to Arakuyarama was very steep and slippery (better to go up than down).
The views at the top were decent but not spectaculair. You can see Tokyo when it's clear. The most beautiful views in my opinion we're on the return down, with a much better angle and also a overview of Kawaguchi lake.
It took me about 7-8 hours in total. Be sure to wear a bear bell, especially when you're hiking alone.
My first hike ever and what an experience !!
I took a wrong path at the beginning so it was very very hard but finally I can reach the good path and everything was great. If you are lost follow pink ribbon on the trees it will guides you to the good path.
During all the hike I had a beautiful view over the fujisan and the Kawaguchi lake.
It’s a must to do if you are in this area !
