I’m a female in my mid-20s planning on hiking Mt Fuji on my own for the first time. I’m in okay shape (skinny, semi-athletic). I’m planning on going after Labor Day weekend before it officially closes. As of right now I plan on beginning around sunrise on a weekday.
Gear that was recommended to me so far is:
-hiking boots
-backpack
-water & snacks
-rain jacket
-long pants
-extra socks
Of course I want to get the walking stick + stamps so I know to bring yen. I’m thinking of maybe bringing my Fuji film camera and/or GoPro. Any ideas for the best way to record this experience through video or photography?
What other gear or advice do you all have for me?
18 comments
Some sort of satellite messenger plus ensuring someone knows your plans are unexciting but highly recommend safety basics for any solo adventuring.
If you’re planning to start climbing in the morning and trying to climb down the same day, I strongly recommend against that
Dang, hiking on an exposed mountain up and back in the same day sounds tough. The sun (if it’s sunny) would be really strong and uncomfortable. Additionally, the hike is “boring” in that the way up you’ll be staring at bare rock unless you stop to turn around and look at the views. I mean to say I don’t see much benefit to a hike done exclusively during daylight hours, in fact the opposite.
I hiked starting at around 8pm with a friend and we caught the sunrise at the summit before heading down again.
I think that plan would give you more wiggle room if you unexpectedly took longer at any point.
Of the tip of my head from my climb years ago.
While it’s good not to overestimate one’s abilities, don’t underestimate your speed either. It’s not so fun to get to the top many hours before the sunrise and it’s just cold and dark there with nothing to do. However, shortly before the sunrise, the last part from the higher cabins to the summit can get crowded, so it’s good to be there in somewhat good time at least.
The walk back down is one of the most boring things I’ve done. The same kind of zigzagging path, annoying gravel to walk on and just wanting to be home already…
IIRC, I brought a 2l water bottle and when I was back at the 5th station I had almost exactly half left, so that turned out to be a bit of unneeded weight to carry.
I would always recommend hiking with friends. But if you plan to hike alone at least let people know where and when you are going / expected to be back. If you hike at dusk or night, I recommend a head lamp. Also bring your own toilet paper (unless you fancy paying an extra ¥100 yen for the privilege to wipe), you will have to pay for the privilege to use a toilet tho. For an inexperienced climber, a small oxygen can (looks like a spray can) for altitude sickness can be a life saver. Extra battery pack to charge your phone on the go just in case.
if you want to be safe, reserve a mountain hut to sleep.
i did the up&down nonstop 3 times, its doable but hard. and if it rains, its hell. the 4th time (this year) I just paid the 10k and slept in a hut. the rest really makes a difference.
you definetively need good trekking shoes, headlight if climbing night hours, and layered clothing. no cotton shirts. and rainwear. if it rains and you get wet, you will suffer hell.
you will see ppl in shorts, running shoes or even crocs. they are crazy. the way down from Yosjida trail is shorter in time (3-4hs), but much more painful to the feet and knees.
bring headache painkillers, and protein bars or snacks. 2-3 500ml pet bottles. they are expensive there, but also carrying much weight is no fun. and go slowly very weary of your condition. altitude sickness is no joke. i had it once and I was literally having allucinations and seeing color lights in the sky, and horrible headaches. take small rests along the way and control your breathing
there is mobile signal almost everywere. but bring a powerbank just in case.
i recommend weekdays. much less people.
there is a post office in the top..be sure to send some postcards from there! they also sell a climbing certificate for 500y
>As of right now I plan on beginning around sunrise on a weekday.
Are you planning to hike from the base of the mountain? You might not be able to get a bus up to the 5th station until around 9AM. Then you would get there around 11AM. I’ve hiked from the base starting in Fujiyoshida, but it adds an extra 5-6 hours depending on your pace. If you’re in okay shape and don’t regularly hike, I would recommend getting a mountain hut if you start from the base.
Coins for the toilets and gaiters to keep the sand/ash out of your pant legs/shoes on the way down.
In addition to everyone else’s recommendations, I recommend the mini sized Fuji hiking pole rather than the giant one – way easier to carry and display. You’ll need plenty of coins for each of the stamps in addition to coins for the bathrooms.
Also, don’t forget sun protection – I recommend really thin long sleeves and gloves, because the hike, especially on the way back down, is completely exposed to the sun.
Don’t forget to cut your toenails really short before you go.
Just climbed a few weeks ago.
As far as gear, Things I would definitely take include rain gear (top and pants.) It didn’t rain a ton when I went, but if you’re in-between stations, it could be an issue. A fleece or warmer jacket if you plan to watch the sunrise. It gets chilly at 3 am while you climb the summit. Also, get some [gaiters](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/gaiters.html) for the trek down. You’ll be sliding down loose rock that will get in your shoes and cause blisters/ make you stop a lot. You can rent them beforehand and return them at station 5.
Light gloves are optional- you’ll love them at the summit and while climbing the rocky areas around station 7.
There are plenty of places to stop and take pictures and video. But as others have mentioned, a headlamp is great for that morning hike.
Extra tip from the hike this year in terms of how crowded it is. We went with a tour group and the guides had most everything timed out. The sunrise is around 4:50 am and we started out about 2:30 am for the summit. If you’re going solo around Labor Day, get a mountain hut at station 8 the night before and start out a bit earlier(2:00 am). There is a traffic jam of people at the summit and you want to make it in enough time to get a good place and see the sunrise.
good luck. You’ll enjoy it.
heres a list (in JP)
https://www.upon.co.jp/nature/fuji/checklist.html
You’ll be fine, just bring warm clothes and lots of water. I don’t hike but I’m athletic and it took me 3 hours to the top, and 2 and a half to the bottom. I took a half hour break at the top so it was 6 hours total. I had running shoes and the descent was pretty tough though, would recommend hiking shoes
I just did the hike a couple of weeks ago. We went up and down in the same day. Highly recommend at least one trekking pole on the way up. It’s steep and rocky and can help quite a bit. I went up in shorts and a tank top but had pants, jacket, socks, gloves and a hat in my bag just in case. I didn’t end up needing them but it did start raining on my way up and a lot of people geared up in rain gear and ponchos. Don’t forget sunblock. I used it on my upper body and didn’t burn but nothing on my legs and calves and they got burned quite badly. You already know about the huts, bring plenty of yen to get drinks and stay hydrated on the way up. The way down is very loose sand and rock. If you have some gaiters, definitely bring them to keep the rocks out of your shoes. Lastly you definitely want a good pair of hiking shoes. I did it in running shoes and definitely wish I had better footwear.
It took us 6.5 hours on the way up and 3 hours to get down. We woke up at 430 and took a bus to the 5th station. Got there around 6 and chilled for an hour to acclimate to the elevation change. We made it back just in time for the last bus at 6pm.
I am happy to follow up if you have any questions or want me to elaborate. I hope you have an amazing time!
Electrolytes! You can get salt depleted from the sweating from the constant sun exposure. It’s more dangerous than not getting enough water.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, a bandanna or mask to keep the dust out of your face. Lots of layers because it can be really cold at night and burning hot during the day. Gloves so that when you fall down you don’t rip up your hands, A headlamp so you can see where are you are going at night. (Maybe you are trying to go in the daytime only?. Most people take the bus up to the fifth stage, then start around nine or 10 PM. You can see the sunrise from the top). Rather than water, something like Pocari sweat or Aquarius
Podcasts, audiobooks and music.
The way down is an absolute saga. I’d have lost my damn MIND if I trudged it in silence.
I think bringing a cable+power bank for your phone is a good idea, phones die quicker than we expect, having a way to recharge it is a good idea.
Bring a flashlight or a headlamp for illumination.
Hiking boots – you can if you want but each kilogram on your feet is like 2kg on your back. (running shoes are better in my opinion)
Long wear – definitely. Top and bottom, but thin and wear layers. A rain coat is a good idea too. But again, layers for everything.
Gloves – you didn’t mention it, but the rocks are razor sharp. I didn’t wear any and sliced my hands open. (might want a few band-aids in your bag)
Money – bring alot. Water starts at 300 yen and goes as high as 500 the higher up you get. Toilets are 200-300yen a go, you can get water soluble toilet paper from montbell BTW.
Food and drinks – both can be found on the mountain for a price. I’d bring a fair amount. Peanut m&m’s are your friend.
-Extra stuff not mentioned-:
Sunblock, bring that shit. Put it on every hour.
Insurance, it’s cheap and I saw someone getting airlifted off the mountain when I went.
As for stuff like cameras. I bought a film camera (Canon Autoboy) go-pro can be heavy but I’d say worth it. Bring batteries for your gear.
Staying on the mountain – reserve a hut if you’re going to stay, some have outlets .