Mount Fuji, Japan

Yesterday I climbed mount Fuji here are some things I learned from my time going up the mountain.

Travel From Tokyo to Fuji:
1. The cheapest way to get to Fuji is to take the bus that goes from Shinjuku station in Tokyo to Kawaguchiko (a small Japanese mountain town) one way tickets cost around 1700 yen.  From there you take another bus from Kawaguchiko to mount Fuji's 5th station (the standard starting place for people going up the mountain) round trip tickets for Kawaguchiko to the 5th station cost 2000 yen.

2. If the bus is full for the time you want to go to Fuji you can always take the trains from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko but be advised it takes about 900 more yen, more time, and involves changing trains which if your experience is anything like mine can be confused by various JR staff giving conflicting advice on which trains you should ride.  The plus side of the train option is that they offer later trips to and from Kawaguchiko than the bus does so it will work in a pinch.


Fuji Tips:
1. Bring warm clothes if you plan on going up the mountain particularly if at night bring warm clothes because it can be bitterly cold before sunrise on the top.

2. Bring rain gear because mount Fuji can rain at any time because as with many major mountains they make their own weather so bring rain gear just in case.


3. If you plan to sleep in the mountain huts it will cost 8000 yen and will give you a space on what can be described as a cushioned plank with a sleeping back and a small pillow as well as two small meals.  It is important to know that it can be extremely noisy in the huts.  Hopefully you will not have the same experience as myself but with people constantly coming in, people talking, and what I can describe only as cartoonish snoring from one person in the hut sleeping was impossible.  I actually slept better curled up against a rock near the top of the mountain than I did indoors so if you do go, do yourself a favor and pack something to block out the light and ear plugs to lessen the noise.


4. Bring money for the toilets their cost ranged from 100 to 300 yen.  Also finding western toilets may be difficult and if you are near the top and you see brown or black water in the bowl that is just the color of the water not left overs from those before you.  (Below I have a picture of a diagram I saw in one of the bathrooms on how to use a Japanese style toilet I personally like the cat, bull's eye, and group of people outside the window)

5. Make sure you have all the supplies (water, food) you need before you go down the mountain because there are not really any places to eat or drink when you go back down so if you are too low stock up at the top even though the prices are pretty high.