Climbing Mount Fuji – route, program, tips, alone and in a tourist group, prices 2021
Extreme tours, which travel companies are happy to offer today, can amaze anyone. Tourists are offered travel to the center of the Earth, swimming in mountain rivers and waterfalls, visiting active volcanoes and much more. But climbing to the top of Mount Fuji, which is located in Japan, is considered especially popular. Today we will tell you how you can organize such a trip and make your dream come true.
The locals call it Fujisan, emphasizing the special attitude and deep respect for one of the most beautiful mountain peaks in the world. The ideal, conical shape of the mountain cannot leave indifferent any tourist who finds himself at its foot. It is not surprising that thousands of tourists from all over the world go to conquer the mountain every year.
Recently, climbing does not require phenomenal preparation and expensive climbing equipment. Almost everyone can look at little Japan from the highest point of the island. All that is needed for this is the presence of zeal, a great desire and small financial savings. In our time, the Land of the Rising Sun has opened its arms wide to millions of tourists from all over the world.
Lifehack on the most interesting sights of Japan – I recommend to study.
Stock up on patience, a camera or camcorder, suitable clothes and hit the road. You will have an unforgettable journey to one of the most beautiful peaks in the world, vivid impressions and unique photographs. Let's go on this exciting journey together!
How to get to Fuji
The extreme journey begins in the capital of Japan – Tokyo. Therefore, the first thing a tourist should get to this city.
Next, you will have to transfer to a bus that will take you to the town of Kawaguchiko. By the way, on the northern side of the mountain there are several beautiful lakes with clean, cool water. And one of these reservoirs bears a name consonant with the name of this small town. The whole journey will take a little over an hour, despite the decent distance from the capital of Japan to the mountain range. This is facilitated by the first-class road surface of the local road. By the way, in order to get the opportunity to drive along it, you need to pay a certain fee.
There are many interesting things to see along the way. For example, everyone knows that Japan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. But when you see with your own eyes how dense buildings are here, you understand how the Japanese value every square meter. And how valuable are those few places where mother nature remains the rightful owner.
Breaking out of the concrete jungle, you find yourself in hilly places that, as it seems, have not been touched by man at all. It seems that the huge construction machine of the Japanese has not yet reached these places. Here the plain is replaced by the first hills, and the main mountain of Japan is within easy reach.
This impression is deceptive. It's just that the Japanese are very clean and try their best to maintain cleanliness and pristine condition in these wonderful places. Elderly people with green bandages scurry here and there, who volunteered to collect garbage, which often remains on the slopes of the mountain after the next group of tourists. And what is surprising: mostly elderly people are engaged in cleaning the slopes.
First halt
It is recommended to make the first stop for the night right at Lake Kawaguchiko. There is a small campsite where you can spend the night and gain strength before climbing for a nominal fee of $10. If you have your own camping tent, the overnight stay will be free of charge. Well, for connoisseurs of comfort even in the harshest conditions, one of the many houses will be to your liking. The cost of living in it is $ 40 per night.
Do not forget about the additional costs that will be required as payment for access to water, a toilet, as well as the use of some other amenities. Of course, if you are an avid traveler and always visit the sights in a small group, you can provide for such pleasant and useful little things as a stove, tent, folding furniture. It is with this set that most Japanese come to Lake Kawaguchiko. They instantly set up first-class tents equipped with electricity and continue to enjoy the delights of civilization even hundreds of kilometers away.
It is worth considering in advance the issue of drinking water (other refreshing drinks). During the ascent, of course, you will meet a lot of machines, but you have to pay for everything. At the same time, the higher you climb, the higher the price flaunts on the machines. If you can buy a can of beer or a drink at the foot for an average of $ 1, then closer to the top the cost will be 3-4 times higher.
Second day
After enjoying the beautiful view and gaining strength during the night, we hit the road. You have to be quick to get the best seats on the buses. It is on this transport that the last leg of the journey will have to be overcome before the direct ascent.
By the way, before climbing Fuji was equated with a real test, which only brave and strong samurai could pass. And to conquer the peak, the Japanese went from the most remote corners of the country on foot, taking with them only the most necessary. Such a path made it possible to realize all the insignificance of man, to look into the farthest corners of the soul and to be alone with primordial nature. Even now, among the Japanese there are such brave and courageous people who are able to go through this segment of the path of a real samurai.
Now, from the foot to the top, there are 10 stations, five of which are easily overcome by a comfortable bus. So today we will drive from the campsite to the fifth station. It is located at an altitude of 2300 meters. There is no further way for transport, and you will have to do the rest of the way on foot up a special ladder ladder.
If you wish, you can go all the way from the plain to the top on foot. But be prepared for the fact that dense forests will appear on the way, through which you will have to wade through and sheer cliffs that will have to be bypassed. If the bus journey to the fifth station takes no more than 40 minutes, then it will take several hours to climb on foot.
Fifth station
This is where the crazy trading begins. Here and there you can hear the cries of sellers, frantically inviting tourists to their tents, furnished with all kinds of goods. There are restaurants and eateries on every corner. The bulk of souvenirs and gifts are bought at the local market.
It is also very easy to find a guide here. They climb to the top every day. It's even hard to imagine how many times each of them visited the top of Fuji. It's not hard to find them out. There is a peculiar system of distinctive signs. For example, the guide can be recognized by the blue armbands and flags. Well, organized groups of tourists scurry around in the same uniform.
Since tourists in city clothes and slippers scurry here and there, it becomes clear that the ascent will not require any superpowers and special equipment. Although, it's all a matter of taste.
There is another interesting point here. Each pilgrim who goes to the top can replace an unusual staff in his hands. It is decorated with bells, and some marks are made on the staff. You can buy a staff here for only $10. But marks are received only by those who have overcome the entire path. At each station that will meet along the way, travelers put marks on the staff. Therefore, below you can immediately determine who is just going to conquer the peak, and who has already had the honor of meeting her.
Way to the top of Fuji
The whole road is a kind of huge ladder with a rope railing. Along the way, you can find signs in two languages - Japanese and English. From time to time you come across a kind of platform that is lined with bags of volcanic rock. They will make the path much easier, providing the opportunity to take a break.
It's always crowded here. It seems that you are in the thick of the May Day procession or you are in a large bazaar. You will have to rest only at the command of the escort. Although you can witness how exhausted travelers without strength descend directly onto volcanic ledges, greedily swallow cool water or absorb oxygen from special cylinders.
We need to talk about oxygen in more detail. Since the oxygen content in the air decreases with altitude, such cylinders with an increased oxygen content will be very useful. You can buy them at the fifth station, where we started from, or in the shops along the way. In addition, along the trail there are dozens of shelters and places where you can not only rest, but also have a good meal with one of the local dishes. It is in one of these shelters that you will have to stop for the night in order to hit the road in the morning, when the body will restore its expended strength. After all, what could be more beautiful than a sunrise in a country whose long-standing name is associated with this celestial body?!
Particular extreme people prefer to continue climbing at dusk to spend the night on a mountain peak, which is considered the highest point in Japan. Even at the top, each traveler is waiting for the already familiar set of shelter, vending machines with cold drinks and beer, as well as relatively cozy apartments for the night. Have you ever slept on a dormant volcano crater? Not? Right now there is such a unique opportunity. Try it and be sure to share your new impressions of such an unusual type of extreme recreation. I bet that among your friends there is not one who could boast of something similar.
It is here, at an altitude of 3776 meters above sea level, that amazing landscapes open up. Views of the ocean, tiny villages and huge Tokyo, twinkling with all the lights. Yes, the journey to the top of Fuji is amazing and touching. Everyone who wants to experience new feelings, feel like a real conqueror of mountain peaks, must definitely find time and energy for this most interesting journey.
The top of the mountain is very similar to the surface of Mars. Well, at least the one we've all seen in the NASA photos. At the very edge of the crater is a modern weather station. Although a few decades ago there was nothing here but a dilapidated hut forgotten by God and people. Nowadays, a whole town will open before the eyes of tourists, in which wanderers can hide from the rain, spend the night and even eat. It is clear that the price of all these services will be much higher.
Return trip
When you admire the sunrise to your heart's content, breathe in the freshest, tart mountain air, it's time to get ready for the return journey.
The path to the foot is much easier. Just have time to touch with your feet, going down the tangled stairs. It's like a game where you have to go down a steep staircase as fast as anyone, here and there, jumping over two or three steps. The easiest way to start the descent is early in the morning or at dusk. Because at this time the staircase seems to be empty, and all the tourists disperse to numerous shelters or wait out the night at the top. Having reached the already familiar campsite from the first night, you can still enjoy the local beauties a little more. Well, then go back.
What you need to know
Today, you can only climb Mount Fuji at certain times of the year. The doors of hospitable Japan are open to all thrill-seekers from July 1 to August 26. At this time, shelters work, the weather is good and the conditions are most favorable for climbing, especially for those tourists who go along a difficult route with their children. But a hike to the top in the autumn-winter period or in the spring is possible only after going through a lengthy approval procedure with the local police department.
To simplify the route and reduce the time to climb, you can rent a car. As mentioned earlier, it can be reached directly to the fifth level.
The average time it takes to climb to the top is 5 to 10 hours. It all depends on the preparation and excursion program. Interestingly, the local population has a tradition associated with climbing Mount Fuji. Every Japanese is obliged to pay tribute to the gods, ancestors and the whole country. This can be done only after such a long and difficult path.
Since stairs with reliable railings and cables are equipped along the entire path, even the most unprepared tourist can make a pilgrimage to the holy peak of the Japanese.
Equipment
The required set of equipment includes:
In addition, you can take a few more useful things with you in the form of an oxygen canister, a camera, and so on. From clothing it is better to give preference to a waterproof jacket, boots or other clothing suitable for the season.
Where to book a tour and how much does it cost
Going to conquer the Japanese peak, it is imperative to take care of a reliable guide. Today in Russia it is not so difficult to find a decent company that specializes in such extreme travel. Let's consider some of them.
Club “7 Peaks” is already known to many tourists and lovers of unusual holidays. Experienced staff will gladly show you the shortest way to the top. The cost of the tour is 3.5 thousand dollars (almost 200 thousand rubles).
The tour includes:
In addition, you will have to take care of the flight from Moscow to Tokyo, the acquisition of a visa and medical insurance, and the preparation of a passport. All these nuances will require additional financial injections. For example, only a visa will cost 100 US dollars.
If you are an experienced climber and have traveled half the globe, you can significantly reduce costs by organizing extreme leisure activities on your own, and a good company will become the best guide even in such an unusual and difficult journey.
In addition to these mandatory costs, additional costs must be foreseen. After all, you're not going to return home empty-handed, are you?
I hope that our brief review of the extreme tour will be useful to every tourist who is thinking about conquering the highest point in Japan. Good luck with your travels and reliable comrades on the road!