Have you ever wanted to climb Mt. Fuji? If you have, then you should know to go when the weather is right. We interviewed Mr. Yasuhiko Ota, the representative director of the Mount Fuji Trail Club, about climbing Mt. Fuji.
Mr. Ota conducts guided tours around Mt. Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes and has climbed Mt. Fuji over 500 times.
The Mount Fuji Trail Club is a group formed by Mount Fuji volunteer guides. In addition to guided climbs, they also manage environmental protection and safety measures.
When to Hike Mt. Fuji
(C) MFTC
The Mt. Fuji climbing season is usually limited from July 1 to September 10. During any other season, it tends to be snowy and dangerous.
Is there a particularly recommended time to climb within the climbing season?
"There are a couple of periods that are not as crowded when you can enjoy climbing more leisurely: from the day Mt. Fuji opens to climbing until Marine Day holiday (this year July 23), and from the end of August (when the Bon holidays are over) to the closing of the mountain (September 10). And on weekdays, there are about 60% fewer climbers than on holidays."
When climbing Mt. Fuji, you may want to aim for a time when it will be a bit less crowded.
Best Days to View the Starry Night Sky
(C) Yamanashi Prefecture, Fujiyoshida City
Many people climb Mt. Fuji to watch the sunrise from the top of the summit. The morning sun rising from a sea of clouds is a magnificent and mysterious scene, a special view that you are unlikely to see anywhere else.
Another thing we recommend is watching the starry night sky from the top of Mt. Fuji.
"Because you are out in nature with no lights, you can see a beautiful, unobstructed view of the clear, starry sky. It is even more spectacular during the New Moon when even the moon's light is dimmed. If you can, try to schedule your climb during a meteor shower. If you're lucky, you can watch tons of shooting stars flying by at the same time."
"If there are too many people using cars to get to the summit for the sunrise, it may be difficult to see the stars because of the headlights. It is a good idea to carefully plan ahead of time and place where you can best enjoy the show. However, it can be quite cold, so don't forget to dress appropriately."
If you plan to watch the sunrise from the summit, the best way to schedule your climb is to plan to rest at a mountain hut the evening before.
"There are places near the huts where you can safely observe the starry sky away from other climbers. Also, you may be able to stay at a mount…
