Watching the Rising Sun from the Top of Fuji
Mount Fuji is Japan’s largest natural landmark. Also referred to as Fujisan, this celestial landmark is also an active volcano and one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains. Ascending a glorious 3,776 meters (12,389ft) into the sky, the views from the summit are absolutely astounding. No place in the World grants a better sunrise view. I will share my midnight journey to the top of the divine Fujisan, including the perils of being a terrible hiker. Here’s everything you’ll need for a smooth trip to Mount Fuji’s summit.
Seasons of Mount Fuji
Arriving for the official climbing season is imperative if you wish to ascend Mount Fuji. Most of the facilities and trails are operational during early July to mid-September. This season also grants access to easy transportation and the best weather for your journey. If you do not wish to hike straight through the night to arrive by sunrise, reserve a hut beforehand here. Mt. Fuji is between Tokyo (my second favorite city) and the elegant Kyoto. About an hour south-west of Tokyo, the fastest and coolest way to get there is by the Shinkansen (bullet train).
Preparing for the Hike
Even for people who hate hiking (yours truly), Mount Fuji is a relatively moderate hike without any extreme gear. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes, warm clothes, a head lamp, snacks, and plenty of water before you head up. I was only equipped with a leather jacket and a backpack full of unhealthy snacks, so you can imagine how under prepared I was. You might want to train physically so you are up to the task.
Arriving at the Station
We arrived by bus about halfway up the mountain on the popular Subaru Line 5th station staring point to the Yoshida Trail. This is the best option if you are limited on time to hike the entire mountain. We began around 7pm and were accompanied by warm weather and sunny clear skies. Even looking up from the halfway point, you can tell there was a long was to go.
The Midnight Hike
The higher we ascended, the more difficult the climb became. I would recommend reserving one of the huts that you may find along the way. Book many months in advance to avoid hiking up in one shot. Climbing Mount Fuji during the night guarantees avoiding the crowds that wake up early to see the sunrise. Altitude sickness is a thing so be sure to pace yourself.
The higher we rose up the mountain, the darker and colder it got. The warmer temperature below and aerobic activity caused for damp clothes that I probably should of changed out of as I continued the climb. As night began to obscure our vision, I suddenly wished I had brought a flashlight. Stumbling through the darkness up a rocky path is not as fun as you’d think.
Hiking Mount Fuji
In the not so far distance, I heard a loud rumbling which could have been either thunder or a rock fall. The lack of oxygen was also breaking my stride. As our altitude increased, every step drained more breath than the last. As the temperature decreased, I continued to put on more layers for warmth.
There was a good amount of rest stops to eat snacks and rest as the climb continued. All the small huts were occupied so we had to continue our summit to the top. Looking up at the night sky and gazing at the beautiful twinkling stars gave me enough energy to persevere.
Mount Fuji’s Summit
As we approached the summit, the paths became narrower. One misstep could send you plummeting down a rocky cliff. Sleep deprived, exhausted, and shrouded in darkness, I stumbled toward the lookout point.
We reached the peak of Mt. Fuji at the break of dawn. The temperature had dropped considerably, and I was wearing everything I had to retain the heat. Waiting for the sunrise, I began to nod in and out of consciousness as the tempo of my breath slowed. I fought to stay awake as more hikers began to arrive at the top.
Thankfully there were a few vending machines at the top with hot caffeinated beverages. And then a haven among the desolate mountain awoke. A ramen shop had finally opened, and the delicious noodles revived me.
The Divine Sunrise
At long last, the moment we had waited for had arrived. The sky began to light up as the sun came over the horizon. Suddenly all the discomforts of the journey had melted away. The bright orange light began to paint the landscapes with its aura. The golden light pierced through the darkness with its divine radiance. It was truly an awe-inspiring moment to be apart of. Watching the birth of a new day from the top of the Land of the rising Sun.
Descending Mount Fuji
As the crowds continued to flood in, our moment had come to an end. We circled around the enormous crater at the center of the volcano toward the path down. The euphoria of the scenery helped to overcome the lack of sleep and fatigue. The gravel causes slipping and sliding for majority of the decline so be careful. The road down took half the time but double the strain and effort, so remain vigilant.
Should I have been more diligent in preparing for the midnight hike? Yes. Should I not have toured all of Japan with no rest beforehand? Also yes. But from someone with very little hiking experience, I would still recommend taking the journey. Watching the sunrise from the top of Mount Fuji was an unforgettable experience. Hopefully my blunders and near-death experience help prepare you for your own trip. Or you can vicariously hike Fujisan through this post. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Check out our full day trip to the most scenic viewing spots of Mount Fuji on our day trip from Tokyo!
