What to bring up Mt. Fuji?

So I climbed Mt. Fuji in August 2022, the first time it had been opened since the pandemic. And there have been a lot of changes since it opened. Below is a list of things to bring up Mt.Fuji.

There are now restrictions on how many people can climb Mt. Fuji at a given time (4, 000 people per trail) and this will add a toll to some of the more popular trails. The Yoshida trail on the Yamanashi side will close the route between 4 p.m. and 3 a.m., except for lodging guests, and is also planning to collect 2,000 yen per climber for using the trail from this summer of 2024. The Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya trails will also be closed during the evenings, except for people staying at mountain lodges.

This is to persevere the trail and limit the wear and tear on the mountain which is a sacred site in Japan. 

What to bring up Mt. Fuji and where to buy it: 

Backpack– You will need a medium to large size bag. Make sure it is comfortable on your body. If you must use a smaller one, packing cubes are your friend. 

Pack-Sack Cover – most backpacks are not waterproof- Daiso

Water– be smarter than me and take water in 5ooml bottles, not 1L bottles. It is easier to carry across the body and easier to reach in your bag. Daiso or Seiyu

Snacks– Bring riceballs, dried meat, nuts, and dried fruit- high energy. The dried food and be bought at Daiso or Seiyu. Get the riceballs the day of, try about two per meal. So 4 to 6 depending on if you are going to eat all your meals on the mountain. 

Sunscreen– Bring sunscreen. I did not bring enough and I burned. It took hours for it to happen because I have a bit of melanin, but yeah. It was a bad burn. 

Cash- Bring lots of coins for the bathroom and for things to buy at the temple and post office as well as the marks for your walking stick. 7,000 yen is a good average. I also had lunch at the end of my trip. And there are onsen nearby if you want to do that. You are paying for the restrooms from someone else to haul your waste down the mountain- it must be paid for. 

Body wipes- Daiso – you cannot shower here and will have to sleep in close quarters with others. Besides it is nice to refresh after making it to your mountain hut. 

Hiking poles- bring your own or buy one on the mountain. I bought one on the mountain and had it branded with stamps at each station. They cost about 1,000 to 1,500 yen for the poles and 3oo yen to 600 yen for the brands. 

Headlamp/Flashlight- Have both, but if you can have one have the headlamp. You can get it from Muji for about 700- 1000 yen. It is worth it as it will help you to do the night climb if you are trying to see the sunrise on the top of the mountain. 

Large Zip-Lock Bags– to keep all extra clothes and items dry

Garbage Bags- Everything you bring up you must take down. Take all your trash with you. 

Clothes 

Sweatpants –These are great for the winter section of the mountain, after about mountain hut 6.5 to 7. 

Gloves- You will need these once you get higher. The mountain goes from summer to winter quickly. I brought 2 pair one for warmth and a work set. The work set was great for climbing. 

Shorts- Good for the start of the trail and the way back down after the winter section.

Good socks- Wear a pair and bring at least one pair. Fresh socks are amazing to sleep in and climb in. Not cotton. 

Jacket- If you have a compact down jacket, bring it and tie it to the outside of your backpack. It is needed for the colder sections. 

Water and windproof Pants- Maybe- I did not need these but check your weather. I was lucky and it did not rain while I was on the mountain 

Sunglasses– Once you are above the cloud layer you will need sun protection.

Shoes/ Climbing boots- Have something stable with a good grip. I did might in boots. That being said I saw a young girl climb the mountain in kitten heal and a min skirt. She made us all look like amateurs. So know thy self. 

Hat- Have something that covers most of your face. If it gives old lady vibes, then it is the right hat. Even better if you add and neck towel or handkerchief over the back of your neck. These can be found at Daiso. 

Winter clothing– Bring a sweatshirt to go with your sweatpants.

Base layers– wear one set and have one to change into once you are all sweaty.

Gaiters for hiking– this will keep the sand and dirt out of your shoes. This is a must for the Sunabashiri (sand running) trail.