Yamatrip Mt. Fuji Climbing Tour FAQ

Q. What exactly is the difference between the 7-piece set and the 12-piece set?

The 7-piece set covers the basics: (1) rain jacket & pants, (2) backpack (with cover), (3) hiking boots (with socks), (4) trekking poles, (5) gaiters, (6) headlamp, and (7) fleece. The 12-piece set is a full-support package that adds five more items to those seven: (8) trekking pants, (9) performance tights, and (10) knee supporters to reduce the strain on your legs, plus (11) outer gloves and (12) a hat. Please note that the 12-piece set is not available in children's sizes or in sizes larger than men's 2XL.

Q. What items are not included in the rental set and need to be prepared by myself?

Please bring the following yourself: base layers and a long-sleeved shirt (must be quick-drying synthetic fabric), long trousers (must be quick-drying synthetic fabric — jeans and cotton or linen chinos are not suitable), additional warm layers such as a lightweight down jacket, gloves for layering (work gloves and waterproof gloves), a hat (if you are not renting the 12-piece set), water and snacks, sunscreen, a towel, coins for the toilets (100-yen coins), a power bank, your health insurance card or travel insurance details, and a change of clothes for after the descent.
*Cotton clothing and jeans are strictly not recommended, as they stay wet and chill you once you sweat. You are welcome to bring your own climbing clothes and gear, but please avoid cotton and denim in the same way.

▶ See the complete Mt. Fuji packing guide (with a printable PDF checklist)

Q. Should I rent hiking boots or bring my own?

If this is your first time climbing, we recommend renting, because newly purchased boots need time to be broken in. If you already have hiking boots that fit you well, you are very welcome to bring them. Please note that boots stored unused for a long period can have deteriorated soles even when they look perfectly fine, so we recommend checking their condition before the tour.

Q. Can I join in low-cut trekking shoes? Are high-cut hiking boots required?

Low-cut trekking shoes (proper climbing shoes with a firm sole) are perfectly acceptable, and high-cut boots are not a requirement for joining. However, please avoid everyday sneakers and running shoes, as they do not offer the ankle support or the grip needed for Mt. Fuji.

Q. Are trekking poles required? Can I use the wooden kongo-zue staff I bought on a past climb instead?

Trekking poles are not a required item, but we strongly recommend bringing them. They let you spread the load across "two legs plus two arms" and are one of the most effective pieces of climbing equipment for reducing the strain on your legs, especially on the descent. A kongo-zue (the wooden staff you can have branded with stamps along the way) makes a lovely souvenir, but its length cannot be adjusted like a telescopic pole, and it is less effective at easing the load on the way down. If conserving your energy is a priority, we recommend using trekking poles. Trekking poles are also included in the rental sets.

Q. What kind of gloves should I bring? (work gloves, waterproof gloves, liner gloves)

We recommend preparing gloves in layers, both to protect against sunburn and injury and to keep you warm. If you have work gloves and waterproof gloves (such as Temres), you do not need thin liner gloves. Two sets of work gloves, including a spare, will give you peace of mind. Wear the waterproof gloves tucked inside the sleeves of your rain jacket so that rain cannot run in. On clear days the backs of your hands will burn, so please do not climb bare-handed.

▶ See the complete Mt. Fuji packing guide (with a printable PDF checklist)

Q. Can I leave luggage I don't need on the climb in the bus? Can I leave a suitcase?

Yes. Luggage you do not need on the climb — a change of clothes for the hot spring after the descent, suitcases, and carry-on cases — can be left in the bus luggage compartment free of charge (we would appreciate it if you could keep it to roughly one item per person). This is also useful if you cannot leave your luggage at your hotel the night before. There are also coin lockers (paid) at Fujinomiya 5th Station. However, please never leave valuables such as your wallet or smartphone in the bus — always keep them with you during the climb.

Q. How do I pick up and return the rental gear?

Sets at the "Yamatrip exclusive price" are picked up and returned on the day of the tour only. The pickup point depends on the meeting point (bus boarding location) you selected when booking: if you meet us in Shinjuku, you receive your gear at check-in; if you meet us at Haneda Airport, it is handed to you on the bus or at Fujinomiya 5th Station. If you would prefer to receive your gear at home in advance and prepare at your own pace, you can book at Yamarent's regular price (a 10% discount coupon can be applied), which allows options such as home delivery from five days before your first day of use.

Q. In what order should I book the tour and the rental gear?

A rental booking requires the "order number" issued when you book the tour, so please always book the Mt. Fuji climbing tour first, then open the dedicated rental page from the URL in your order confirmation email and book your rental gear there.

Q. Can I buy food and water during the climb?

There are shops at the 5th Station and at the 6th Station, about a 30-minute walk above it, but the itinerary does not allow enough time to shop at a relaxed pace. Beyond the 6th Station there is nowhere to buy anything until the mountain hut. The food sold on the mountain is limited in variety, and prices rise with the altitude (even at the 5th Station they are roughly 1.5 to 2 times those at the foot of the mountain). Please therefore prepare the food and water you will need on day one in advance.

Q. Is my booking confirmed? I haven't received a confirmation email.

A booking confirmation email (subject: Yamatrip Booking Confirmation #0000) is sent automatically after you order. If the email address of the lead participant entered in the booking form on the product page differs from the address entered at checkout, the address entered at checkout takes priority as the destination. If you would like us to resend the confirmation to the address you entered on the product page, or if you are not sure which address is registered with Google Pay or a similar service, please contact us through our inquiry form with your name, departure date, mountain hut name (or plan name), and the email address you would like us to use. We will check your booking and resend the confirmation email to the address you specify.

Q. I don't know my booking number (order number).

If you have lost the "order number beginning with #" that you need in order to book rental gear and for other procedures, please contact us through our inquiry form with your name, departure date, and plan name (mountain hut name). We will check your booking and let you know your order number.

Q. I registered the wrong email address. Can it be changed?

Yes, we will take care of it. Please send us your correct email address through our inquiry form, and we will send the confirmation email and the final information email to the correct address. There is also no problem at all if you registered different email addresses for the tour and for the rental gear. The final information email for the tour is sent to the lead participant's email address entered in the tour booking form.

Q. Can I join a waiting list for a plan that is fully booked?

If the plan you want is fully booked, please use the "Notify me when a place becomes available" button below the participant information fields on the product page. You will receive an email when a place opens up.

Please note that this notification is not first-come, first-served: it is sent to everyone who requested it at the same time. The plan may already be fully booked again by the time you open the page, so we appreciate your understanding.

Q. When is my credit card charged? Can I pay at a convenience store?

The tour price can only be paid by credit card at the time of booking. Convenience store payment, bank transfer, and other methods are not available.

Q. After booking, can I change the participants or add or reduce the number of people?

To add people, please place a new booking and let us know the order number; we will then arrange for everyone to be in the same group. To reduce the number of people, please contact us through our inquiry form, telling us how many people the booking is changing from and to, and the names of those cancelling.

Up to 21 days before the departure date, you may change who is joining without any cancellation fee.

Q. My friend and I booked separately. Can we still take part together?

Yes. Even with separate bookings, if you let us know your order numbers we can seat you next to each other on the bus and arrange for you to be in the same climbing group.

Q. From when do cancellation fees apply?

Tour cancellation fees apply from 20 days before departure, counted back from the day before the departure date (for example, 20% from 20 to 8 days before, 40% on the day before, and 50% on the day of departure).

Q. What happens in bad weather or a typhoon?

If we decide to cancel the tour, you may choose a full refund or a change of dates free of charge. If you decide to cancel yourself before we have announced a cancellation, the standard cancellation fees apply.

Q. Will the tour be cancelled if the minimum number of participants is not reached?

Yes, the tour is cancelled if the minimum number of participants is not reached. We decide whether a tour will run no later than one month before departure (55 days before for some courses).

Q. Where is the meeting point?

For Shinjuku departures, it is the street in front of the Yamatoya Building, the building that houses the Yamarent Shinjuku store. For Haneda Airport departures, it is the bus pool between P1 and P2 at Terminal 1, and the chartered bus stop on the 2nd floor departure level at Terminal 2. We will send you more detailed meeting point information in the final information email, 5 to 10 days before your departure date.

Q. How do I recognise the tour bus?

Our tour buses display the Yamatrip logo at the front, together with a sign reading "Yamatrip" or "Mt. Fuji Climbing Tour" (in Japanese). Our staff will also be at the meeting point, so please feel free to speak to them. If you cannot find a member of staff, please contact us and we will guide you.

Q. Is there a hotel pickup service?

Hotel pickup is not included in this tour. All participants need to come to the designated meeting point.

Q. Can I join the group directly at Fujinomiya 5th Station?

As a rule we do not offer a plan that starts at the trailhead. As an exception, joining the group at Fujinomiya 5th Station is possible when someone else in your group boards the bus in Shinjuku or at Haneda. Please note that there is no discount or refund for the bus fare in this case.

Q. On the way back, can I leave the group at the hot spring facility, Gotemba Station, Kawaguchiko Station, or elsewhere?

You may leave the group at Fujinomiya 5th Station or at the hot spring facility we plan to stop at (in the Gotemba or Susono area). No refund is given for the unused portion. If you return your rental gear and collect your stored luggage at Fujinomiya 5th Station and leave the group there, taking a public bus from the 5th Station may get you back to Tokyo earlier. Please note that we cannot drop you off anywhere else off the route, such as Gotemba Station or Fujinomiya Station.

Q. If I join at Haneda Airport, can I take part without flying?

Yes, you are welcome to join us at Haneda Airport even if you are not flying. In that case, please book the Terminal 1 option, as the bus arrives there first.

Q. I'm a beginner. Which plan do you recommend?

Every course is designed with beginners in mind. If you exercise regularly, we recommend the plan staying at Sunabashirikan; if you are unsure about your fitness, we recommend the plan staying at Yamaguchi Sanso, which has a shorter walking distance on day one. Although we describe the tours as "for beginners", experienced and intermediate climbers are equally welcome. We use the Fujinomiya Route and the Prince Route, which are less crowded, so experienced climbers can enjoy a quiet climb as well.

▶ [Free assessment] Which route should you choose? A breakdown by climber type and fitness level

Q. Will we see the sunrise from the summit?

Yes. All of our plans are designed so that you watch the sunrise from the summit. In bad weather, however, this may not be possible.

Q. Which way does the Prince Route descend? Does it include the Osunabashiri?

The Prince Route descends via Kengamine (3,776m) → the summit of the Gotemba Route → 7.9th Station / Akaiwa Hachigo-kan → 7.5th Station → 6th Station on the Gotemba Route → Hoei Crater → Fujinomiya 6th Station → Fujinomiya 5th Station. The conventional Prince Route descends via the Osunabashiri, but our tour takes the route back to Fujinomiya 5th Station via Hoei Crater instead. This means descending step by step on stable rocky slopes, which is less physically demanding than the Osunabashiri and better suited to beginners.

▶ The complete guide to the "Prince Route" and the spectacular Hoei Crater

Q. What happens if I have to drop out partway?

At the guide's discretion, you will either stay at a mountain hut along the route that has space, or wait at a hut until the main group comes back down. The tour price is not refunded, and any additional costs such as the new hut accommodation are at your own expense.

Q. Can we do the crater rim circuit (ohachi-meguri)?

For safety and fitness reasons, Yamatrip tours do not offer the crater rim circuit as an option. However, reaching Kengamine, the highest point in Japan, is part of the standard itinerary (except in bad weather).

Q. Do the mountain huts have private rooms?

The mountain huts used on our tours (Chojo Fujikan, Munatsuki Sanso, Yamaguchi Sanso, Akaiwa Hachigo-kan, and Sunabashirikan) do not offer private rooms.

Q. Are the shared rooms in the huts separated by gender? Is it all right to join on my own?

Room assignments are decided by the mountain hut. As a rule, one room is shared by up to about four people. If you are a woman travelling alone and a women-only room cannot be arranged, you may share with people from other groups, including men. Solo participants make up just under 40% of our guests, so joining alone is not unusual at all. On Mt. Fuji everyone tends to climb quietly and steadily, so even groups do not talk much along the way. Please feel free to join us on your own.

Q. Is there somewhere to change clothes at Fujinomiya 5th Station? (especially for Haneda departures)

The only place to change at the 5th Station is the temporary toilets. We recommend arriving at the meeting point already dressed for climbing as far as possible, so that you have as little as possible to change. If you have booked rental gear at the Yamatrip exclusive price, participants departing from Haneda and those on the Fujinomiya Route or Prince Route receive their gear on the bus after arriving at the 5th Station.

Q. Is there an age limit?

Under our agreement with the guide association, all plans are open to participants aged 10 to 74. We are unable to accept participants aged 75 or over. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Q. I'm worried about altitude sickness. Is there anything I can do?

The most important thing is to arrive on the day in good health. During the climb, the effective measures are to walk slowly enough that you never get out of breath, to drink water frequently, and to breathe deeply and correctly.

▶ Mt. Fuji and altitude sickness — the facts and three measures that really work

Q. Can I join if I have a chronic medical condition?

If you have a cardiovascular condition or a similar medical history, please be sure to consult your doctor before joining.

Q. Does the tour price include climbing insurance?

The tour price does not include personal travel or climbing insurance. If you would like cover, please arrange it yourself. Please also note that we are not licensed insurance agents, so we are unable to recommend specific policies.

Q. Can visitors from overseas join? Is it all right if I don't speak Japanese?

Yes, we warmly welcome guests from overseas, and you can join even if you do not speak Japanese. Our guides lead the tour in Japanese only and there is no interpretation into English, Chinese, or other languages. However, on the bus we hand out printed materials with the important information and safety instructions translated into Japanese, English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. The key safety instructions that guides need to give during the climb are also covered in these materials in each language, so you can join with confidence.

Q. Can you complete the Mt. Fuji entry procedures on my behalf?

No, we cannot do this for you. By the day before your climb, you need to complete the following steps yourself using Shizuoka Prefecture's FUJI NAVI app.

*When registering in advance for an overnight climb, you must enter the name of the mountain hut you have booked. For full details of the procedure, please see the official Shizuoka Prefecture page on Mt. Fuji entry procedures. We will also explain the steps again in the final information email.

Q. Will there be time at the summit to visit Okumiya of Sengen Taisha Shrine or to receive a goshuin stamp?

You may be able to stop by during the toilet break at the summit, but we cannot guarantee it, as there may not be time depending on the weather, how busy it is, and the guide's safety judgement.

Q. Where can I buy portable oxygen?

You can buy it at the souvenir shop at Fujinomiya 5th Station. However, the shop at the 5th Station is small — a single store inside a container — so if you definitely want oxygen, it is safer to prepare drinkable oxygen or portable oxygen canisters in advance (please check your airline's rules on carrying them on board). We also have a dedicated article on preventing altitude sickness, including the use of oxygen.

▶ Mt. Fuji and altitude sickness — the facts and three measures that really work

Q. Can I post a letter from the post office at the summit?

If you bring a letter with the stamps already attached, you can drop it in the postbox. However, we usually pass by before the post office counter opens (normally 6:00 a.m.), so buying stamps at the counter may not be possible.

Q. Do you stop at Kusushi Shrine at the summit?

Our tour heads for Kengamine (3,776m), the highest point in Japan, so we do not stop at Kusushi Shrine. On the way to Kengamine we pass right in front of Okumiya of Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, but whether there is time to stop there depends on the weather, how busy it is, and the guide's safety judgement, so we cannot guarantee it.

Q. If I feel unwell partway and cannot continue, can I rest at a mountain hut?

At the guide's discretion, you will either stay at a mountain hut that has space or wait at a hut until the main group comes back down. For example, if you become unwell on the way to the summit from Yamaguchi Sanso, depending on the situation you may walk back down the way you came to Yamaguchi Sanso and rest there until the next day. In every case, the tour price is not refunded, and any additional costs such as the new hut accommodation are at your own expense. With "descending safely" as the top priority, your guide will decide on the best course of action on the spot.

Q. Can I contact you by phone?

We handle all tour enquiries through our inquiry form. We are unable to take enquiries by telephone, and we appreciate your understanding. We will send you an emergency contact number for the day of departure in the final information email.

If anything is still unclear, please feel free to contact us.

For questions the FAQ doesn't answer, please use our inquiry form.