Top Family-Friendly Hiking Trails Near Mt. Fuji: Safe and Scenic Routes for All Ages
Mt. Fuji, with an elevation of 3776m, is the highest mountain in Japan. With its overwhelming beauty and presence, Mt. Fuji is beloved as a symbol of Japan.
The areas surrounding Mt. Fuji feature abundant nature, with many mountains and spots where you can enjoy views of Mt. Fuji. Around Mt. Fuji, there are also scattered amusement parks and campgrounds that can be enjoyed with children, making it a popular leisure destination for families. Additionally, in July, Mt. Fuji officially opens for climbing season, and many hikers flock to the area.
This time, we will introduce methods and precautions for enjoying climbing Mt. Fuji with children, as well as surrounding mountains where you can enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Fuji.
Even Children Can Climb Mt. Fuji! Difficulty Level and Risks of Climbing with Children
Although Mt. Fuji boasts Japan's highest elevation at 3776m, it is possible to climb it with children. When I climbed, I encountered a family with a 5-year-old child. That family was on their descent, and I remember that child energetically making their way down.
While climbing mountains with children can be fun, the risks are higher compared to climbing with only adults. Here, we will describe potential risks when enjoying Mt. Fuji climbing with children and precautions to prevent troubles.
Difficulty of Climbing Mt. Fuji
The starting point for climbing Mt. Fuji begins at the 5th station, which is over 2000m in elevation (except for the Gotemba trail). Although the hiking distance is about 7km, there is an elevation difference of more than 1000m, with many rocky areas, and the slope becomes steep toward the end, making it not an easy mountain to climb. Preparation and training beforehand are necessary.
As I mentioned meeting a 5-year-old child earlier, I cannot recommend climbing with children under 3 years old when considering safety. While there is no age restriction for climbing Mt. Fuji, based on my actual climbing experience, the recommended age is 6 years or older, when children have entered elementary school. Consider your child's physical strength when attempting to climb Mt. Fuji.
Difficulties of Climbing with Children
Outings with children rarely go according to schedule. This applies to mountain climbing as well, but extra caution is needed for hiking, which is an activity in the great outdoors.
For those considering climbing Mt. Fuji with children, I recommend regularly hiking with your children to get them accustomed to mountains. If you cannot clear a 1000m-class mountain climb, Mt. Fuji will be difficult. If there are no mountains nearby, train with long-distance walking.
What You Should Know When Hiking with Children
Here, we will share what you should know when hiking with children. Please review this information in advance to prevent problems during your Mt. Fuji climb!
The Elevation is High Enough to Cause Altitude Sickness Even in Advanced Climbers
The number one problem that occurs on Mt. Fuji is altitude sickness. The main cause of altitude sickness is decreased oxygen concentration. It is said that more than 30% of Mt. Fuji climbers experience altitude sickness every year.
At 3776m, the summit of Mt. Fuji has only two-thirds the oxygen concentration of ground level. Therefore, even advanced climbers, regardless of age, can develop altitude sickness. If anyone in your family experiences symptoms such as headaches or nausea, rest before descending.
To prevent altitude sickness:
- Do not rush to climb and create a relaxed schedule.
- Climb at the pace of the slowest person in your family.
- Be sure to stay overnight at a mountain hut and avoid making day-trip schedules.
- Rest well the day before and ensure you are in good condition before climbing.
- Hydrate frequently.
- Temperature drops 0.6°C (1°F) for every 100m of elevation. Always carry outerwear and climb in comfortable clothing.
A Slower Pace Schedule Will Help Avoid Problems
Climbing with children inevitably comes with unexpected problems. While a normal Mt. Fuji climb takes about 10 hours from summit to descent, it is recommended to plan a schedule with 1.5-2 times the normal duration, depending on your child's age.
As mentioned earlier, the main cause of altitude sickness is decreased oxygen concentration. Taking frequent breaks, such as resting for 5 minutes after climbing for 10 minutes, helps prevent altitude sickness and conserves energy.
Instead of just aiming to reach the summit, enjoy the scenery during the climb and meals at mountain huts for a relaxed hiking experience on this Family-friendly Hiking Course around Mt. Fuji.
Not Just Equipment, But Also Be Fully Prepared for Toilet Use
Mt. Fuji has mountain huts and toilets at each point called "Stations." The toilets become more crowded as you approach the summit, and you may have to wait in line to use them, so I recommend taking toilet breaks at each point with plenty of time to spare. Toilets are not free, and some places don't accept electronic payments, so it's recommended to bring several 100-yen coins.
In some places, the distance to the next station may be far, so carrying portable toilets (available at 100-yen shops or pharmacies in Japan) is also convenient. To prepare for any emergencies around Mt. Fuji, bringing spare underwear and pants can give you peace of mind.
Managing Children's Motivation Is Extremely Important
The most important thing of all is managing your child's motivation when hiking around the family-friendly Mt. Fuji. Monitor your child's condition regularly while climbing. Even if your child says "I'm not tired" or "I can still climb," please judge when to take a break based on their breathing and complexion. Don't forget to stay hydrated.
Also, if your child is feeling unwell or in a bad mood, don't hesitate to descend. The most important thing about taking children to Mt. Fuji is not reaching the summit but enjoying the time spent climbing. Many people look forward to seeing the sunrise from near the summit of Mt. Fuji, but you can also see a beautiful sunrise from a mountain hut, so it's recommended to set the mountain hut as your goal for the day.
If you stay at a mountain hut at the 8th station, you'll have plenty of time the next morning to reach the summit and descend.
Explain Rest Areas and Priority Passage Rules in Advance
Following rules is also important for safe climbing on Mt. Fuji. There are many narrow passages on Mt. Fuji, and you will frequently pass by other climbers. In Japan, the rule for hiking is that ascending climbers have priority, so if you're descending, share this rule and yield to them. It's also prohibited to take stones or flowers from Mt. Fuji.
It's important for families to confirm the climbing schedule in advance. To avoid getting lost, it's also important to clearly decide on the destination for your next long break after each rest (breaks at each station are recommended).
For Family-friendly Hiking Around Mt. Fuji, Route Selection Is Very Important
There are 4 climbing routes on Mt. Fuji. The difficulty and schedule will vary depending on route selection. Here are the recommendations and cautions for each route.
-Yoshida Trail (For Beginners)
This is the most popular route. Since more than half of the climbers use this route, there are many mountain huts and toilets. The 5th station is also a tourist spot with frequent bus service, making it easily accessible. This route is recommended for first-timers to experience the family-friendly hiking course around Mt. Fuji, but it gets crowded near the summit due to the large number of people.
-Subashiri Trail (For Intermediate Climbers)
This is recommended for families with children who have some physical strength. You'll need to climb about 300m higher than the Yoshida Trail because it starts from a lower position. From the 8th station, it merges with the Yoshida Trail, so there are plenty of mountain huts. The charm of the Subashiri Trail is in the descent. From the 7th station, there's a sandy path where you can enjoy descending by running down like skiing on sand.
-Fujinomiya Trail (For Intermediate Climbers)
This route starts from an altitude of 2400m, which is high among the four routes, but it has the steepest incline and many rocky areas, making it suitable for those with some physical strength. As the second most popular route, it has well-equipped mountain huts and toilets. It's easy to access from Shizuoka Prefecture, so it's recommended for those who want to enjoy climbing along with sightseeing in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The Fujinomiya Trail is located on the west side of Mt. Fuji, so spots for observing the sunrise are limited. If you want to see the sunrise from a mountain hut, the above two routes are recommended for a truly family-friendly hiking experience around Mt. Fuji.
-Gotemba Trail (For Advanced Climbers)
While the other three routes start from an altitude of 2000m, the starting point of the Gotemba Trail is at 1450m, requiring a climb of more than 2000m. It's a gradual climb, but the distance to the summit is 11km, and with few mountain huts and toilets, it's considered the most challenging route.
This route is recommended for those with extensive climbing experience or those who can schedule more than 2 nights for Mt. Fuji climbing. It's recommended for ages 10 and above.
If Visiting Mt. Fuji with Children, a Stress-Free Private Tour is Recommended!
Magical Trip offers private tours that take you around recommended spots in the Mt. Fuji area, accompanied by local guides and drivers with extensive knowledge of the area.
The tour starts at a shrine where you can enjoy the collaboration of the Five-storied pagoda and Mt. Fuji, which has become popular on social media. Next, you'll visit a farm where you can experience harvesting "Wasabi," an essential condiment for Sushi.
After that, you'll visit a shrine at Mt. Fuji's 5th station, then head to "Oshino Hakkai" where beautiful spring water glistens. Finally, you'll visit a shrine with a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji - a tour packed with amazing experiences.
Since buses and trains are infrequent around Mt. Fuji, it would take at least three days to visit all these spots individually. Being able to visit so many locations in one day is the unique charm of this Family-friendly Hiking Course around Mt. Fuji.
Another delightful aspect of the tour is that children can take naps during car rides. The tour includes lunch recommended by the guide, and they also suggest alternative plans in case of rain, making this a perfectly coordinated recommended tour!
- Meeting point: Shinjuku or hotel pickup
- Tour area: Around Mt. Fuji
- Start time: 8:00
Three Mountains Recommended for Families with Children Where You Can Enjoy Hiking While Viewing Mt. Fuji
Mt. Kuki
Source:Google Maps
Mt. Kuki is located in Yamanashi Prefecture, where Mt. Fuji is also situated. It's a 970m high mountain with views of Mt. Fuji from the summit. The trailhead is only a 20-minute walk from the station, and it takes about 2 hours to reach the summit. Including descent time, you can enjoy this Family-friendly Hiking Course around Mt. Fuji in just half a day, making it recommended for families with children under 5 years old who would find climbing Mt. Fuji challenging.
There are multiple routes to reach the summit of Mt. Kuki, but I recommend the "Ikenoyama route." From the observation deck along the way, you can view the experimental tracks for the Linear, a new transportation system. The Linear is a next-generation vehicle that will replace the "Shinkansen." I was excited by this collaboration of Mt. Fuji and the futuristic Linear. If you're lucky, you might even see the Linear running during a test drive.
<Information>
Address: Yamanashi Prefecture, Tsuru City
Access: Take the JR Chuo Line from JR Shinjuku Station to "Otsuki." At Otsuki Station, transfer to the Fuji Kyu Railway and get off at "Tanokura Station." 20-minute walk to the trailhead
Phone number: 0554-22-2942 (Otsuki City Tourism Association)
Website: https://yamanashi--hiking100-jp.translate.goog/course/detail/14?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
Mt. Ashiwada
Source:Wikipedia
For those who think, "Climbing Mt. Fuji is nice, but I want to enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Fuji!" I recommend Mt. Ashiwada. At 1355m high, Mt. Ashiwada is the mountain located closest to Mt. Fuji, offering dynamic views of Mt. Fuji from its summit. There's also an observation deck at the top specifically for viewing Mt. Fuji, allowing you to enjoy the imposing sight. Even as a Japanese person, I was moved by the view from the summit, having never seen Mt. Fuji look so massive before.
It takes about 3 hours at a leisurely pace to climb from the bus stop to the summit, but the path is gentle and easy to climb, making this Family-friendly Hiking Course around Mt. Fuji recommended for families with small children under 5 years old. Since buses are limited, be sure to check the return bus schedule.
Address: Yamanashi Prefecture, Minami Tsuru-gun, Fuji Kawaguchiko
Access:
- Take the Tomei Highway Bus "FujiQ Highland/Kawaguchiko/Yamanakako Asahigaoka Line" from JR Tokyo Station to "Kawaguchiko Station." From Kawaguchiko Station, take the Fujikyu Shin Fuji Line to "Koyodai." 30-minute walk to the trailhead.
- Alternatively, take the JR Chuo Line from JR Shinjuku Station to "Otsuki." At Otsuki Station, transfer to the Fujikyu Railway to "Kawaguchiko Station." From Kawaguchiko Station, take the Fujikyu Shin Fuji Line to "Koyodai." 30-minute walk to the trailhead.
Phone number: 0555-72-3168 (Fujikawaguchiko Town Tourism Division)
Website: https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/kankou/spot/p1_4757.html
Fujikyu bus: https://www.fujikyubus.co.jp/hiking-bus/fujikyu-hiking/ashiwadayama
Mt. Takao
When talking about famous mountains in Tokyo, "Takaosan" (Mt. Takao) comes to mind. Takaosan is accessible just 50 minutes from Shinjuku, allowing you to enjoy hiking casually. Although its elevation is only 599m, you can view Mt. Fuji from the summit.
Takaosan has lifts and cable cars that can take you up to the 472m point. The lift can be enjoyed like an attraction, and at the terminal station, there's a Monkey Park where you can interact with monkeys, making it enjoyable for small children too. Restaurants and souvenir shops are plentiful at both the base and summit.
This popular mountain gets crowded on weekends and holidays. You may need to wait in line for the lift or cable car, so plan your schedule with plenty of time. This Family-friendly Hiking Course around Mt. Fuji offers a perfect day trip for tourists seeking mountain views without the challenge of climbing Mt. Fuji itself.
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Address: Tokyo, Hachioji City, Takao-machi
Access: Take the Keio Railway from Shinjuku Station to "Takao Yamaguchi." Get off at "Takao Yamaguchi Station." 5-minute walk to the trailhead.
Phone number: 042-664-7872 (Tokyo Takao Natural Park Management Center)
Website: https://www.ces-net.jp/takaovc/?page_id=134
