Mt. Fuji Snow Climb (Off Season Climbs)
Climbing Mt. Fuji while it is still covered in snow is definitely the best opportunity to experience the mountain in it's most natural conditions, without crowds, roped off paths, or vending machines. Beginner snow climbers are capable of completing this objective with some basic instruction, and we manage risk by climbing during the spring season when the snow is soft and the consequences of a slip are minimal.
Skiing and snowboarding from the summit is also a great option to consider.
Snow covered parts of the mountain require ice axe and crampons to climb safely, and we provide these as well as instruction on how to use them during the climb.
Snow climbing is only available between Early May and early June, and Late September to early November. The road to the 5th station must be open for us to run this trip. Trips from September to November may or may not have snow depending on weather, but temperatures and wind conditions are winter conditions and will be treated the same as spring season trips.
*Please do not email us regarding Fuji climbs from mid November through April, we do not do Fuji trips during that period, though can offer plenty of other great mountaineering and hiking objectives.
***Please review the equipment requirements and physical fitness requirements before signing up.
Skiing and snowboarding from the summit is also a great option to consider.
Snow covered parts of the mountain require ice axe and crampons to climb safely, and we provide these as well as instruction on how to use them during the climb.
Snow climbing is only available between Early May and early June, and Late September to early November. The road to the 5th station must be open for us to run this trip. Trips from September to November may or may not have snow depending on weather, but temperatures and wind conditions are winter conditions and will be treated the same as spring season trips.
*Please do not email us regarding Fuji climbs from mid November through April, we do not do Fuji trips during that period, though can offer plenty of other great mountaineering and hiking objectives.
***Please review the equipment requirements and physical fitness requirements before signing up.
|
Mt. Fuji Off Season Climbing Statistics 2018
-Total number of off-season climbs: 21 -Total Successful Summits: 20 -Total number of climbers: 88 -Total number of summiters: 76 -Number of injured climbers: 0 -Climbers that turned around due to fitness or altitude: 3 -Groups turned around by dangerous weather conditions: 1 -Trips Rescheduled due to weather: 4 Mt. Fuji Off Season Climbing Statistics 2023
-Total number of off-season climbs: 29 -Total Successful Summits: 29 -Total number of climbers: 203 -Total number of summiters: 194 -Number of injured climbers: 0 -Climbers that turned around due to fitness or altitude: 9 -Groups turned around by dangerous weather conditions: 0 -Trips Rescheduled due to weather: 4 |
Mt. Fuji Off Season Climbing Statistics 2019
-Total number of off-season climbs: 26 -Total Successful Summits: 25 -Total number of climbers: 158 -Total number of summiters: 144 -Number of injured climbers: 0 -Climbers that turned around due to fitness or altitude: 5 -Groups turned around by dangerous weather conditions: 1 -Trips Rescheduled due to weather: 5 Mt. Fuji Off Season Climbing Statistics 2024
-Total number of off-season climbs: 54 -Total Successful Summits: 51 -Total number of climbers: 288 -Total number of summiters: 257 -Number of injured climbers: 0 -Climbers that turned around due to fitness or altitude: 22 -Groups turned around by dangerous weather conditions: 2 -Trips Rescheduled due to weather: 8 |
Participant Videos
|
|
|
We offer group trips departing from Kawaguchiko near Mt. Fuji in May, June, and late September to October. We reserve the day after as a backup day in case of poor weather conditions, and if your schedule is flexible, please be available for both days since we cannot control the mountain conditions. Having 2 days available allows for the best odds of having a successful summit climb. Changes to schedule will be announced 48 hours before the trip based on the latest Japanese professional mountain forecasting service we subscribe to.
Schedule of group trips
Fee for group trip is 32,500 yen (per person) plus 10% local consumption tax. We require a minimum of 3 people to be able to run the trip, and maximum number is 6~9 people depending on time of year. Participation fee should be paid within 1 week of receiving sign-up approval.
**For 2025 trips: Please add your name to our email list here to be notified when trip sign-ups begin.
Schedule of group trips
- 5:30 a.m. Pickup at Kawaguchiko Station
- 5:40 a.m. Pickup from Mt. Fuji Station
We will stop for breakfast at a convenience store on the way to the mountain and you can buy hiking food at this time as well. - 6:30 a.m. - We'll arrive at the 5th station of the Fujinomiya route, prepare are gear and start up the mountain.
- 11:30 a.m. - Arrive on the summit take some photos then head down
- 3:30 p.m. - Back at the car, and start driving back to Kawaguchiko
- 17:00 - Arrive back in Kawaguchiko area
Fee for group trip is 32,500 yen (per person) plus 10% local consumption tax. We require a minimum of 3 people to be able to run the trip, and maximum number is 6~9 people depending on time of year. Participation fee should be paid within 1 week of receiving sign-up approval.
**For 2025 trips: Please add your name to our email list here to be notified when trip sign-ups begin.
2025 Spring Trip Calendar Listing
**May 1st to May 15th trips will have stricter screening requirements. If you do not have prior snow or glacier hiking / climbing experience, then we are unable to accept you for these dates due to the higher risks involved in an early season trip. All off season trips do require significant hiking experience and we will teach snow skills including ice axe self arrest and crampon use during the climbs.
Space availability takes a bit of time to download so please be patient to see current availability listings.
**May 1st to May 15th trips will have stricter screening requirements. If you do not have prior snow or glacier hiking / climbing experience, then we are unable to accept you for these dates due to the higher risks involved in an early season trip. All off season trips do require significant hiking experience and we will teach snow skills including ice axe self arrest and crampon use during the climbs.
Space availability takes a bit of time to download so please be patient to see current availability listings.
|
|
|
**If a trip is listed as full, you can still apply to be on the waiting list in case of cancellations. Please do not ask us to increase the numbers to accomodate you. We have too many of these requests to deal with now and it is not possible to increase our max.
*Additional group trip dates may be added as currently scheduled trips fill up, if your ideal trip date is full, please get in touch regarding possible backup group trips or waiting list options.
Private Mount Fuji Climbs
Private trips are also available if your schedule is not flexible then we are able to offer private mountain guiding with pickup from your hotel in, Kawaguchiko, Fujiyoshida, Yamanaka-ko, or Gotemba.
*Trips are not available after November 9th as the road to the 5th station will be closed for winter.
1 Day Private Trip Price
*Additional group trip dates may be added as currently scheduled trips fill up, if your ideal trip date is full, please get in touch regarding possible backup group trips or waiting list options.
Private Mount Fuji Climbs
Private trips are also available if your schedule is not flexible then we are able to offer private mountain guiding with pickup from your hotel in, Kawaguchiko, Fujiyoshida, Yamanaka-ko, or Gotemba.
*Trips are not available after November 9th as the road to the 5th station will be closed for winter.
1 Day Private Trip Price
- 1 Person: 105,000 yen
- 2 People: 57,500 yen pp
- 3~4 People: 39,500 yen pp
- 5~9 People: 32,500 yen pp
Transportation and guide are included in the above fee. 10% consumption tax will be added to the total cost. Weekend trips will also have an additional 10~20% fee depending on number of participants.
Equipment Requirements
Please do not wear any cotton on this day, synthetics are best as they dry quickly and will keep you warm even when wet.
Please review our page on dressing for winter adventures to get an idea of clothing and boot requirements. Please do not ask us if you can wear trailrunners for a trip because they are more comfortable, you have to be able to use the crampons we provide.
Fitness and experience Requirements
If you have never hiked on a mountain without snow, then climbing a big mountain like Mt. Fuji without any experience is a very bad idea. You still have time to get in experience before your climb, and if you need help finding some training locations we'd be happy to help you do some research and recommend some good training hikes.
***May and November Climbs - Climbs particularly in May are not considered hiking, this is a legitimate snow mountaineering experience requiring ice axe and crampons for a safe ascent. We do teach and review how to use these tools during the climb, trips from May 1st to May 15th require prior snow hiking experience to be accepted into a trip.
1 day Mt. Fuji ascents are not easy and require at a minimum good fitness. Cardiovascular fitness is most important with leg strength being the second most important. As a minimum you should not even think about doing Mt. Fuji if you are unable to jog 5km (3 miles) in less than 35 minutes.
If you sign up early and aren't quite fit enough, there is time to do some training. Check out the 9 week training plan offered by Backpacker Magazine as a good starting point. Remember, the best training for climbing mountains is climbing smaller mountains!
Please do not wear any cotton on this day, synthetics are best as they dry quickly and will keep you warm even when wet.
- 3 Season Hiking Boots - No trail runners, no Hoka or similar cushion heel boots, no low ankle hiking shoes - You have to be able to attach crampons to the boots
- Long synthetic pants (nylon is great)
- Long sleeve synthetic shirt
- Fleece Insulating layer
- Ski Gloves
- Light Fleece Gloves
- Bring some base layer like heat-tec
- Rain jacket and rain pants
- Snacks and food for about 8 hours of hiking
- Backpack to carry everything with waist belt (25L+) (No shoulder bags or hand bags or convertable luggage bags)
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses or Ski goggles (Mandatory to avoid snow blindness)
- Headlight
Please review our page on dressing for winter adventures to get an idea of clothing and boot requirements. Please do not ask us if you can wear trailrunners for a trip because they are more comfortable, you have to be able to use the crampons we provide.
- Rentals are available for the following items either through Yamarent a local rental shop in Tokyo
- Backpack
- Rain jacket and pants
- Waterproof Hiking Boots
- Fleece Layer
- (Optional) Trekking Poles
Fitness and experience Requirements
If you have never hiked on a mountain without snow, then climbing a big mountain like Mt. Fuji without any experience is a very bad idea. You still have time to get in experience before your climb, and if you need help finding some training locations we'd be happy to help you do some research and recommend some good training hikes.
***May and November Climbs - Climbs particularly in May are not considered hiking, this is a legitimate snow mountaineering experience requiring ice axe and crampons for a safe ascent. We do teach and review how to use these tools during the climb, trips from May 1st to May 15th require prior snow hiking experience to be accepted into a trip.
1 day Mt. Fuji ascents are not easy and require at a minimum good fitness. Cardiovascular fitness is most important with leg strength being the second most important. As a minimum you should not even think about doing Mt. Fuji if you are unable to jog 5km (3 miles) in less than 35 minutes.
If you sign up early and aren't quite fit enough, there is time to do some training. Check out the 9 week training plan offered by Backpacker Magazine as a good starting point. Remember, the best training for climbing mountains is climbing smaller mountains!
Safety Policies
- Travel insurance that includes mountain rescue is strongly recommended to participate. World Nomads and Insured Nomads are two companies that offer policies that cover this. Japanese hospitals also may not provide care without a large advance deposit if you are uninsured, so please consider this carefully.
- For participants under 18 years of age, please consult with us before applying
- All rules and safety guidelines as instructed by guide prior to, and/or during the climb must be followed at all times.
- Being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at any time during the trip is strictly prohibited.
- Kanto Adventures and its guides reserve the right to refuse service to anyone they deem unfit for participation in the activities for which they have enrolled. If you have not brought the required gear as listed we will not allow you to join the trip.
- Kanto Adventures reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a climb if weather conditions do not allow for a safe ascent. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled climb, then you are eligible for a full refund.
- Kanto Adventures cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to personal property while participating in activities. To make sure your belongings stay dry we recommend to pack everything in a water and dust proof travel sack. Fragile items such as cameras should be packed in proper cases/bags.
- In the event someone is obviously not fit enough to make it to the summit, we may request them to turn around before the 7th station and return to the 5th station alone and wait for the group.
- If a participant becomes injured during the climb and requires assistance to descend or rescue, then the ascent will be stopped for the entire group and no refunds are available.
Cancellation Policy
Kanto Adventures reserves the right to cancel a program due to inclement weather, natural disasters, or extenuating circumstances. In the event a trip must be cancelled, a full trip refund will be provided. Should a participant cancel, a cancellation fee may apply. Please see the cancellation fee schedule below. No refunds are available on logistics package, and cancellation fees for individual service providers will be provided before your payment is made.
Kanto Adventures reserves the right to cancel a program due to inclement weather, natural disasters, or extenuating circumstances. In the event a trip must be cancelled, a full trip refund will be provided. Should a participant cancel, a cancellation fee may apply. Please see the cancellation fee schedule below. No refunds are available on logistics package, and cancellation fees for individual service providers will be provided before your payment is made.
| 60 days or more before |
5% of trip fee |
| 59 ~ 30 days before trip: |
25% fee |
| 29 ~ 14 days before trip: |
50% fee |
| Less than 14 days before trip: |
100% fee |