Mt. Fuji Yoshida Trail 富士山の吉田ルート

The Yoshida Trail is located in southeastern Yamanashi near the border with Shizuoka . Most people who climb Mt. Fuji via this trail do so from the fifth station, although some intrepid climbers still begin their journeys to the summit of the sacred volcano from the historic entrance located at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine , taking several additional hours.

Rail access is from Shinjuku Station. Take an express train on the JR Chuo Line and change at Otsuki Station for the privately run Fuji Kyuko Line for Fujisan Station s(Japan Rail Pass not accepted). The regular train takes about 50 minutes to reach this station, which is the closest station to Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine and the Yoshida Trail.

During the Edo period, followers of the Fujiko faith would start their ascents of Mt. Fuji from a small gate at the back of the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine . If you do plan to walk the trail behind the shrine, map out your route with the GPS feature that accompanies most smartphones.

At the main trail entrance to Umagaeshi, you will be greeted by a pair of stone monkeys guarding the gate. Enter here to climb to Mt. Fuji's fifth station.

Very few people attempt to climb Mt. Fuji from the actual base these days, but the first five stations ascend through the forested section of Mt. Fuji. As you climb, you will notice stone monuments at each historic station donated by various chapters of the Fujiko faith.