Level 3
Gotemba Trail
Longer. Higher gain. The real hike. Fewer huts.
Elevation Profile3,776m
Duration
7-9 hours up
3-4 hours down
Distance
10.0 km
Elevation Gain
1,936 m
Price
¥58,000
per person
Hour-by-Hour Timeline
18:00
Gotemba 5th Station
1,440m
19:30
6th Station
1,920m
21:00
7th Station
2,400m
22:30
Watanabe hut
2,750m
00:30
7.5 Station
3,000m
02:30
8th Station
3,250m
04:00
Final ascent
3,550m
05:30
Summit sunrise
3,776m
About This Route
The Gotemba Trail is the longest and toughest of the four summer routes. It starts at the lowest point (1,440m) and has the highest total elevation gain (1,936m). There are only 3 huts along the way, and long stretches with no facilities. This is for hikers who want a proper mountain experience, not a tourist walk.
Honest Assessment
“Gotemba is a real hike. The first 3 hours are on loose rock with zero shade. There are long sections with no huts, so you carry more water. If you want to say you climbed Fuji, not just walked up it, this is your route.”
What's Included
- ✓Certified JMGA mountain guide
- ✓Hut reservation (limited availability)
- ✓Headlamp rental
- ✓Trekking poles
- ✓Extra water supply
- ✓Post-climb onsen
- ✓Summit photo
What's Not Included
- ✗Transport to Gotemba 5th Station (complex, we advise)
- ✗Snacks and lunch (bring extra, long route)
- ✗Rain gear
- ✗Travel insurance
- ✗Hut food and drinks
Physical Requirements
- ▶Can walk 15km with 1,500m gain in under 5 hours
- ▶Previous multi-hour hiking experience
- ▶Self-sufficiency mindset — fewer huts, less support
- ▶Strong knee stability for long descent
We turn back unfit climbers. This is for your safety and the group's. No exceptions.
Season
Jul 10 — Sep 10
Best: Mid-July to mid-Aug
¥58,000
per person