You're standing at Shinjuku Station. It's 6:00 AM. You have a rail pass, a backpack full of Onigiri, and a vague dream of seeing Japan’s most iconic peak. But honestly, looking at a map of Mount Fuji for the first time is kind of overwhelming. It’s not just a mountain; it’s a massive, multi-prefecture geographic system that spans Shizuoka and Yamanashi.
Most people think they can just "go to Fuji." You can't. It’s too big.
If you look at a topographic map of Mount Fuji, you'll notice it isn't a perfect cone once you get close. It’s jagged. It has "sub-peaks" like Mount Hoei, which created a massive crater on the side of the mountain during the 1707 eruption. If you don't know which trail you're on, you might end up on the wrong side of the volcano, facing a three-hour bus ride back to your hotel.
The Four Main Trails on the Map of Mount Fuji
Geography matters here. There are four primary routes to the summit, and they are not created equal.
The Yoshida Trail is the one everyone knows. It’s the "yellow" trail on the official maps. Starting from the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station, it’s the most accessible from Tokyo. Most people pick this because it has the most mountain huts. It’s crowded. You will be hiking in a line of people like ants.
Then there’s the Fujinomiya Trail. This is the blue one. It’s shorter but steeper. It starts at a higher elevation on the Shizuoka side. If you look at a vertical profile map, you’ll see the incline is punishing. Your calves will scream. But, it offers a more direct shot to the summit if you’re short on time.
The Subashiri Trail (red) and Gotemba Trail (green) are the wildcards. Subashiri meets the Yoshida trail halfway up. Gotemba is the "suffer-fest." It starts at a much lower elevation. You’ll be hiking through volcanic scree (basically loose sand) for hours. It’s brutal, but the "Sunabashiri" descent allows you to literally run down the mountain in giant leaps through the ash.
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Why the Five Lakes Matter for Your View
Check the northern base of the mountain on your map. You'll see the Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko).
- Lake Kawaguchi: The tourist hub. Best infrastructure.
- Lake Yamanaka: The largest. Great for swan boat enthusiasts.
- Lake Saiko: Quieter, surrounded by Aokigahara forest.
- Lake Shoji: The smallest. Known for the "Cradling Fuji" view where a smaller mountain looks like it's being held by Fuji.
- Lake Motosu: This is the view on the 1,000 yen bill.
If your map of Mount Fuji doesn't include the orientation of these lakes, you’re going to miss the best photography spots. The reflection of the mountain in the water—Sakasa Fuji or Upside-down Fuji—only happens under very specific wind conditions on these northern shores.
The Aokigahara Forest and the Sea of Trees
Look just Northwest of the summit. That dense green patch is Aokigahara. It’s built on hardened lava from the 864 AD Jogan eruption.
The ground is porous. It absorbs sound. That’s why people say it’s eerily quiet. Some maps show walking trails through the "Sea of Trees," but you really shouldn't wander off the marked paths. Because the soil is rich in magnetic iron, traditional handheld compasses can actually go haywire. Modern GPS is usually fine, but the canopy is so thick that signal dropouts are common.
Understanding the "Stations"
When you look at a trail map of Mount Fuji, you’ll see numbers 1 through 10. These are the "Stations."
Most people start at the 5th Station. Why? Because that's where the roads end. In the old days, pilgrims started at the bottom (1st Station) at shrines like the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha. Walking from the 1st Station today is a lonely, forested, but spiritually rewarding experience that takes an entire extra day.
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The 10th Station is the summit. But wait—there’s a "real" summit. The highest point is actually the Kengamine peak near the weather station. You have to walk around the crater rim (called Ohachi-meguri) to get there. It takes about 90 minutes to circle the whole crater.
Seasonal Realities and Map Accuracy
Don't trust a summer map in the winter.
Between September and June, the trails are officially closed. The mountain huts are boarded up. The "map" essentially becomes a no-go zone for anyone who isn't a professional alpine climber. The wind speeds at the summit in January can exceed 100 miles per hour. It’s a different beast entirely.
The official climbing season is usually July to early September. If you go outside this window, the buses to the 5th stations stop running as frequently, or at all.
Logistics: Getting to the Map's Starting Points
Tokyo is the jump-off point. You have two main choices:
The Fuji Excursion train goes straight to Kawaguchiko. It's easy. Or, take the Highway Bus from Shinjuku. It’s cheaper.
If you’re heading to the Shizuoka side (Fujinomiya or Gotemba), you’ll likely take the Shinkansen to Mishima or Shin-Fuji station and then transfer to a local bus.
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Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
Stop looking at static images. Go to the Official Website for Mt. Fuji Climbing maintained by the Ministry of the Environment. They provide downloadable PDF maps that are updated annually with hut closures and rockfall warnings.
Check the live cameras at the Fujigoko TV website. A map can tell you where the mountain is, but it can't tell you if it's hidden behind a massive wall of clouds. Fuji is notoriously shy.
Download an offline map app like Yamap or AllTrails. Cell service is surprisingly decent on the Yoshida trail, but in the craters or on the Gotemba side, you’ll want those offline tiles.
Buy a "Kongozue"—a wooden hiking stick—at the 5th station. As you move up the map, you can get it branded with stamps at each station. It’s the best souvenir you’ll ever own.
Pack more water than you think. A liter of water at the 7th station costs about 500 yen ($3.50). You’re paying for the effort it took to haul that bottle up the mountain.
Finally, respect the mountain. Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano. It hasn't erupted since 1707, but the Japan Meteorological Agency monitors it 24/7. Always check the volcanic alert levels before you head out.