Departing from the Gotemba Trail New Fifth Station, the route stretches Mt. Fuji’s southeast side from Gotemba City to the summit.

Because of the vast difference in altitude between the trailhead and the summit and the long-distance, it’s a trail more suitable for people who are used to climbing. Among Mt. Fuji’s four routes, it has the fewest climbers, making it a quiet ascent.

Altitude: 1440m
Round trip distance: about 19 km (about 10.5 km up, about 8.4 km down)
Approximate climbing time: about 7 hours up, about 3 hours down

Another characteristic of the trail is that there are fewer huts, toilets, and buildings along the way compared to Mt. Fuji’s other three trails.

Found near Gotemba Trail New Fifth Station, you get to the trailhead by passing through the torii gate next to the “Half Mountain” shop.

After walking for about 10 minutes, you’ll arrive at the Oishi Chaya dining hut. The Futatsuzuka and Makuiwa Trails also begin near Oishi Chaya, and there, the sloping road of volcanic gravel continues upward.

It’s important to note that the Gotemba Trail has no huts or toilets until the Seventh Station, so be sure to take precautions to avoid emergencies halfway up the mountain.

After passing the “evacuation hut,” you will come to the Sixth Station. From there, you can take a side trip to the Hoei Crater, and from the crater, you can also reach the Fujinomiya Trail.

At the Eighth Station, the terrain becomes steep and rocky, so watch your step. When you pass through the next torii gate, you will have reached the summit!

The descending trail follows the same route as the ascending trail until the Seventh Station. After passing the closed Hinodekan hut, follow the separate descending trail.

After the intersection of the descending trail and the trail to the Hoei Crater at the Sixth Station, you will arrive at the “Osunabashiri” (“Great Sand Run”) section of the route. Be careful as this area tends to be foggy, and it’s easy to get lost since there are few landmarks. After passing Oishi Chaya again, you’ll arrive back at the Gotemba Trail New Fifth Station.

The uphill Gotemba Trail is difficult, but the Great Sand Run makes the downhill journey easy.

Because of the lack of toilets or mountain huts until the Seventh Station, so be sure you’re aware of their location and plan well.

Public toilets
Can be used 24 hours a day. Stopping here is recommended.

Gotemba Trail New Fifth Station Temporary Tourist Information Center (Trail Station)
A Fuji Navigator is stationed here.

Small shop
The only shop at the New Fifth Station is called Half Mountain and has vending machines.

Mountain huts
The trail has fewer huts than other routes. Here are the resting places:
7.4th Station: Warajikan
7.5th Station: Sunabashirikan
7.9th Station: Akaiwa Hachigokan

Small indoor toilet

The Gotemba Trail is contrasted by its strenuous, advanced climber-friendly ascent and its fast descent. Because of the lack of rest areas and the severity of the trail, the it is recommended those who are confident in their physical ability to make the climb.