Originally Posted by
JimC
*BUMP*
I will be in Tokyo the first week of October. I understand this is the end of the shoulder season for climbing Mt. Fuji. So reaching the summit is probably completely out, or?
If the climb is very boring, would it still be worth a day trip and partial climb, even that time of year? I can live with the disappointment of not getting to the summit.
I'm not aware of any "shoulder" season. Ordinary folk tend to climb during the official season. Once the season officially ends (at the end of Aug), everything above the Fifth Station closes down.
In October, you can drive as far as the Fifth Station (about half way up the mountain). Beyond that, the moutain will be unpatrolled. Experienced climbers can climb all the way to the summit in all seasons -- at their own risk.
If you're not an experienced climber, you'd be better off walking in the hills around the Fuji Five Lakes. IMHO, the experiece is more rewarding - better views (i.e. you will see Fuji instead of being on Fuji), better walking conditions, pretty foliage etc.