I first climbed Fujiyama as a foreign student at Waseda University in 1969. This was with our mountain climbing club at school: Being Swiss I was "coaxed " into wearing my lederhosen, which the girls encountered on the climb thought was really cool. The commemorative summit pin is still proudly on my feldjaeger hat.

I first dormed at school, then briefly with a family, and finally had my own enormous 6 tatami-sized flat in Shinjuku. The bus from Shinjuku was then, and still is the best way to get to the foot of the mountain. I've since climbed 11 times during business trips and a few school reunions, and encountered what I would consider Alpine weather about half of the time. It can also be dusty, yes, you can take a small rucksack with 1L. water, something to layer with for cold, rain, or sleet, and a few band-aids for others with sore feet.

I have bandaged fellow hikers with cuts and twisted ankles, and carried one lady down with a fracture. A few hikers encountered were quite elderly, but everyone jumped in to help if anyone had a problem. No ice-axe needed ever, but a folding hiking staff is a good idea.

Try and get into shape first by walking, especially uphill. The custom as mentioned is to summit for the sunrise, but heading down at sunset (if you carry a torch or headlight) is just as memorable. Be sure and bring that camera along too !