While climbing Mt. Fuji is understandably on most people’s bucket list, having done it twice myself I actually wouldn’t recommend it as a hike. It’s really quite boring. It’s just a long slog up a volcano. A much more interesting and varied hike that starts from the same place but veers around the slope of Mt. Fuji is the Ochu-do (御中道) trail.
Turning right out of the Fuji 5th Station the trail quickly becomes like something out of Lord of the Rings:
Then, after walking through the trees for a while it opens onto the side of the volcano, with crushed volcanic rock under foot and views of the peak above:
There is a small torii gate along the way:
Continuing along the way for a bit the trail crosses Route 707 and becomes the Okuniwa (奥庭) trail:
This trail goes in a short loop back and has amazing views at the top of a sea of clouds:
From there, you cross over Route 707 again and back into Middle Earth:
Some lichen growing on the volcanic rock:
After which it is just a matter of retracing your steps back to the start of the trail:
If you cross over the 5th Station and go down the Fuji Yoshida trail a short way you get some great views of the mountain:
I recommend staying the night at Sato-goya if it’s open as it is a good base to set off on the trail down to the 1st Station and for a sunset that is unforgettable:
Travels on a Small Island 2 