The iconic peak of Mount Fuji has long captured the imagination of poets, painters and climbers alike.

Climbing its towering heights may seem daunting, but even inexperienced hikers can reach its summit and see the breathtaking and captivating panoramic views.

Here's all the information you need to get to the most famous landmarks in Japan.

Mount Fuji, the eternal symbol of Japan

View the sunrise from the top of Mount Fuji

At 3,776 metres (12,388 feet), Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan.

It takes an average of 8-10 hours to climb the mountain, so it is possible to reach the summit in one day if you start early.

However, one of the most magical parts of climbing Fuji is the chance to watch the sunrise from the summit.

This is known as goraiko in Japanese, and is what most climbers aim for.

The changeable weather also means that the view is not guaranteed to be cloud-free, but if you are lucky enough, you will be treated to one of the most beautiful views ever.

Mount Fuji

sunrise and mountain top

Mountain huts in Fuji

Mountain huts are like small rest stops scattered along hiking trails.

To stay in one place, you will need to reserve a spot before you go up.

Many of the cabins can also be booked online in various languages, and will provide you with a sleeping bag for the night, dinner and breakfast if you need to stay.

But be aware that this will be very expensive, so it is highly recommended to get everything you need before you start climbing to the top.

Mountain huts in Fuji

How hard is it to climb this mountain?

Climbing Fuji is not a climb in the strictest sense of the word, so you don't need a lot of climbing skills to reach the top.

But the main challenges are the length of the climb, the steep and rocky terrain, and the altitude.

So, make sure to take regular breaks during your ascent, this is also important to help you acclimatize to the higher altitude.

Altitude sickness – caused by low levels of oxygen in the air – can be debilitating, with symptoms including shortness of breath, headaches and nausea.

So try to keep yourself hydrated and don't rush and rush to the top.

Mount Fuji

mountain climbing

Guides and Tours

Unlike many other famous peaks in the world, it is perfectly fine to climb Fuji without a guide.

However, if you don't feel confident about handling it on your own,

Or if you'd rather simply leave the organizing to someone else – you can hire a guide or join one of the many tours that take tourists to the summit.

Climb to the top alone if you want.

A picturesque city on the mountainside

Kawaguchi City is the best place to choose as a base if you want to climb the mountain.

This picturesque town overlooks the lake of the same name at the foot of the mountain on the northern side.

It is filled with shops, restaurants and a wide range of tourist attractions to explore.

Regular buses also run from the train stations to Subaru Line 5th Station, where you can enjoy a quick meal and acclimatize to the altitude before setting off.

Kawaguchi City and Lake

How to get to Mount Fuji

Tokyo residents can take a direct bus to Kawaguchiko, which will take about two hours and cost around 2,000 yen.

For those coming from Kyoto or Osaka, the cheapest way to get to Kawaguchiko is by overnight express bus.

 The trip takes about 9-11 hours, and costs about 16,000 yen.

For a faster but more expensive trip, take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Mishima Station, where a bus will take you the rest of the way.

Mount Fuji

Great shot of this special mountain.

Information about the mountain and its lakes

The mountain was formed over the past 2.6 million years on a base dating back up to 65 million years.

Its base has a circumference of about 78 miles (125 km) and a diameter of 25 to 30 miles (40 to 50 km).

At the summit of Mount Fuji, the surface is 500 meters (1,640 feet) in diameter, and the crater is about 820 feet (250 meters) deep.

Around the jagged edges of the crater are eight peaks – Oshidake, Izudake, Gojodake, Komagatake, Moshimatake, Kenjamin, Hokusandake, and Kusushidake.

The mountain also has five lakes, or what is called (Fuji Juko), and they consist from east to west,Lake Yamanaka, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Sai, Lake Shoji, and Lake Motosu.

All of which were formed by the effects of previous lava flows.

Tourism in the area is very prosperous, especially with Lake Yamanaka, the largest of the lakes (2.5 square miles [6.4 square kilometres]), being the centre of the most popular resort area.

There are five lakes around the mountain.