Ruta Yoshida

**Mountain hut reservation:** Huts fill completely on weekends and peak season (mid-July to mid-August). Reserve 2–3 months in advance through each hut's website or hotel concierge. The most comfortable huts are Taishikan (8th Station, ¥10,000) and Fujisan Hotel (8th Station, ¥9,500). Budget huts provide a sleeping space 50cm wide per person. **Optimal timing strategy:** Avoid weekends and the Obon holiday week (mid-August). Weekday climbs in early September offer the best balance of weather stability, reduced crowds, and open facilities. The summit sunrise (goraiko) occurs around 4:30–5:00am in summer — time your 8th Station departure for 2:30–3:00am to reach the summit 30 minutes before sunrise. **Altitude sickness prevention:** The ascent from 5th Station (2,305m) to summit (3,776m) is rapid — spend 1–2 hours acclimatizing at the 5th Station before starting. Climb slowly (rest 5 minutes every 30 minutes). Hydrate continuously (2–3L water minimum). Diamox (acetazolamide) taken 24 hours before ascent reduces symptoms significantly. **Gear essentials:** Temperatures at the summit range 0–5°C even in summer; factor in wind chill. Required: layered clothing, rain jacket, gloves, headlamp with spare batteries, trekking poles, cash (huts and toilets are cash-only, ¥300 per use). The volcanic scree descent destroys shoes — wear dedicated hiking boots you don't value.