Mt. Fuji Pilgrimage - Day 1 (9/8/25)

Описание: Our initial plan focused solely on the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage. However, with some vacation time still remaining, Yus suggested adding a day hike to the Mt. Fuji summit, a proposition I immediately accepted. This idea felt fitting, as the earliest climbers of Mt. Fuji were pilgrims (Fujikō), who viewed the ascent as a spiritual journey and an act of purification. Having just achieved our dual pilgrim status on the Kumano Kodo, we now embark on this third, symbolic pilgrimage to Mt. Fuji.
As I researched routes, I successfully secured an overnight reservation at a mountain hut at the 7th Station. I proposed to Yus that we extend the trip to a two-day hike to witness the iconic Mt. Fuji sunrise, and he readily agreed. Further research revealed that the traditional pilgrimage route began at the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine at the mountain’s base, in contrast to the modern practice of taking a bus to the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. With our plan now spanning two days, I suggested to Yus that we follow the traditional path from the shrine. Though online information was scarce, I mapped the route and estimated that this addition would turn the three-hour climb (from the 5th to the 7th Station) into a nine-hour day, including rest and meal stops.
Here is the timeline with distance and elevation for our first day's climb on the traditional route:

6:43am (Kawaguchiko Train & Bus Station)
7:33am 0km 848m (Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine)
7:47am 0.6km 874m (Mt. Fuji Yoshida Trail Starting Point)
8:44am 4.5km 1,050m (Nakano Chaya Tea House)
9:22am 7.1km 1,270m (Oishi Chaya Tea House)
9:51am 8.5km 1,435m (Umagaeshi)
9:58am 8.6km 1,450m (Daimonzi-Ya)
10:16am 8.7km 1,458m (Fujisan Misogi-Jo)
10:25am 9.1km 1,520m (1st Station Suzuhara Shrine)
10:57am 10.3km 1,700m (2nd Station Omuro Sengen Shrine)
11:16am 11km 1,840m (3rd Station Sangen Chaya)
11:41am 11.9km 1,973m (4th Station Daikokuten)
11:53am 12.3km 2,043m (4.5th Station Goshaishi)
12:09pm 12.9km 2,140m (5th Station Chūgū)
12:13pm 13.1km 2,160m (5th Station Tabako-Ya)
12:16pm 13.2km 2,160m (5th Station Fudo-Koya)
12:36pm 13.7km 2,230m (5th Station Sato-Goya Hut)
1:19pm 13.9km 2,230m (Komitake-Michi Junction)
1:21pm 14km 2,230m (6th Station Satomidaira Seikanso Hut)
1:29pm 14.4km 2,295m (6th Station Kyogatake)
1:46pm 15km 2,392m (6th Station Sunafurui)
2:37pm 16.5km 2,700m (7th Station Hanagoya Hut)
2:42pm 16.7km 2,720m (7th Station Hinodekan Hut)
2:48pm 16.8km 2,740m (7th Station Tomoekan Hut)

Upon reaching our hut, we immediately checked in and inquired about transferring to the Tomoekan at the 8th Station, but unfortunately, it was fully booked. We settled into our reserved lower bunk room at the 7th Station. Given the high-altitude constraints, there was no running water available for bathing or washing clothes. I used the provided hangers, hoping my damp clothes would dry overnight. Due to the limited tables, dinner was served in batches. Ours was scheduled for 4:30 PM. While waiting for dinner, I put on my thick jacket and went outside to enjoy the views and take pictures. Although the hut offered free Wi-Fi, the connection was extremely slow, and mobile data service was unreliable. We set our alarms for 3 AM to begin our final ascent and fell asleep around 8 PM.

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