Visit Japan Web Gotemba Trail
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore the Gotemba Trail, the most rustic and least crowded trail on Mount Fuji. It is located on the southeastern side of the mountain, and consists of just a small shop that sells snacks and souvenirs, a bus stop and a parking lot. There is no accommodation or restaurant at this station, so visitors should bring their own food and water.
At only 1400 meters above sea level, the Gotemba Trail is also by far the lowest of the trails, and as a consequence, the Gotemba Trail is the longest and most challenging trail to the summit. The ascent takes about 7-10 hours and travels along an exposed and windy trail. There are only a few mountain huts at the 7th and 8th stations. Climbers can rest, eat and sleep here. The trail is also less maintained and marked than the other trails. So climbers should be careful not to lose their way.
On the other hand, the terrain becomes an advantage during the descent from the summit. Osunabashiri is a wide, straight path covered in loose lava gravel where you can literally run down a third of the mountain. By taking great leaping strides, you can cover in minutes distances that took hours to hike up. However, this section can also be dangerous. Because the gravel can cause slips and falls and the dust can irritate your eyes and lungs. Therefore, visitors should wear protective gear such as goggles, masks and gloves and to be mindful of other climbers.
