The reality of transport to Mt Fuji in winter

There is a misconception that there are taxis up Mt Fuji in winter. This is a mix of lack of information, bad information and misunderstanding, and we have assisted more than enough people who have found out the hard way.

From Kawaguchiko it is clear to see that Mt Fuji in winter is 3800m of towering snow and rock, yet the thought that taxis cannot drive there that does not occur to some. Taxis do not drive anywhere on Mt Fuji in the winter months of December, January, February and March.

Whilst our other trips we can meet using taxis at trailheads, and even in Tibet we can use hired cars to over 4000m, on Mt Fuji the snow and cold means all vehicles are limited in where they will go.

The myth about taxis up Mt Fuji in winter comes from combining the situation in summer, and that taxis may take climbers to the trailhead at the end of the road. The reality is that roads are usually iced over so the taxis cannot get close, and that only cars equipped for mountain roads will even try.

More than one missing climber was last seen by a taxi driver, making them reluctant to take people for concern over being involved.

Taxis may or may not respond to calls to be picked up from trailheads, due to demand, time and problems around access. Most will go no further than the end of the cleared roads which can still be kilometers from the trail, which still takes 30mins to get to from town.