Climbing Mt. Fuji with Kids - Subashiri Trail

I took my little brother, and 8 & 6 year old sons for a 2-day hike up Mount Fuji.
We drove 2 hours from the outer-tokyo area to get to the Michinoeki Subashiri Road Station, where buses take you to the 5th station during climbing season.
Parking was free, but it cost about ¥2000 and took 30-minutes for the bus ride.
Something to keep in mind is there is no running water on Mt. Fuji, so you have to pay for water and even to use the bathroom. And its gets more expensive the higher you go up.
I remember paying ¥2000 last time to fill-up my camelbak, so this time, cheapskate that I am, I carried ~9L/2gallons of water with me… it was heavy but worth it I think.
8 year ago I climbed Fuji with my wife, I had taken the very popular Yoshida trail, so this time I decided to take the Subashiri trail
I’m glad I did, I thought it was so much more interesting, with trees and changing landscapes, I remember the yoshida just being never-ending bland lava rocks the whole way up.
The Yoshida trail does have a lot more mountain huts where you can buy food, water, and toilet use. But I liked that the Subashiri trail has only 1/7th of the amount of people.
We got to the 5th station at 12:30 in the afternoon, and reached the 6th station at 2:00pm, original 6th station at 2:30pm, 7th station at 4:15pm, and original 7th station at 5:00pm.
We stayed at the Miharashikan Mountain Hut on the 7th station (¥10,000 per person with dinner and breakfast).
Ate Dinner, went to bed around 7pm, and woke up at 2am.
Shoulder to Shoulder sleeping Bags in the Hut.
Departing the original 7th station at 2:15am wearing all the layers we had (even August is very cold), we reached the 8th station at 3:30am, then the original 8th station at 4:00am
By 4:20 we had reached a line to the summit. If there was no line, it would have taken us just 15 minutes more to reach the summit, but it took triple the amount of time because of the slow line.
Finally summited at 5:05, enjoyed the sunrise for a few minutes, then got a piping hot bowl of ramen ¥1000.
The descent is a different trail than the ascent and there is a lot of loose dirt that you kind of have to skip/run down. Lots of dirt will get in your shoe, my advice is embrace it and enjoy the ride!
Links:
* Mt Fuji Driving Directions: www.fujisan-cl...
* Subashiri Trail Parking & Bus-Stop if Driving: goo.gl/maps/kV...
* Miharashikan Mountain Hut: www.fujimounta...

[@teacherjenica]

I'm planning to climb this August but when I checked the Japan mountain huts website, the only huts available are at the 6th and 5th station. Are there huts at the 7th station that don't need a reservation? The Setokan, Taiyokan, and Miharashikan huts are all fully booked. I wouldn't want to hike in the dark for too long just to get to the summit by sunrise so I prefer staying at the 7th station but there's none available. I'm also hesitant with booking because I want to be flexible and check the weather first at least a week before I decide to climb. I wouldn't want to climb when it's raining and all I see is fog. Any tips?

[@sumanmajumder9303]

Hey do you have any problem now after acl reconstruction and Meniscus repair?

[@Famvestor]

Yea still gets tight here and there but overall about 95%. Still takes a while to touch ankle to butt.

[@cheyennebates5961]

Loved this video! Exactly what I was looking for, were debating on bringing our son (5 yr going on 6) did your boys have any issues with altitude sickness? I know you said they hike with you often but this would be our little dude's highest peak we've taken him on and wanted a little insight.

[@Famvestor]

Hmm no I don’t think altitude sickness was an issue. I had a slight headache from it, but they didn’t complain about it. Just make sure they drink a lot of water!

[@Zeroreasonss]

When you tore your right acl how long until you could drive again ?

[@Famvestor]

I feel like I waited 2 weeks but not really recalling. It’s not a ton of pressure to push down on the gas. And au wasn’t on pain killers.

[@variousvisfineart]

That would be an adventure. Watching the sun come up would be the best part.

[@Famvestor]

It was awesome, a Japanese tradition.

[@subhamrai9963]

Hello.. good to see you again... By looking ua activities and all , I think you got into 100% normal earlier than your acl surgery... I just want to know, did u went to Sports rehab to do running, jumping and all?? Or how did u earn those things coj am afraid to do those things which was normal for me before acl injury or surgery..

[@Famvestor]

I did PT for 6-months, but things dont really go back to normal untill about the 2-year mark. Youll just have to slowly ease into things. I did not do any sportscoaching, but continue to do exercises to strenghten my knees.

[@jaketruong6598]

Hi Sunny, I've been watching your surgery journey, and I'm glad you're doing well. I'm 23, but I also recently had my 2nd ACL done. One thing I am worried about is knee arthritis when I'm older. Can you share if you see any symptoms of it or what you do to prevent it, given that you are still maintaining a very active lifestyle? Thank you very much!

[@Famvestor]

Hey I am worried about that too. No synptoms yet. But my right knee is only 4 years old. And left knee 2 years old. And I am only 33. I hope I never get symptoms but wouldn’t expect it for at least another couple decades. And hopefully we will have bionic knee options by that point.

[@luckyayesha4822]

How is your knee bro after 3 years of acl surgery? Is it fiber tape internal brace surgery?

[@Famvestor]

Not sure I had a hamstring graft.

[@luckyayesha4822]

@@Famvestor do you have pain ?