The start of our hike up Mount Fuji
When plans were made to climb Mount Fuji, we decided to hike the entire Yoshida Trail starting at the base of the mountain. To save about 6-8 hours of hiking, most drive up and begin their climb at what is known as the Subaru 5th Station with an elevation of 7560' (2305m). That is where I started from when I last did this hike in 1997.
The starting point of the ancient Yoshida Trail is at the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja and is at 2399' (731m). At the start of the Edo Period (17th Century), people would begin their mountain pilgrimage at this shrine. They would worship Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mount Fuji and all volcanoes. Her name means "cherry tree blossom blooming princess." She is the daughter of Ōyamazumi, a god who rules mountain, sea, and war.
It was a beautiful and tranquil place to start our journey.
