HUT ETIQUETTE
Huts on Mt. Fuji come with a unique cultural experience. Before you set out on your hike, read the tips below for a smooth integration with Japanese norms. Thank you and have a great climb!
DO
- Start your hike from the 5th station at a reasonable time. Leave the trail head around 11 am for 8th station accommodation and around 1 pm for 7th station accommodation.
- Assess your your hiking experience, fitness, and hut destination. It may take five to six hours if headed toward the 8th Station.
- Arrive at your hut at a reasonable time (5-7pm depending on your hut). Most huts do not serve dinner past 8pm.
- Pay careful attention to where you should take off your shoes. It is common in Japan to take off your shoes before entering indoors. Look around. Is there a shoe rack, slippers, raised entry? These are indicators that you should take your shoes off. If you are unsure, ask an employee. Walking into a "no shoes" area with shoe's on is a quick way to get yelled at by the staff. Pay attention to stay out of trouble!
DON'T
- Please don’t arrive past 7pm. Some huts may require you to arrive earlier. Each hut listed on our website has a note on check in time frame. Most huts do not serve food beyond 8pm and other guests are most likely asleep for their early morning start. Sleeping quarters are tight and you don’t want to wake them up!
- Match your speaking volume to your surroundings. Mountain huts (and Japanese culture at large) expects everyone to match the volume of the people around you. Being "too loud" is a relative measure against other people. Set your "TV Antenna" to "Japanese" by being conscientious and matching the volume level of your surroundings. This is especially appreciated in the cramped quarters of a mountain hut.
- Mountain huts have limited common space so you may need to get out of the common space to make room for others. If you notice the common space (dining room) is filling up, you'll need to move into the sleeping area to make space for more people if you're done with your meal. These huts are emergency shelters and can't accommodate everyone in the common area. If you linger too long, the staff may politely ask you to move into the sleeping room.
