1

I confirm my statement before. Climbing season is July 1st to August 31st.
All I can say is that there is no heavy rain at the moment abd we can see Fuji-san from our balcony, so the air is not as humid as it used to be.

2

I climbed Fujisan last September 1tth under ideal conditions. Others who have attempted the climb in-season have had to turn back because of adverse conditions. There are really no guarantees. The http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Mount-Fuji/6day/top website was very useful in forecasting the condtions on the mountain.

Services, such as buses to the 5th station and mountain huts, are reduced out of season, but so are the crowds. Still, there are many people on the track into September, including guided groups.

It took us more than 10 hours to make the climb: about 8 up, and maybe 6 coming back down the same Yoshida track. Many people passed us, however, and I was going slow - especially on the descent, when I injured my foot ("hammer toe").

Many people climb via the Yoshida route and descend by way of Gotemba. This works fine if you are using buses. If you drive, however, you will end up on the other side of the mountain from your car unless you use two cars to shuttle between trailheads.

you can read the narrative of my trip, http://bigsushilittlefishes.wordpress.com/little-snail-slowly-slowly-climb-mount-fuji/ on my blog http://bigsushilittlefishes.wordpress.com/

My advice? Keep track of the weather, and if it looks promising go for it!

3

Climbing it just after the end of climbing season should be fine.

The first difficulty (chronologically speaking) with climbing out of season is that places are shut.
The second difficultly is that it is no longer a simple amble up and back and becomes a difficult and dangerous climb.

This site hasn't been updated for a long time, but it's an excellent read for Mt Fuji.

http://live-fuji.jp/fuji/scott/scott2-1.html

4

I just recently wrote about my experience from climbing on August 28th and 29th...

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2242590&messageID=20265570#20265570

I did meet a young Korean guy who said he climbed Mt. Fuji in February, in -35 C, without gear, food, water or experience via a trail he found cut into the snow (from 5th station) that didn't switch back and forth so that his entire ascent/descent only took 8 hours... (I personally had a hard time believing him after my experience the day before hearing his story.) He said he originally had no intention to climb, but the expensive, out of season, taxi ride to 5th station motivated him...

5

Specifically with your questions...

• Times are variable because you may choose more breaks for rest, photos, etc. Posted times are if you went straight through, no breaks. Free maps and time tables are handed out at 5th and 6th stations.
• Going on a different trail down means ending up on another side of Mt. Fuji, which may mean an expensive taxi ride back to your base, as much as $200! (unless you can find a bus, of course)
• The trail is very well marked. There are two trails that are the same on descent, until the original 8th station, where they split and you need to pay attention. I recall the Yoshida trail goes behind the hut.
• The season officially ends August 27th with a Fire Festival that starts on August 26th in Fujiyoshida. Out of season is anytime after that. I was told that huts (and toilets and shops) close down after September 15th.

No suggestions for Kawaguchiko walks from me...