[Sangetsu]

If you want to climb Fuji-zan outside the July/August season all you'll find in your way is a chain about 1 meter above the path with a sign hanging from it saying "Do not enter". What most people do is step over this chain and climb anyway.

You can see Mt Fuji from many places, but the best views are usually from around Ashi no ko (Lake Ashi) in Hakone. You can get there from Odawara station on the Tokaido line (or Shinkansen). You can take a bus from Odawara station which will take you to the lake, and from the lakeside you can take a large boat to cross to the other side. Or you can rent a small pedal-powered boat at either end of the lake.

If you cross the lake, take the ropeway (cable tram) up into the mountains and check out the hot springs.