Visiting Mount Fuji, Japan

If you are ever in Japan during the summer months (July through September) I hope you have the opportunity to visit Mt. Fuji.  And if you have a day and are in good shape, you may even try to climb the mountain.    Mt. Fuji is considered a sacred mountain in Japan, perhaps more in the past than recent history.  But many thousands of Japanese and foreign tourists still make the annual pilgrimage to Mt. Fuji and make the climb.  I was inspired on my climb by witnessing a man over 80 years old, slowly climbing and shuffling to the top.

On the way to Mt Fuji, Japan

If you do have a chance to climb Mt. Fuji, do not take it for granted.  Although the mountain is only 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) high, the climb is full of switchbacks with rocky, volcanic terrain the entire way up.  This is not like mountain climbing per se, but rather a lengthy and well traveled rocky trail that leads right to the top of the mountain.  Once on top, you can walk around the volcano’s caldera, and smell sulphurous fumes.  There is even a small restaurant, telephone and post office on the top of the mountain, and many fellow climbers wandering about.

If you’re lucky enough to climb on clear day, you may see all the way to Tokyo, and out over the Pacific Ocean.  But there is an even better climb if you dare to take a chance!  You can travel to Mt. Fuji during the day and prepare for wonderful night climb!  Climbing at night begins around 9:00 pm, and at a steady pace you will reach the top between 1:00 am and 3:00 am. 

Why climb at night you ask?  For two reasons.  First, the night climb itself is incredible.  Stumbling up the rocky path with flashlight in hand, you also can purchase a walking stick with small bells and have it “branded” by various “stations” along the way. If you make it to the top, you will have many burned symbols for each station you have passed.   It’s amazing to stand on the trail at night, listening to the “tinkling” sound of hundreds of hikers climbing up the mountain.  And you look down to see a long, snaking trail dotted with the flashlights of others.  Then you look out if fortunate to have a clear night, and see the expanse of the lights of Tokyo far in the distace, shadowed to the east by the mighty Pacific Ocean.

And once you arrive on top after climbing through the night (hopefully bringing a warm coat or sleeping bag), you find yourself in the mountain’s cold embrace while awaiting the dawn.  It is a wonderful tradition to be seated on the rim of Mt. Fuji at dawn and to see, of course, the rising sun.    This experience is almost magical, depending on how clear the summit is of clouds, and presents you with a wonderful view of the surrounding terrain. 

But there’s a second part of this experience: If you are fortunate to have a clear night and morning, then as the sun rises above the Pacific Ocean, you may yell “Banzai! Banzai!” to greet the day and celebrate long life and happiness.   To stand on the top of Mt. Fuji, yelling toward the rising sun with unbridled enthusiasm, and joining the chorus of other climbers is an amazing lifetime experience.

And then you begin the long journey down the mountain, not too difficult, but a workout for the legs.  It’s only a few hours, and then you are off again on your journey to new sights.  Afterwards you will understand the fabled words,  “A wise man climbs Mt. Fuji once, but only a fool climbs Mt. Fuji twice.”

When visiting the Mt. Fuji region, you don’t have to be a climber. There are many beautiful sites to see around Mt. Fuji.  Both the Fuji Five Lakes region and the Hakone hot springs and national park are worth visiting.  The scenery is amazing, and after staying in the metropolis of Tokyo it’s hard to recognize being in Japan in such a beautiful, rural area.

Tags: Japan