Gadling

There is only another week or so left in the Fuji climbing season…

While most of you probably won’t get the chance to scale Japan’s most iconic peak this summer, fret not as there’s always next year! In the meantime however, here is a list of fun facts about Mount Fuji (????, Fuji-san) to get you excited about the climb…

Did you know?

– The Japanese characters for Fuji, ?? and ?, mean ‘wealth’ or ‘abundance’ and ‘a man with a high status,’ respectively.

– Every summer, more than 200,000 people climb to the top of Fuji. Some years, about a quarter of all of the climbers on the mountain are foreign residents and tourists.

– In the Japanese language, there is a dedicated word that describes the sunrise at the top of Fuji, namely goraiko (?????).

– The summit of Fuji is high enough to induce altitude sickness (??????, kouzanbyou), though it’s possible to buy bottles of oxygen along the climbing route.

The list goes on, so keep reading!

Did you know?

– Mount Fuji has been regarded by the Japanese as a sacred moumtain since the earliest recorded history on the archipelago.

– An anonymous monk first reached the summit of the mountain in 663. However, it was forbidden for women to climb until the Meiji Era (1868-1912).

– The first ascent of Fuji by a foreigner was in 1860 by Sir Rutherford Alcock, the first British diplomatic representative in Japan.

– Gotemba 5th Station, located between Subashiri and Houei-zan peak on the south side of the mountain, is one of Japan’s most famous take-off spots for paragliding.

– In feudal times, the town of Gotemba was used by the samurai as a remote wilderness training camp.

– Fuji is an active volcano, though it is classified as having a low risk of eruption. The last recorded eruption started on December 16, 1707, and ended on New Year’s Day of 1708.

– Fuji’s eruption during the Edo Period is known as the ‘The Great Houei Eruption,’ which resulted in cinder and ash raining down across the surrounding countryside.

– Mount Fuji is located at the point where the Eurasian Plate meets the Okhotsk and Philippine Plates (think lots and lots of earthquakes!).

– The forest at the base of Fuji, which is known as Aokigahara (青木ヶ原), is reported to be the world’s second most popular suicide location after the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

– In the ancient days of Japan, people believed that Aokigahara was haunted by evil demons. Poor families used the forest as a place of abandonment for the very young and the very old.

– While long lines occasionally form near the summit along the Kawaguchiko route, the Yoshida route is so remote that bears are occasionally spotted by hikers.

Want some tips for climbing Fuji, Japan’s most iconic mountain peak? Check out this past Wednesday’s installment of Big in Japan, entitled ‘How to Climb Mount Fuji.’

** Special thanks to my climbing partners! From left to right: Kei-chan, me, Tomori and Will-san **

There is only another week or so left in the Fuji climbing season…

If you’re living or traveling in Japan, and you haven’t yet climbed the country’s most famous peak, get to it!! And of course, if you happen to need a little inspiration for the 12,388 foot (3776 meter) climb, then hopefully today’s Big in Japan will fit the bill.

There are few images more iconic of Japan than Mount Fuji (????, Fuji-san), the country’s highest mountain, which also happens to be a near-perfect volcanic cone. In a country obsessed with order and harmony, Fuji is a natural manifestation of Japanese ideals.

Straddling the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, Fuji is located just west of Tokyo, and is visible from the city on a clear day. Considering that the mountain is within easy striking distance of the world’s largest megalopolis, it should come as no surprise that Fuji attracts legions of would-be climbers every summer.

While you certainly need to be in reasonable shape to attempt a summit of the mountain, you needn’t be a professional climber. Want more info? Keep on reading (^_^)

The official climbing season for Fuji runs from July 1st to the end of August. Although the snowcap is absent during this time, you still need to be prepared for subzero temperatures at the summit.

Dressing in layers is a good idea, as is bringing along a hat and gloves. While you don’t need technical equipment to make it to the top, good hiking shoes are a must, as is a reliable flashlight (torch).

If you’re coming from Tokyo, JR Highway Buses depart from the bus terminal outside of Shinjuku Station West Exit (新宿西口), arriving at Kawaguchiko 5th Station (河口湖五合目). While there are many routes up to the summit, the Kawaguchi route is the most popular since it has ample places to eat, drink and rest along the way.

Indeed, this is Japan, so you shouldn’t expect a true wilderness experience. On the contrary, there are actually ramen shops, vending machines and souvenir stalls at the summit! However, half the fun of the climb is slurping down a hot Cup o’ Noodle with other climbers, and there really is nothing quite like the taste of ramen at altitude.

With that said, don’t underestimate the difficulty of the climb. Tradition dictates that you must watch sunrise (御来光, goraiko) from the summit, so you will need to set out from Kawaguchko 5th Station around 8 or 9pm, and climb straight through the night. While times vary, the ascent takes on average 4-8 hours, and the descent another 2-4 hours.

Want to learn more about Mount Fuji, Japan’s most iconic image? Check out Thursday’s installment of Big in Japan for ‘Fun Facts about Mount Fuji.’

** All images were taken by yours truly, which is proof that we here at Gadling actually do visit the places that we write about!! **