UPDATE | April 01, 2022
What do you imagine when you hear "Japanese mountains"? After all it is "Mt. Fuji". This time, I would like to introduce information on climbing Mt. Fuji, Japanese mountain worship, and recommended scenic spots.
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What do you imagine when you hear "Japanese mountains"?
After all it is "Mt. Fuji".
Many people may have seen it when they got on the Shinkansen, but surprisingly few people have actually climbed it.
This time, I would like to introduce information on climbing Mt. Fuji, Japanese mountain worship, and recommended scenic spots.
First, let's check the Basic information of Mt. Fuji.
Mt. Fuji is a mountain located between Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures and is 3776 meters high.
It was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2013 because it is the highest mountain in Japan and is worshiped by people and highly artistic.
Snow is piled up on the top of the mountain all year round, and the calm appearance with a slight cloud is impressive, but in reality, Mt. Fuji is a volcano.
The beautiful appearance of Mt. Fuji today is a "natural art" created by erupting Mt. Fuji many times in the past and lava and other layers.
No active volcanic activity has been confirmed for about 300 years from the last eruption in 1700 to the present.
In addition, abundant resources such as groundwater and timber of Mt. Fuji have been used for agriculture and industry by people living in the surrounding area.
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A shrine was enshrined at the top of the mountain to stop the eruption, and worshipers began to climb Mt. Fuji to worship.
Currently, the number of people who climb as a religious belief has decreased, but climbers from all over Japan are visiting as a popular power spot.
The belief in worshiping mountains as sacred is called mountain worship.
Mountains occupy 70% of the land of Japan, and it is said that "mountains" have long been a place where the souls of deceased people rise, and are sacred places separated from the human world. Has been the object of worship.
Mountain worship is often found in mountainous areas around the world, but in Japan it has developed in a unique style, mixed with Shinto and Buddhism.
Shrines are often built on top of mountains like Mt. Fuji, and there are still many graveyards enshrined in the mountains.
Mountains have also been used as a training ground for Buddhism since ancient times. The practice of keeping a distance from the human world and paving the way for enlightenment is still inherited and practiced at the sacred mountains and local shrines and temples throughout Japan.
By the way, can Mt. Fuji be climbed in any season?
In fact, the mountain trail of Mt. Fuji is open to the public only for about two months from the beginning of July to the beginning of September.
Climbing Mt. Fuji other than this time is dangerous, so don't do it. Especially in winter, it is so dangerous that even experienced people may die.
There are several ways to climb Mt. Fuji.
It is really difficult to walk up from the bottom to the top of the mountain, so it is common to drive to the 5th station (intermediate point) of Mt. Fuji and start climbing from there.
There are four mountaineering routes, the most popular "Yoshida route" for beginners (Yamanashi prefecture side), the "Subashiri route" for experienced mountaineers, and the long course "Gotemba". Each has its own characteristics: the "Gotemba route" and the "Fujinomiya route" (Shizuoka prefecture side), which has the shortest distance to the summit.
Actually, when I was a university student, I participated in a mountain climbing tour of Mt. Fuji with my friends and climbed to the top of the mountain.
If you are a beginner, it is safest to take a tour with a guide.
It is not so hard to actually walk up a mountain road, but the closer you get to the top of the mountain, the thinner the oxygen becomes, and "altitude sickness" (headache, nausea, and other symptoms caused by low oxygen). ) And my head was fluttering.
Still, the view from the top of the mountain at the moment when the rising sun rises is really amazing, and I still can't forget it.
For those who are not satisfied with just climbing, we recommend the "Ohachi Meguri" course, which goes around the crater from the top of the mountain. You can see the crater up close and it's powerful.
After descending to the 5th station, take a leisurely bath in the hot springs to rest your exhausted body.
Finally, I would like to introduce some spectacular spots where you can see Mt. Fuji beautifully.
Where is it?⇒Click here for the map
It is the second largest lake of the Fuji Five Lakes (five lakes on Mt. Fuji) and is a popular spot for tourists as it has a campsite and a hot spring town. You can take a picture of Mt. Fuji with "upside-down Fuji" reflected in the lake, cherry blossoms in spring, and autumn leaves in autumn.
It's a luxurious time to see Mt. Fuji while enjoying fishing and cycling slowly by the lake.
Even those who cannot reach the summit of Mt. Fuji can enjoy a simple hike.
The nearest station is Fujikyuko Line "Kawaguchiko" station, but there are also buses from Shizuoka station.
Where is it?⇒Click here for the map
This is a park in a hill called "Arakurayama" at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
From the lookout point, you can see the beautiful Mt. Fuji that is well-balanced from side to side.
The recommended shooting spot is the place where you can take pictures of the five-storied pagoda and Mt. Fuji together in the park. It seems that the overseas tourists who visited have praised it as if it were a collaboration between Kyoto and Mt. Fuji.
It's a gentle hiking course, so it's a good idea to eat lunch while looking at Mt. Fuji at the top.
It is about a 20-minute walk from "Shimoyoshida" station on the Fujikyuko line.
Where is it?⇒Click here for the map
The last is the symbol "Kintorii" of Fujiyoshida City. The torii gate, which stands across the road, was once the entrance to the religious world of Mt. Fuji and served as a "borderline" with the human world.
Shops and houses are lined up behind the torii gate, and the view of Mt. Fuji spreads far beyond that.
Mt. Fuji, which you can see along with the scenery of the lives of the locals, is a precious view that cannot be experienced anywhere else.
There are shopping streets and accommodations nearby, so it's a good idea to stay for a few days and experience living under Mt. Fuji.
The Kintorii and the shopping district are just a short walk from "Mt. Fuji" station on the Fujikyu line.
How was it?
The photos and the view of Mt. Fuji from the Shinkansen window are wonderful, but if you actually look at it up close, you should be able to feel the power of Mt. Fuji.
If you have a time to visit Japan between July and September, please try climbing Mt. Fuji.
A freelance Japanese teacher and local guide from Osaka. I fell in love with Kyoto in 2020 and moved to 2021. Currently, while teaching Japanese mainly in private lessons, he plans and manages writing, Chinese-Japanese translation proofreading, and online experiences.
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