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Mt. Fuji – A Spiritual and Cultural Symbol
Nothing is as symbolic of Japan as Mt. Fuji. Standing at 3,776 meters, the mountain that straddles the prefectures of Yamanashi and Shizuoka is by far the tallest in the country, visible even from Tokyo.
Fuji’s impact on Japan has been profound, inspiring countless poets and artists that include the legendary ukiyo-e painter and printmaker KATSUSHIKA Hokusai (1760~1849). Hokusai’s woodblock series 36 Views of Mount Fuji includes the iconic Great Wave Off Kanagawa, perhaps the most famous postcard image of Japan, which features a snow-capped Fuji in the distance as a giant foaming wave swells in the foreground.
At the heart of Fuji’s influence is its spiritual power. The summit of Fuji has long been considered sacred and there is plenty of myth surrounding the mountain. The peak has been worshipped as the home of a fire god and as the home of a Shinto goddess of trees, while in Buddhism Fuji is where Dainichi Nyorai, the Buddha of All-Illuminating Wisdom, lives. Since the 15th century Fuji has been popular as a pilgrimage destination, but it was off-limits to women until the Meiji Era.
Climbing Fuji
It is thought that Fuji was first climbed by an unknown monk in 663, while the first foreigner to reach its summit was British diplomat Sir Rutherford ALCOCK in 1860. Between July 1st and August 26th each year, hundreds of thousands of climbers descend on Mt. Fuji to follow in their footsteps during the official climbing season.
To mark the start of the season an event is held each year in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The event gets going with a late-night purifying ritual at Sengen Shrine’s Wakutama Pond and then continues with a declaration that the mountain is open.
For anyone interested in climbing Fuji, there are several things to bear in mind. First, the temperature difference between the mountain’s base and top is around 20 degree’s, and even though summer is hot in Japan dawn temperatures at Fuji’s peak in August can still be near or below freezing. The local tourist office recommends you hike in a long-sleeved shirt and trousers and that you bring a sweater, gloves and thick socks for higher altitudes.
The tourist office also suggests bringing wet weather gear; although umbrellas should be left behind as they are a hassle to carry and can obstruct other hikers. Good hiking boots, sunglasses and a flashlight are also advisable. Besides advice on equipment, the tourist office also has some important rules for hikers to follow. You should climb slowly and take frequent short rests, and if you feel sick you should take a long rest at one of the mountain huts or abort your climb. Finally, to protect the natural environment, don’t leave any trash behind.
Unfortunately, with the way many hikers leave litter on Fuji, it seems the mountain isn’t as precious to the Japanese as it once was. And that litter strewn across the mountain by careless climbers is why Japan’s attempts at getting Fuji designated as a Natural World Heritage Site have failed. The mountain’s beauty from afar is undeniable, but its trails bear the scars of its popularity. There are, however, plans to apply to have Fuji listed as a Cultural World Heritage Site, which given its importance in the Japanese psyche doesn’t seem an unreasonable claim.
Getting There
Most people begin their climb from one of the four 5th stations on Fuji. To get to the popular Kawaguchi-ko 5th Station (altitude 2,300m; 5 to 7 hours from the summit) on the Yamanashi side of the mountain, you can take a bus from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. It takes about two and a half hours and costs 2,600 yen. In climbing season this service runs six times a day.
You can also begin climbing from the following stations on the Shizuoka side: Subashiri 5th Station (altitude 2,000 meters; 5 to 8 hours), Gotemba 5th Station (altitude 1,400 meters; 7 to 10 hours) and Fujinomiya 5th Station (2,400 meters; 4 to 7 hours).
(From August Issue 2008)
