Mount Fuji Climb – One Hella Of An Experience !
I always wanted to do a Mount Fuji climb ever since I read about it. Mount Fuji, located at the boundary of shizouka and yamanashi prefectures is the highest peak in Japan at 3,776 m (12,388 ft). It is also one of the 3 ‘Holy Mountains’ of Japan with the other two being Mount Tate and Mount Haku. What seperates Mount Fuji from the 2 is that it is the most symbolic and beautiful mountain in Japan.
After some research, It just occur to me that the climbing season is in July-August. Giving me the perfect opportunity to do the climb. Without much hesitation, I took a flight to Japan and its really like an impromptu kindda climb. here is what I found:
Temperature: 6 – 12 degrees (Night)
Stuff To Bring: Hiking Shoes, Torch, Money, Jacket, Camera, Gloves, Water
I kindda took the option of climbing overnight just to see the sun rise the next day. So from Tokyo, I took a train to Kawaguchiko and at Kawaguchiko station, purchased a bus ride up to the Mount Fuji 5th station – There is a total of 10 Station with the 10th being the highest.
I kindda reach the top at about 10pm at night and yeah, it was rather cooling and the temperature is just perfect for my mount fuji climb. Here is some words of advice should you be interested in planning the climb. You need a hat/cap that you can attach your torch to. Because there will be some routes that requires some climbing, which is why you need to keep your hands free.
I am not kidding… It took me 5 hours to reach the top – because of the “jam” near the 4th hour. But I must say, the view of the sun rise was spectacular… and beautifully stunning. Now, what would come as the perfect day was eating that hot udon noodle at the top of Mount Fuji and enjoying that gorgeous view… It is here that you can justify Japan’s other nickname – Land of The Rising Sun.
At the top of the craters, you will be able buy some soveniors and get your “seals”. Of course, you would have printed several seals on your way up at each station. Eg: 6th station seals, 7th station seals.. but if what you really want is the 10th station seals, which signifys that you have climbed to the top of the mountain.
Well, there is an old saying that I’ve learnt on this trip here to Japan – He who climbs Fuji once is a wise man. He who climbs it twice is a fool. I definetly and will back this statement over and over again. The view, as you can see… is breath taking. It is healla of an experience and you will never want to miss it. This I promise. However, the journey down… omg… It is just one long winding road that never seems to end. Add that to the heat of the morning sun, goodness… now THAT is not as incredible as I would want it to be.
Something I realise about this is that 60,000 foreigns from all around the world does a Mount Fuji climb every year. Despite the short climbing season, 1 July – 27 August, the amount of tourism profits made is more than enough to cover for the overall annual expenses spent for the local vendors. As you probably know, the unique merchandises or soveniors is sold at a marked up price. Even if it is sold at a profit of $1 per climber, that would equate up to $60,000.
In marketing point of view, the local vendors is riding on the publicity of Japan’s Image, coupled with unique merchandising and needs(water, food, lodging) to create this mega profit. If you want, you too can think of between the lines of your business USP to ride on this marketing power of Free Advertising.
That completes my wonderful experience of climbing Mount Fuji. Yeah, the ride back to the hotel was a sleepy one, because I had stayed up all night doing the hike.
Sushi and Sashimi for Dinner… Thats for sure… =)
