The Day I Conquered Mount Fuji, Japan

One of the craziest thing I ever did was to go trekking in Mount Fuji.

I have been to the 5th station of Mount Fuji twice, and it is probably the highest anyone can ever go.. if you are following tour groups and all… so, I did a little more research on Mount Fuji and realize that one of the most popular activities that visitors can do is to go trekking in Mount Fuji.

So.. I decided that one day, I would do that.

So on my next trip to Japan(Which so happen to be the trekking month (July and August), I brought along my torch, cap, gloves, a wind breaker, and a vest, knowing that it would be cold on the mountain top.

The main attraction for all trekkers is actually the sun rise, which provides a splendid view if you were to watch from Mount Fuji… after all.. it ain’t call the land of the rising sun if it does not live up to it reputation.

So.. with that in mind, the itinerary was set, and I were to start trekking from night till dawn, just so that I will be in time to watch the sun rise at the top of Mount Fuji… considering the average time per station is about an hour.

So from Narita, I took a train to Kawaguchiko. From Kawaguchiko, they offer a bus ride up to the 5th station of Mount Fuji, the highest any vehicle can go to. Thus, from there, if you want to reach the peak and summit of Mount Fuji, you have to go on foot to reaching the 10th Station(Top)

As night set, I took the 10pm bus up to the 5th station, reaching there at about 1030pm.

And so… the journey starts…

Now, the first few stations, 6th and 7th are pretty easy because the trekking routes are pretty straight forward. There are no climbing needed.. and all it takes is just walk.

After that, the trekking starts to get a little more difficult because you will need to climb some large rocks.. which of course is made simpler because there are handles and lines for you to grab on to. But nonethelessit is best that you keep both hands free so as to make the climbing smooth.

So.. don’t be like me… I mean, because I had a hand carry torch, it makes one of my hands unavailable, thus, making the climb a little bit harder. You can see that many climbers are actually wearing this “miner’s helmet”, which has a torch attached to it.. so.. everywhere they look, there is light and at the same time, their hands are free.

I would actually recommend getting that to make the climb easier..

Again, after the 8th station, the tracks starts to get steeper… and the time to reach the next station also becomes longer. This is because, the only way to go up.. is zig zagging up the mountain.. which.. I should say.. is pretty tiring and time consuming.

As I race against time to reach the summit before sun rise, I soon realize that there are a lot of people who are doing the same. These trekkers had actually reached the 8th and 9th station way before me, took a nap in one of the hostels before continuing their journey before dawn.

So… it can be quite packed during the dawn period.. so.. I do suggest you reach the top before the place starts to jam up… yes.. It was literally a jam up there and the pace was just too slow. This was because, many people are staying on top, waiting to see the sun rise like you.. thus.. if they dun move, you dun get to move too.. thus, causing the jam.

Finally… at the top, I saw what i came to see… and I must say… it was beautiful…

…and no words can actually describe the beauty for I struggle to take multiple pictures with my old digital camera, trying to get a great shot for it.

For all the hard work and a night’s sleep, it was well worth it.

However, the route down was tedious and super tiring… as the sun shines right onto you… and the down route was all “zig zagging”… it took forever to reach the 5th station..

That is to say… you walk like 200m, but the decent is only like 10m… and Mount Fuji is sitting at 3776m high… can you imagine the agony ?

Its funny cos I thought that the decent should be easier and more relax.. boy was I wrong..

The night climb was not so bad because it was cooling… but the day… made me agree on the old saying..

“One who never climbs Mount Fuji is a fool, and one who climbs twice is twice the fool….”

So… I am not going to do it again… lol… but the memories of the sun rise on top of Fuji mountain… will forever remain in my heart.