• Home
  • ABOUT
  • HOW TO START
  • ALPS
    • Austrian Alps
    • German Alps
    • Italian Alps
    • Slovenian Alps
    • Swiss Alps
    • Huts and Shelters
    • Roads and Passes
  • TENERIFE TOURS
  • ABOUT EQUIPMENT
  • FAQs
  • WRITE FOR US

Mountains For Everybody

Site about mountaineering, climbing and equipment, for those who love mountains

  • Outdoor Sleeping
    • Tents
      • Solo tents
      • Tents for 2 People
      • Tents for 3 People
      • Tents for 4 People
      • Tents in general
    • Tarps and Shelters
    • Sleeping Bags
    • Sleeping Pads
  • Backpacks
    • Day Packs
    • Mid-Size Packs
    • Large Packs
    • Kids & Youth
    • Packs FAQs
  • Clothing
    • Men’s
    • Women’s
  • Footwear
    • Men’s
    • Women’s
    • Insulated
  • Gear
    • Camp stuff
    • Lamps
    • Poles
    • Filters
  • Newsletter subscribe

Climbing Mount Fuji, a Life-Time Experience

Last Modified: 12/01/2023

Climbing Mount Fuji (or Fuji-san, 3776 m) is a lifetime experience. This is the highest mountain on the Japanese islands. In this post I describe my climbing in July 2002,  starting from Tokyo.

But this is not only about climbing and about the magnificent mountain. There is more to it, an episode which left mark on my soul forever. I can only hope I shall be able to present it to you in a way I feel about it. Give it a try and read at least the second part below.

https://mountainsforeverybody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Aires-Andaluces1.mp3

[Music: Aires Andaluces, by Agustín Barrios Mangoré.]


Mount Fuji looks so perfect with its conical shape that for some people it may look unreal. Here is one episode about this. I was attending a language course in Belgium, and for an oral practice, we were told to bring something to speak about. I took a photo of Fuji-san. There was a guy from South America in the group, and he was convinced that the photo was retouched. “No mountain can look like that”- his words.  My explanations did not help, he knew what he knew, end of the story.

Climbing Mount Fuji-Hokusai-great wave
Hokusai: The great wave off Kanagawa [courtesy of Wikipedia]. Fuji-san in the background.
Hokusai: Red Fuji
Hokusai: Red Fuji [courtesy of Wikipedia]

It is hard to explain by words how much this mountain overshadows everything around, and how mighty it looks like. Indeed, no other mountain looks like that. Though I would like to add that Teide mountain on Tenerife island, the highest Spanish peak which I also climbed overnight a couple of times, reminds me about Fuji to some extent.


When I climbed Mount Fuji in 2002, this was my highest mountain till that time. It was the rainy season in Japan and, as usual, it coincides with the climbing season (July-August). When you are in Japan you will see on TV when they announce the formal beginning of the climbing season, and for such an occasion climbers turn up in hordes at several starting points below the holy mountain.

Mount Fuji
Summit station at Mount Fuji.

Obviously, it was difficult to have a day with a stable weather. But eventually the forecast was good for one single day, and in afternoon July 8th, I rushed toward Shinjuku station in Tokyo and took a bus toward so-called Fifth Station which is at around 2200 m above the sea level.  This was also my first night climb; I wanted to be on the summit at sunrise. But many others had the same idea. So, although this was formally a solo tour, almost all the time there were people somewhere around. Many of them were passing by me as I was rather slow that night.

I set off at 10:30 pm, and I was on the summit at 4:30 am. I had enough time to have a hot coffee in the shelter on the summit before the sunrise, which was far from spectacular due to clouds in the east. In these moments they play the Japanese anthem at the shelter.

The climb

The climb itself was just an unproblematic but rather hard walk where you feel the high altitude. In the morning when I started descending the mountain I could see a long line of people coming up. And I noticed that from time to time, some elderly people were using small bottles with oxygen. Their progress was slow but constant; the rhythm of their steps was  1-2-3-stop, 1-2-3-stop. Slowly but persistently they were making their way up.

Regarding equipment, you will need nothing special, just a pair of normal strong hiking shoes and warm clothes for the summit. Walking poles are always good to have. I had about 3 liters of liquid, but if you do not want to carry you may have it on the way up. There are several very pleasant places (stations) on the way up, where you may have a warm meal and even stay to sleep if you feel tired. Not many people were entering those stations that night, obviously, they all wanted to be up there when the Sun rises. Besides, there is a shelter (9th station if I remember correctly) on the summit itself.


During the night I met a Japanese climber who said he was on another holy mountain a few days earlier and visited some temples there in order to pray for a good weather for Fuji-san. Apparently, it worked. We had the perfect night and the day after. The rain came only when I was safely on my bus back to Tokyo.

Climbing Mount Fuji.
My unknown friend on the way up. He was the one who was praying in temples for good weather on Fuji.

Mount Fuji
Fifth station, start of the trail.
Mount Fuji
At the summit shelter.
Mount Fuji
Me with people on the summit.
Climbing Mount Fuji
Coffee available at 3776 m.
Climbing Mount Fuji
Waiting for the Sun.
Climbing Mount Fuji
The summit station.
Climbing Mount Fuji.
People on the summit of Mount Fuji.
Climbing Mount Fuji.
The summit of Mount Fuji.
Climbing Mount Fuji.
Crater of Mount Fuji.

But while standing on the summit and seeing dark forests that extend for many kilometers everywhere around the mountain, I could not forget yet another experience a few years earlier, related to this same mountain. Below is this episode.


Dark shadows of Mount Fuji – Aokigahara suicide forest

We were on a tour around the mountain, the year 1999. It was early spring, mountain officially closed. My guide was my dear friend Mitsuo Kono (see him on a separate page here) professor at Chuo University in Tokyo.

Probably knowing my weakness towards the mountains and towards Fuji, he proposed that trip.  Of course, all the roads that led directly to the mountain were closed because of the snow, and we were left only to enjoy the low-lying areas of the mountain.

The weather was again rainy but improving a little bit, so intervals without rain we used for short walks in the surrounding area. We walked around the lake whose shores were covered with black sand. Of the same color were the walls of the buildings around. It was solidified lava. 

We went to some caves and followed narrow paths through the thick forest. Mitsuo was telling me that at the time of the shogun, during the summertime the villagers would carry the ice from these caves in baskets to Tokyo.

The top of the mountain was not visible,  lost in the clouds that were very low. But the presence of the mountain was felt in only a very gradual, slight elevation of the terrain in the same general direction, toward the invisible summit.

Mitsuo was also speaking about how Japanese people were committing suicide. He said, if someone felt saturated with life, rejected by the society, he or she would simply walk in the vast and impassable forests which cover the base of the mountain. It was, of course, the path of no return, in one direction.

“A strange people and strange folk traditions from the past,” I thought.

In this road-less area, it was weird to see something that looked like mailboxes of transparent plastic, which were hanged on trees, next to the trail which we were passing. Something was written on them, and I asked my companion to explain to me what it was.

“You see, he said, these boxes are for those who choose to commit suicide in these forests. There may leave their last messages in there. However, on the boxes are written appeals to these people to think again, and to get back, etc. Here, it says do not do it, go back, think of your nearest, and the like.”

Of course, completely shocked, I realized that she story about suicides I heard from him before that, was not a “folklore”, but something that was happening all the time.

Looking into the bush, which now looked frightening, I guess I was wondering how many of them were in that moment out there, exhausted by hunger, counting down their last minutes.

Climbing Mount Fuji.
At dawn on Mount Fuji and dark forests far below.

So, later, standing at the summit of Mount Fuji that July 2002, I remembered those “mailboxes” from the dark woods far below. This spoiled the usual great feeling of being on a mountain summit. In fact, the same thought came back again: how many of them right now, right there?


When I read about one or another lunatic in the West, who starts going around by killing everybody on his way to his own death,  I cannot stop thinking about those in the woods at the foot of Mount Fuji, who walk into death in a quite different way, quietly and with dignity. And I think about how very different we are.


This was my story about this magnificent mountain. I hope you like it. English is not my native, and I cannot express all the feelings I have had then, and which I have every time when I think about it.

Spread the love

Mountains for Everybody site is reader-supported. This means that some of the links in the text are affiliate links, and when you buy products through our links we may earn some small commission to keep running the site. Filed Under: About mountains in general Tagged With: Fuji san, Japan highest mountain, mount Fuji

Comments

  1. Mary Jo says

    05/04/2015 at

    Perhaps those who go to the forest to die want their last moments to be in a place of peace and beauty. For those of us who are not climbers, your stories let us share the experience vicariously.

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      05/04/2015 at

      Thanks Mary Jo. My climb to Mount Fuji is a life time experience in every sense. I am glad to see that you liked it. Jovo

  2. Peggy Menke says

    03/06/2015 at

    Hello, Jovo. Great article! The photos are great and your videos were awesome. It hard to believe that people really do commit suicide in such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing your experience.

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      03/07/2015 at

      Thank you Peggy, the whole Mt. Fuji area is a specific place. It is great that you like the story. Jovo

  3. Donna (Marine Mom) says

    02/27/2015 at

    Jovo,

    Wow! What an adventure, experience and story!! I enjoyed reading this very much. The forest in Japan is notorious for being haunted. I am not sure if I would be able to experience it!!

    Thank you so much for sharing this exceptional blog with all of your readers.

    Regards,
    Donna
    http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/haunted/Aokigahara.php

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/27/2015 at

      Many thanks Donna, it is great to see that you liked it. Many thanks. Jovo

  4. Brian Smith says

    02/21/2015 at

    Great site with wonderful information. You may not to ever get there but now you have a chance to share in the experience

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/21/2015 at

      Thanks for visiting my site Brian, it is great that you like it. Jovo

  5. ken says

    02/20/2015 at

    Great content well worth coming back for some more.
    Ken

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/21/2015 at

      Many thanks Ken for kind words. Jovo

  6. Jewel Carol says

    02/20/2015 at

    Hi Jovo

    Wow, I love the pictures,it is simply fascinating just to read the interesting story of Mount Fuji. I cannot imagine climbing that high a mountain. Oh my God, you are amazing!! Thank you for giving such great information about Mount Fuji. 🙂

    You are so adventurous!! I really appreciate your awesome story about yr adventure on “climbing Mount Fuji”!!

    Jewel Carol

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/20/2015 at

      Many thanks Jewel for such kind words. It is great to hear from you. Jovo

  7. Stefan says

    02/18/2015 at

    Hey Jovo

    Great adventure read! Besides the tour with the picture, I was impressed by the dark secret of the forest. INcredible!
    CU,
    Stefan

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/18/2015 at

      Thank you Stefan. As you nicely said, incredible. Jovo

  8. Matthew says

    02/18/2015 at

    I really enjoyed that post. Both the part about the climb and the photos.

    Even more so I enjoyed when you spoke of the mail boxes and the dark forest. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/18/2015 at

      I am grateful for your comment, thank you Matthew for reading my story. Jovo

  9. Jazmin says

    02/18/2015 at

    What an amazing story Jovo, pictures are awesome. I don’t think I’d ever have the guts to climb a mountain but kudos to you for doing it. Seeing those mailboxes must have had an impact on you which will probably last forever. It’s so sad just thinking about it, but at least they didn’t kill anyone else and went out on their own terms. Thanks for sharing this story.

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/18/2015 at

      Yes, they go with dignity. I was told that sometimes police patrols find some of them still alive, and save them. Thanks for reading and for commenting it. Jovo

  10. Jeff Czajka says

    02/18/2015 at

    Mt. Fuji!!!! Are you kidding me. That’s sweet dude. Can only imagine now a days. I’m certain this site will do well. Climb on Wayne….climb on Garth lol.
    Regards,
    Jeffster

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/18/2015 at

      Hi Jeff, thanks for the comment and for reading my story. Jovo

  11. William Brown says

    02/18/2015 at

    Those pictures and images were amazing, I didn’t know anything about his mountain as it is in Japan but it took my interest and I read the whole article as it was very informative and interesting information. Job well done
    Willie

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/18/2015 at

      Thank you William, I am glad you liked it. The experience from the mountain stayed in my memory ever since. Jovo

  12. Andrea Gerak says

    02/18/2015 at

    Hi Jovo,

    Thank you for sharing and for the inspiration! In fact, watching sunrise from Fuji is on my bucket list 🙂

    And the last part was especially interesting: I have seen these kind of stories of old people going to the forest to die, in Kurosawa movies. It is indeed a bit frightening to know that this does happen.

    Keep on climbing and sharing!
    Andrea

    Reply
    • admin says

      02/18/2015 at

      Hi Andrea, thank you. I did not know about this part from Kurosawa’s stories. Those boxes were indeed something I could not forget. Thank you.

    • Andrea Gerak says

      02/27/2015 at

      Jovo,
      If I remember it right, it was in Dreams – I will have to watch it again with my Babe who is a movie AND a mountain freak 🙂 I will show him your site.

    • Jovo says

      02/27/2015 at

      Thanks, I do not remember it but it may be that I have seen it. Kurosawa is my favorite. Jovo

  13. Terry says

    02/17/2015 at

    What a fantastic experience, thanks for sharing
    Terry

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/17/2015 at

      Great to see you liked it Terry. It was fantastic indeed. Jovo

  14. Claire says

    02/17/2015 at

    Wow, those views are simply stunning, Jovo! You’re so high up, it’s like looking out of an aeroplane window!
    Beautiful.
    Claire

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      02/17/2015 at

      Many thanks Claire. This was something extraordinary in every sense. Jovo

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


My photo on the summit of Jalovec.Hi everybody and welcome to my site which I nurture with love and passion. Here I describe my own climbs and give reviews of equipment. I hope you will enjoy it. More about the site and about me here.

Categories


Cookies Statement

In this site we do not have any cookie tool. But we do use services by third parties that either use cookies or may be doing so, yet we do not have any control of it. This is covered in their privacy policies. For more details please check in our Privacy Policy page.


  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure

My Most Memorable Tours

  • Magic Moments On Mount Teide Tenerife
  • Climbing Weissmies solo
  • Climbing Mount Fuji
  • Climbing Zugspitze solo
  • Lagginhorn my first 4000er

Recent Posts

Differences Between Men's and Women's Osprey Backpacks featured picture.

Differences Between Men’s and Women’s Osprey Backpacks

How Do You Attach a Sleeping Bag to a Daypack featured picture.

How Do You Attach a Sleeping Bag to a Daypack?

Can an Overweight Person Go for a Trek featured picture.

Can an Overweight Person Go for a Trek?

The Physiological Impact of Thru-Hiking featured picture.

The Physiological Impact of Thru-Hiking: Body’s Response and Effects

Are Canvas Backpacks Good for Hiking featured picture.

Are Canvas Backpacks Good for Hiking?

Affiliate Disclosure

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. So when you buy something from this website, I may receive an affiliate commission. These are my opinions and are not representative of the companies that create these products. My reviews are based on my personal experience and research. I never recommend poor quality products, or create false reviews to make sales. It is my intention to explain products so you can make an informed decisions on which ones suit your needs best.

Categories

  • About mountains in general (33)
  • Alps (138)
    • Austrian Alps (5)
    • German Alps (3)
    • Great mountain roads and passes (10)
    • Huts and Shelters (27)
    • Italian Alps (84)
    • Slovenian Alps (25)
    • Swiss Alps (21)
  • Backpacks (249)
    • About Packs in General (77)
    • Day Packs (63)
    • Large Packs (79)
    • Mid-Size Packs (52)
    • Packs for Kids & Youth (2)
  • Clothing (22)
    • Men's Clothing (11)
    • Women's Clothing (8)
  • Equipment (61)
    • Camp stuff (37)
    • General Stuff (3)
    • Headlamps (8)
    • Trekking poles (3)
    • Water filters & purifiers (9)
  • FAQs (127)
  • Footwear (22)
    • Insulated Footwear (4)
    • Men's Footwear (17)
    • Women's Footwear (6)
  • Guest Author posts (5)
  • Hiking tours (22)
  • Sleeping Bags (110)
  • Sleeping Pads (90)
  • Tenerife (24)
  • Tents and shelters (256)
    • About tents in general (22)
    • Solo tents (23)
    • Tarps and Shelters (12)
    • Tents for 2 People (69)
    • Tents for 3 People (57)
    • Tents for 4 People (91)
    • Winter tents (25)

Copyright © 2025 · Mountains for Everybody · All Rights Reserved