This series features interviews with guides who know the wonders of Mount Fuji inside and out. This time, we spoke with Ryoma Ueno, a mountain guide from JIN. Through his climbing experience and memorable tour episodes, we’ll dive deeper into the charm of Mount Fuji!

1: What kind of experience do you want to provide through your tours? Is there anything you keep in mind?

Many of my guests are visiting only once in their lifetime, so I always strive to provide guiding that makes them feel glad they joined a guided tour—not just because they reached the summit, but because of the whole experience.

2：Which is the most memorable tour you have climbed so far?

It was when I guided a 7-year-old girl and her 86-year-old grandmother.

The girl was moved by seeing the scenery for the first time, while the grandmother was deeply touched by being able to climb the mountain with her granddaughter.

I realized that people enjoy climbing Mt. Fuji in many different ways, depending on their own experiences.

3：What is the happiest moment for you as a guide?

Some of the guests who join guided tours have little to no hiking experience.

I start by explaining the equipment and the preparations they can make in advance, and the moment we finally stand together at the summit is when I feel the happiest.

4：What has been your most difficult experience?

It was when the descent trail had collapsed due to heavy rain the previous day.

Since I was familiar with the connecting route, I guided everyone one by one back to the main trail, and we were able to descend safely.

5：What do you look forward to while climbing other than the scenery?

I always look forward to enjoying meals such as coffee or ramen at the mountain huts along the way or at the restaurant on the summit.

The food tastes especially wonderful after experiencing the sense of accomplishment of reaching the top.

6：If you had no time or constraints, what would you like to do on a mountain tour?

I would like to try walking from Tokyo (Edo) like the pilgrims did in the past.

I imagine that in the days before trains and cars made access so easy, people must have felt the grandeur of Mt. Fuji even more strongly.

7: Is there anything you always do or have a routine after the climb is over?

It’s soaking in a hot spring to refresh myself.

I believe hot springs are also a wonderful gift from Mt. Fuji.

8: What have you learned or changed through your work as a mountaineering guide? 

What I’ve realized most as a mountain guide is that there is no such thing as the “perfect job.” No matter how well I think I’ve done, there is always room to improve, and the standard of what is considered “the best” differs from guest to guest.

Climbing a mountain is an experience outside of everyday life, and as a guide, I want to support each person so that their time on the mountain becomes the best possible experience for them.

9：What is the appeal of Mt.Fuji for you? 
What I love is that Mt. Fuji shows a different side every day. The sunrise, the scenery, and the weather are never the same from one day to the next.
As a guide, I also find it very rewarding that each guest has their own unique impressions and experiences.

10：Is there any project or challenge you would like to take on in the future? Why?

I would like to work on projects that share not only the area above the 5th Station, but also the connections with the foothills and the surrounding towns.

I believe it’s important not only to climb and watch the sunrise, but also to value the history and cultural connections of Mt. Fuji.