This series features interviews with guides who know the wonders of Mount Fuji inside and out. This time, we spoke with Daiki Nishikawa, 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?

As a guide, I place great importance on understanding my guests first and foremost. I approach every tour with an open mind, putting myself in their shoes and thinking about what they are looking for and how I can best fit into their story. Every tour is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, bringing new discoveries and lessons. One of the greatest joys of guiding is the opportunity to hike with people from all over the world.

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

One of my most unforgettable experiences was climbing with a Japanese man in his eighties. He was a cheerful person, always cracking jokes as we hiked. He wasn’t particularly strong, and after a while, he started to fall behind the group. But despite that, he never lost his cheerful spirit—even when his legs cramped, he just laughed it off. He took frequent breaks and moved at a slow but steady pace.

As we neared the summit, I suddenly realized that a line of more than ten other hikers had formed behind him. They told him, “Walking with you gives us energy.” Even at a slow pace, his positivity was inspiring, and many others naturally fell in line behind him. When we finally reached the summit, everyone shared the joy of accomplishment together. To this day, I can still vividly recall his laughter and bright smile.

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

I feel the happiest when I see guests develop a deeper appreciation for Mount Fuji through the tour. It’s even more rewarding when they say they want to come back again!

4：What has been your most difficult experience?

One of the toughest experiences I’ve had was leading a large group of foreign hikers for the first time. I was the only guide for about 20 people, and their fitness levels varied dramatically—some were as strong as triathletes, while others needed a much slower pace. Some wanted to charge ahead, while others struggled to keep up. Balancing those different needs was challenging. To make things even harder, Mount Fuji was much more crowded back then. Certain parts of the trail were completely jammed with hikers, making it difficult to keep my group together. At one point, I realized I couldn’t manage everything on my own, so I asked a few group members to help me maintain the pace and keep everyone together. By the time we reached the end of the climb and I gave my closing remarks, the group actually gave me a round of applause. That moment was a huge relief. It taught me just how important flexibility and communication are when guiding a group on the mountain.

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

In recent years, I’ve really enjoyed photography. At the end of each season, I like looking back and seeing how my photos have changed over time. I love capturing people in their natural state, the emotions of the landscape, and those fleeting, expressive moments.

Mt. Fuji Photo Gallery by Daiki Nishikawa

Also, I have to admit—half of my motivation for hiking is the ramen at the summit!

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

I’d love to explore the lesser-known routes of Mount Fuji, including the old historical trails outside the official climbing paths. Experiencing the mountain in a more immersive way would be great.

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

Every year after the climbing season ends, I make it a tradition to visit the hometowns of some of my past guests. So far, I’ve traveled all over Japan—from Hokkaido to Okinawa—reconnecting with the people I’ve met on the mountain.

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

My relationship with Mount Fuji has changed over time. At first, it was simply a mountain I admired from afar. Then, it became a mountain I climbed. Later, it became the mountain where I learned, grew, and worked as a guide. Now, I see it as a sacred place that I have the responsibility to respect and preserve for future generations. Mount Fuji has gone from being something outside of me to something inside of me.

9：What is the appeal of Mt.Fuji for you? 

Mount Fuji has a mysterious charm—it’s a sacred place that has inspired faith, culture, and art for centuries. At the same time, it’s open to everyone. That contrast, that sense of something just beyond our understanding, is what makes it so fascinating.

With its wide base and perfectly symmetrical shape, Mount Fuji is Japan’s most iconic mountain. It looks simple, balanced, and naturally beautiful. But after spending years working here, I’ve come to see different sides of its asymmetry. The more I learn, the more I realize how deep and complex this mountain truly is.

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

I’d love to create a tour that connects the base of Mount Fuji to the summit—starting from the first station and walking all the way up in one continuous route, including a stroll through Fujiyoshida-CIty, the town at the base of the mountain.

Today, over 95% of climbers begin their ascent from the fifth station, meaning the lower sections of the mountain and the surrounding towns are often overlooked. But there’s so much more to discover—the unique industries, culinary heritage, and way of life that have developed from Fuji’s rich ecosystem. By experiencing both the natural beauty of the mountain and the stories of the people who live around it, this journey could offer a much deeper and more meaningful adventure.