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

I always consider why my guests have come to Mt. Fuji and what wishes they have tied to their climb. More than just reaching the summit, I believe it’s important to create an experience that is fulfilling and memorable.

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

It’s hard to choose just one… My debut as a guide, the time I led my parents, a memorial climb, climbing through lightning and heavy rain, assisting a three-generation family—there are too many unforgettable moments to decide.

3：What is the happiest moment for you as a guide?
Rather than reaching the summit, I feel happiest when I’m sharing ice cream with my guests after safely descending the mountain. That’s when I finally feel at ease.

4：What has been your most difficult experience?

Being involved in a rescue during a fatal heart attack incident. Nature can sometimes render us powerless. That’s why I emphasize thorough preparation, both for myself and my guests, so that we can climb safely and enjoy the journey.

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

1. Observing the movement of clouds and the flow of the wind to predict the weather.

2. Eating ramen at the summit.

3. Helping younger guides improve their skills and gain experience.

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

In 2025, I plan to attempt 33 consecutive laps around the crater at the summit—a feat that should take at least 24 hours. Many monks have undertaken sleepless, continuous ascents of Mt. Fuji for their spiritual training, so this will be more than just a speed challenge.

Another would be an exploratory trek to rediscover old, forgotten trails. Mt. Fuji has many abandoned routes, and I would love to verify them by following old maps and footprints.

7: Is there anything you always do or have a routine after the climb is over?
Before climbing, I always visit a shrine dedicated to Mt. Fuji. After the climb, I return to the shrine to give thanks, dive into a hot spring, and then eat—eat a lot!

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

I learned that travel is a part of life, and life itself is a travel. That everyone needs a place where they belong. And that even the worst experiences given enough years, turn into stories you can laugh about.

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

It has become an inseparable part of my life. I can’t imagine a summer without climbing Mt. Fuji. Even on my days off between tours, I find myself going up the mountain.

10：Is there any project or challenge you would like to take on in the future? Why?
I’d love to create tours collaborating with the local communities at the foot of Mt. Fuji. These communities have long supported the mountain’s climbing environment, and I want to honor their contributions by working together.
Also, Big climbing and big eating challenge!