In a Climb from Bottom to Top Lies Why Mt. Fuji Became a World Heritage Site

Mt. Fuji was registered as a world cultural site as a "symbol of faith and a source of art". This cultural heritage site is not only comprised of Mt. Fuji, but also the surrounding temples, shrines, and mountain paths. There are probably many people who choose to start their hike up Mt. Fuji from the halfway point, but the real history can be felt in the bottom half of the mountain.

What exactly is a "symbol of faith"? When Japanese people gaze upon Mt. Fuji, there is a sense of gratitude. Whether gazing from Tokyo Skytree, Enoshima, or the Shinkansen. It's a feeling that is tough to put into words. It is easy to say that "it's in our DNA," but what would make up that DNA? It's probably because the "history of faith in Mt. Fuji" has been in the DNA of our ancestors, generation after generation.

The most prominent example of this faith is the Fuji-kō faith, which originated in the Edo period. The path walked by the followers of this religion is named the "Yoshida Trail". Traveling the path from the town of Fuji-Yoshida to the halfway point (5th station) requires approximately 5 hours. There are four different paths on Mt. Fuji, but only the Yoshida Trail stretches from the foot of the mountain to the summit.

By the end of this journey, the Mt. Fuji of you imagination will start to take shape.

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