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Appropriate manners while climbing Mt. Fuji

The Mt. Fuji Country Code: Ten Promises

1. We promise to leave a beautiful Mt. Fuji to future generations

We promise to leave Mt. Fuji, the highest and most beautiful mountain in Japan, forever beautiful and pass it down to future generations as the natural scenic symbol of our nation Japan.

2. We promise never to throw any litter onto Mt. Fuji and to take all trash home with us.

Even a small amount of litter strewn about is highly visible amidst Mt. Fuji’s beautiful scenery. What’s more, the act of cleaning up litter is hard and dangerous work in the thin air on Mt. Fuji. We will participate in the movement to carry home all our trash and we will carry home all the trash that we have brought to the mountain.

3. We promise not to bring along things likely to be disposed of later.

Climbing to the summit is a very trying challenge even though it looks close. We will cut down on unnecessary belongings to the greatest possible degree so as to prevent ourselves from tiring and we will not discard items along the way.

4. We promise not to stray from the climbing routes.

Walking in areas other than the climbing routes causes falling rocks while also damaging vegetation. We will not stray from the climbing routes.

5. We promise not to write any graffiti to memorialize our climb.

Writing graffiti on rocks to memorialize our climb causes considerable damage to the scenery at the summit. We will not write graffiti on rocks.

6. We promise not to use vehicles except on designated roadways.

Driving off-road cars and motorbikes other than on roadways damages vegetation and threatens animal habitats. We will not drive cars or motorbikes in areas other than designated roadways.

7. We promise not to destroy lava trees and other special geographical features.

Lava trees and other features are ancient documents that give an account of Mt. Fuji’s history. We will learn about special geographical features and treat them with respect.

8. We promise not to leave vehicle engines running on idle in the parking areas.

The exhaust fumes emitted during engine idling pollute the clean air of Mt. Fuji. We will not leave our engines idling in the parking areas.

9. We promise not to take away any animals or plants.

The great variety of animals and plants living in Mt. Fuji’s natural environment are all Mt. Fuji’s companions within nature. We will treat the animals and plants on Mt. Fuji respectfully.

10. We promise to keep the lavatories and other public facilities clean.

One person leaving a toilet or other public facility in a soiled state causes discomfort for those using it later. We will each use the facilities carefully without soiling or damaging them.

In addition, there are appropriate manners when climbing Mt. Fuji, which are minimum rules designed so that no inconvenience or discomfort is imparted to other people or to the natural environment.

On the mountain, people ascending take precedence over people descending.

The entirety of Mt. Fuji is a national park. Visitors are prohibited from taking home even a single stone.

Breaks are to be taken in locations that do not impede the path of people passing.

Visitors must refrain from making loud noises.

Chitchat while walking should not cause inconvenience to others.

Cigarettes must be disposed of in a portable ashtray carried by the visitor. (Smoking is prohibited while walking.)

Toilets are pay toilets

Tissues may not be used in the toilets. As tissues do not dissolve in water, they remain forever. Follow the rules posted in each mountain cabin or public toilet.

Things to bring or prepare

Clothing

Wear clothing that is adjustable to the difference in temperature between the non-mountainous areas and the summit of Mt. Fuji (approximately 20oC)

Comfortable pants are essential.

It is necessary to outfit yourself with a long-sleeved shirt or sweater, windbreaker, and the like even in mid-summer.

A towel wrapped around the neck can be used to wipe away sweat when it is hot and serve as a scarf when it gets cold. Gloves (cotton work gloves) are recommended to lessen the risk of injury while also warding off the cold.

Headgear

A hat or cap is necessary to protect yourself from both the cold and the direct rays of the sun. Sunscreen lotion is also a good idea if you are concerned about ultraviolet rays.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses will also be useful, because the direct rays of the sun are quite intense and ultraviolet rays are quite strong near the summit.

Footwear

In choosing footwear, thick-soled mountaineering boots of a height sufficient to provide stiff support up to the ankles are best, but when such boots are not available, athletic footwear that has been fully broken in will also suffice, provided the conditions listed below are met.

Socks

Socks serve not only as a means for absorbing sweat but also cushion the foot. Wear thick socks made from synthetic fiber or wool.

Backpack

Choose one with wide, cushioned, sturdy straps. Heavy items should be loaded into the top of the pack, with the length of the straps adjusted to ensure a good fit with the broad of the back. The pack should be carried from the lower back across the entirety of the broad of the back. Clothing and other items should be placed into plastic bags to protect it from rain.

Handwear (gloves or cotton work gloves)

As there are many routes made of lava rock and also rocky areas, climbers need cotton work gloves to avoid injuries to their hands. Gloves also protect climbers’ hands from the cold when the temperature drops.

Raingear

Choose raingear sold as a suit, with separate top and bottom pieces, paying attention to ease of movement when wearing it.

Lighting

A flashlight is essential for climbing at night.

Portable oxygen cylinder

This is carried as a stop-gap measure for altitude sickness. However, if symptoms appear, climbers should refrain from overexerting themselves and head back down the mountain.

Anti-inflammatory plasters and adhesive plasters (‘band-aids’)

A considerable number of people find themselves with pain in their knees or lower backs. Climbers should also prepare antiseptic, gauze, tape, and so on.

Trash bags

In addition to their essential role in holding trash, trash bags are invaluable when it rains.

Walking stick

A walking stick may get in the way at times when ascending the mountain, but during the descent, it assists in taking some of the burden off the knees.

Map & compass

One might lose the way during the climb. All climbers should be equipped with both a map and a compass.

Water

Drinking water is also available for purchase at each of the mountain cabins.

Food