This once-active volcano, dormant since its 1707 eruption, remains a cultural cornerstone as one of the "Three Holy Mountains." Shinto beliefs endow it with spiritual significance, bridging earthly and heavenly realms, with its importance extending beyond its physical grandeur to represent spiritual transcendence and nature's might.
For years, the image of Mount Fuji had been a digital spectre, with its snow-capped peak gracing my social media feeds, alongside stories of people making it to the summit. The mountains have always had a way with me, and so my footsteps (and a flight) led me to Japan till I arrived in Fuji-san..
The day started at 6am in a nearby city before we made our way to Subashiri 5th station. As we arrived at the base of the trail, we jumped out of the shuttle that was carrying the six of us and made our way for registration and safety protocols, we had been warned that the winds would be strong as a storm was passing through south-eastern Japan. A dense fog enshrouded the landscape and an unspoken understanding passed between us, that this ascent would not be an easy one. Yet, it didn't dampen our spirits as we steeled ourselves for the challenge. As we took our first steps upon the hallowed trail, we knew we were embarking on a test of resilience, both physical and mental, in the face of the mountain's unpredictable and unforgiving nature.
As we pressed onward, the faint sounds of laughter and relief floated down from those who had reached the summit, a tantalising reminder of the reward that awaited us at the top.
As the terrain grew more treacherous, our words faded, replaced by the steady rhythm of footsteps and the harsh rasp of laboured breath.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced the dissipating clouds, we emerged from the hut to complete my journey. The ascent was arduous, each step a battle against fatigue and the lingering effects of the storm. But with each passing moment, the beauty of the mountain unveiled itself anew. The uphill climb was painfully slow, battling the odds with myself but we pushed ahead.
At the summit, the world fell away, replaced by a panorama of endless skies and distant peaks, a testament to the power of perspective. In that moment, the essence of Susan Sontag's words reverberated within me, a recognition of the inherent duality of existence: the struggle and transcendence, the impermanence and enduring beauty of life.