Dormitory Desk, Student Affairs Section (Former Residence Life Center)Waseda University

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Study tour in Mt. Fuji (August 2025)

Overview of Activities

Destination: Mt. Fuji and the surrounding area
Participants: 7 students (including 1 RA)
Period: August 4, 2025 (Monday) to August 7, 2025 (Thursday) 

Activity Report

This is an experiential training program offering multifaceted learning on Mt. Fuji-related topics, implemented with the cooperation of the NPO Fujisan Club. With Mt. Fuji as the main theme, activities included visiting a miko’s house, touring the World Heritage Center, experiencing hōtō noodle making, a tour of the Aokigahara Forest, and climbing Mt. Fuji.

Experience Report from participants

Hello. My name is Nachi Matsuura, first year student in Waseda University. This summer, I participated in a four days and three nights study tour to Mt. Fuji and Yamanashi prefecture and studied culture, history and environmental issues around the area as well as climbing
Mt. Fuji on the last two days.

With the 7 participants from WISH, we learned and enjoyed many places and activities. We visited Fujisan Museum, Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and Jomonji-ke, one of the registered tangible cultural property. We also participated in activities which include walking around Aokigahara Forest, invasive species control at Lake Kawaguchi, and most importantly, climbing Mt. Fuji, the tallest peak in Japan at 3,776 meters.

The most memorable part of our journey is obviously the climbing Mt. Fuji on the last two days. However, what left the deepest impression on me was history and culture we learned and experienced along the way. There was a religious group called Fuji-Ko (富士講) in Edo period which is more than several centuries ago. The main practice of Fuji-Ko was to climb Mt. Fuji that was considered as something sacred. Therefore, through the act of climbing (登拝), they aimed to purify themselves and gain spiritual benefits. The mountain was especially famous for safe childbirth as the main goddess enshrined is Konohanasakuyahime who has the myth about giving birth to a child in the fire. People prayed for children to grow healthy as they climb the mountain. As a Japanese, I acuatully did not know this fact that there used to be such a spiritual meaning to climb up. I suppose not many people in Japan know about this. Through learning this history and experiencing what they have done, I completely changed my mind towards Mt. Fuji. I used to think that it was just so popular because it is the highest peak in Japan. However, now I know the true story of climbing up the mountain and I was able to appreciate the wonderful nature it has. This led all the participants to make up their minds to climb up on Day 3. The hike up Mt. Fuji was more tough and exhausting than we imagined. There were rocky areas where we had to use our full body to climb, but we never gave up because we learned the importance of climbing up to the summit. The beautiful nature and spectacular scenery we have seen was only visible for those who ascended. It was such a valuable experience. We not only enjoyed the beautiful nature but also faced a big challenge that gave us. At the 8th station of the mountain, we were told that we couldn’t continue to the summit due to the inclement weather. It was so shocking and disappointing but it taught us the harshness of nature. This left me the desire to climb up again in the future.

The whole experience was unforgettable memory of my summer as a university student. I was not ale to know the history and culture behind the Mt. Fuji without this journey with participants from WISH. This story might make you feel that there’s a lot of studying involved, but it is not! Because we enjoyed so many fun activities as well. We made “Hoto” noodle, had BBQ at night and ate Oshi-Ryori which is special meal for those who are in Fuji-Ko. We also went to Lake Sai in the morning to see Mt. Fuji and saw fireworks at Lake Shoji to see fireworks at night. Experience the real Japan and Mt. Fuji on this study tour in WISH!!!

Nachi Matsuura

Dormitory Desk, Student Affairs Section (Former Residence Life Center) is a department that plans management policies for student dormitories, and provides services for students regarding dormitories.

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