In our klik2travel blog we want to share information and give ideas on where to travel and how to get most out of your stay. Today we kick off a series of “My First” travel articles, with a story from Bjørn Lødøen on his first trek to the top of Mount Fuji:
"The devastating earthquake, tsunami and the problems with the power plants in the aftermath of all this, triggered me to revoke one of many surprising adventures we experienced during our stay in Japan. Japan is a beautiful country, so different related to culture, nature and the people itself. Travel-wise we see suggestions for visiting a lot of countries around the world, but very few focus on trips to Japan. There are different reasons: the language - as soon as you leave the big cities very few speak English; the cost - it has been considered a relatively expensive country. Both can be solved if you are keen to really get something out of your travel. If you have not been to Japan, you are really missing something.
Mount Fuji is located in the beautiful lake district of the national park named Hakone. The mountain itself, an active volcano, is considered a symbol of Japan. The name has different meanings: “richness”, “deathless”, “without comparison” and is often being a topic for all sorts of arts: paintings, poetry and religious symbols. What is though so special in climbing the top of Mount Fuji, being only 3776 meter high? Writing about mountain climbing is usually related to Mount Everest and K2 and other really high peaks. I will tell you it is the feeling you will experience after having been there that is so unique! First of all it is a trip a tourist can perform by just being in a normal physical condition. If you have the right equipment and go during the season, almost everybody will manage. But remember, even during the season the climate can change from summer to winter. The fauna varies from almost impenetrable woods and bushes to hard volcano rocks. You can avoid these by following the marked trails. Some years back, the woods of Fuji was the arena for a lot of suicides among young people; They went into the woods and never came back! They could not find their way back, and as strange as it sounds, magnetic compasses do not work because of all the lava stone. The Japanese experience something superstitious that attracts you to this holy mountain and the saying goes like this: “To climb Fuji once is wise, to climb it twice is to proclaim oneself a fool”. 
If sleeping over in a hut, the next morning quite early make yourself ready for the last stretch, arriving early enough to reach the sight of a glorious sunrise. This is some sort of a ritual to the Japanese and what they call “goreiko”. It is a breathtaking view if the weather is on your side. But before reaching the top you will experience something I never expected to experience. The last 200-300 meters you will probably be “attacked” by some sort of altitude sickness, only being able to cope with more than 50 meters climbing at a time, until you will have to sit down and rest due to the lack of oxygen. Stretching your hand to get a grip of the stone you are planning to rest on, you suddenly will pull your hand back, because….the stone is warm; It is really an active volcano. It is not burning hot, but warm. I will never forget these. I will either never forget the moment we reached the top. Stunning ! I felt the strength and kindness of Japans most worshipped mountain. The way “back home” is much more easy, as you will in a way glide through the lava stones. For the time being it is not advisable to go to Japan and the Tokyo area. But the Japanese are a strong people, things will settle down again and life will go on as normal. Sooner than anyone will expect. If you are going to visit Japan in the future: Plan for a trip to the top of Mount Fuji. You will never forget, because I have not done."
"The devastating earthquake, tsunami and the problems with the power plants in the aftermath of all this, triggered me to revoke one of many surprising adventures we experienced during our stay in Japan. Japan is a beautiful country, so different related to culture, nature and the people itself. Travel-wise we see suggestions for visiting a lot of countries around the world, but very few focus on trips to Japan. There are different reasons: the language - as soon as you leave the big cities very few speak English; the cost - it has been considered a relatively expensive country. Both can be solved if you are keen to really get something out of your travel. If you have not been to Japan, you are really missing something.
Mount Fuji is located in the beautiful lake district of the national park named Hakone. The mountain itself, an active volcano, is considered a symbol of Japan. The name has different meanings: “richness”, “deathless”, “without comparison” and is often being a topic for all sorts of arts: paintings, poetry and religious symbols. What is though so special in climbing the top of Mount Fuji, being only 3776 meter high? Writing about mountain climbing is usually related to Mount Everest and K2 and other really high peaks. I will tell you it is the feeling you will experience after having been there that is so unique! First of all it is a trip a tourist can perform by just being in a normal physical condition. If you have the right equipment and go during the season, almost everybody will manage. But remember, even during the season the climate can change from summer to winter. The fauna varies from almost impenetrable woods and bushes to hard volcano rocks. You can avoid these by following the marked trails. Some years back, the woods of Fuji was the arena for a lot of suicides among young people; They went into the woods and never came back! They could not find their way back, and as strange as it sounds, magnetic compasses do not work because of all the lava stone. The Japanese experience something superstitious that attracts you to this holy mountain and the saying goes like this: “To climb Fuji once is wise, to climb it twice is to proclaim oneself a fool”. 
Having prepared yourself the best way, you will go either by train or bus to what they call Fifth station, which is located at approximately 2300 meters. From here you have no choice: start walking. Plan for approximately 5-6 hours to get to the top. You can choose between starting in the evening and sleep over in one of the primitive mountain huts or start around midnight from The Fifth station, doing it all in one stretch.. Remember to bring some water and food as the price of the food at the huts increases according to the altitude.
--Bjørn Lødøen
