Mt. Fuji, as many of you know, is the highest Japanese mountain, and many people have gotten to that top. However, it is lower than some of the highest mountains of other countries. It, in fact, is lower than Mt. Jade, which is the highest Taiwanese mountain.
Although Mt. Fuji is relatively “low” as the highest mountain of one country, we must not assume climbing is easy. I quite often fish at one of 5 lakes around the foot of it and struggle due to the notorious gust. My cane pole broke once when I cast the line against the wind. I can easily assume the wind blows harder once we get to the high spot of the mountain. Also, the temperature around the top is approximately only 40℉ even in August. Hence, there are some strict rules for climbing it.
Mt. Fuji is closed as of September 10 this year. No one is allowed to climb it till it opens again next year. The gate is closed, but some people recklessly break through it and climb. Unfortunately, some of these people are foreign climbers. Let us refrain from this since the consequence can be fatal, but if foreigners keep breaking rules, the requirements for short-term visitor’s visa (including the visa exemption program) might get stricter.