Climbing Mount Fuji at 50: A Journey of Breath, Grit, and Letting Go

I turned 50 this year and wanted to take on something I had never done before. Something physical, meaningful, and connected to nature and heritage. Climbing Mount Fuji felt like the right challenge. A national park. A UNESCO World Heritage site. A sacred mountain where people have gone for centuries to clear their minds and reset their souls.

I joined a guided Sunshine Tour that included transportation, gear rental, meals, and a mountain hut stay. It made the logistics easier, but there was one thing we couldn’t control: the weather.

Before we began our ascent, our guide shared two pieces of advice I’ll never forget.
“Breathe out slowly, like you’re blowing out a candle.”
“Cross your arms and gently sway your body side to side to conserve energy.”

It reminded me of swimming. That balance of breath, rhythm, and efficiency. A quiet discipline that helps you keep going.

The rain started early. On and off at first. Most of the time we saw only white around us, but occasionally we caught a glimpse of blue sky or a patch of green. Those rare moments felt like small blessings.

By the time we arrived at Goraikou-kan, the 8.5th station, around 5 PM, we were completely soaked. My gloves, boots, and bag were all wet. The rain gear was more water-resistant than waterproof. That night, even with earplugs, I couldn't sleep well. Rain, wind, and distant thunder pounded through the thin walls of the hut.

Our guide told us he would wake us at 2 AM if the weather was good enough to climb. Otherwise, we’d wait until 5. In the end, the wind and rain made it too dangerous to summit. We had to give up the sunrise and begin our descent instead.

We put on our wet gear again and started the three-hour hike down. The trail was slippery with small rocks and gravel, and I had to stay fully present with each step. We took very few and short breaks. It was a different kind of physical challenge, using muscles I don’t usually activate.

I realized something important. Hiking in the rain felt a lot like life. Sometimes you know the conditions won’t be perfect, but you keep going anyway. You can’t cancel certain things. You just move forward.

After the descent, we went to Hana-no-Yu, a local onsen. I loved the smell of iou in the bath. The rotenburo felt amazing on my tired legs. The lunch buffet was also wonderful. Everything about that moment was comforting and grounding.

Would I do it again? Yes. On a clear day, I’d love to try reaching the summit. But even without that, this experience gave me something I didn’t expect. It reminded me of the value of presence, patience, and letting go.

What challenge are you walking through right now? What would it mean to keep going, even in the rain?

Video credit: MJ. Photo credit: the participants.

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