The greater Fuji region is no stranger to mudslides and yukishiro (slush flows), especially places near mountains. When we stayed in the town of Nemba by one of the five great lakes of Fuji, Lake Sai, I was awestruck by the rolling hills covered in thick forest. At first the town struck me as a […]

Katsushika Hokusai’s (1760-1849) Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji is a collection of woodblock prints that depict Japan’s iconic mountain from various angles and perspectives. In one of the more recognizable prints from the series, Fuji commands the entire piece and its steep profile is portrayed using an intense reddish color. This print, known more commonly […]

The sika deer of Japan, shinroku, are considered messengers of the gods in the Shinto Religion. They are regarded as sacred animals and are allowed to roam close to shrines and temples. Because of their religious importance, the deer have been protected by the government. Until 1937 killing one of the deer was punishable by […]

Since coming to Japan, my studies of Mt. Fuji have led me to think of the mountain as primarily a site of religious and cultural significance. Yet since I have been studying Fuji for six weeks, there are differences in how I perceive Fuji compared to how other tourists do. During the climb, I was […]

A week before I left to begin my journey in Japan, I visited the summit of Mauna Kea to watch the sunset and stargaze. Little did I know that I would soon draw intriguing parallels between the mountain of my home and the mountain I would climb on my trip. Now that I have experienced […]