Climbers and trekkers swarmed over Mount Fuji on Monday, July 1, the first day of the summer climbing season. Officials expect to see far more climbers than usual this season, after the mountain's recent listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Trekkers swarm Mount Fuji —
Climbers and trekkers swarmed over Mount Fuji on Monday, July 1, the first day of the summer climbing season. Officials expect to see far more climbers than usual this season, after the mountain's recent listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mount Fuji can be accessed by bus from Tokyo in roughly two hours. It has been worshiped for centuries and immortalized in countless works of art.
Trekkers swarm Mount Fuji —
Mount Fuji can be accessed by bus from Tokyo in roughly two hours. It has been worshiped for centuries and immortalized in countless works of art.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images
Here, climbers who departed at 3 a.m. celebrate their view of the sunrise from Mount Fuji's summit.
Trekkers swarm Mount Fuji —
Here, climbers who departed at 3 a.m. celebrate their view of the sunrise from Mount Fuji's summit.
STR/AFP/Getty Image
Climbers create a snaking queue of flashlights as they walk the path up the mountain.
Trekkers swarm Mount Fuji —
Climbers create a snaking queue of flashlights as they walk the path up the mountain.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
Mount Fuji's opening ceremony on the first day of the climbing season involves various rituals and ceremonies, including bathing in the waters to cleanse and purify the body.
Trekkers swarm Mount Fuji —
Mount Fuji's opening ceremony on the first day of the climbing season involves various rituals and ceremonies, including bathing in the waters to cleanse and purify the body.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Image
Other ceremonies see monks performing rituals and marching to Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, where they officially declare Mount Fuji open by cutting a symbolic rope.
Trekkers swarm Mount Fuji —
Other ceremonies see monks performing rituals and marching to Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, where they officially declare Mount Fuji open by cutting a symbolic rope.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images