The highest and the most sacred mountain of Japan.
Mt. Fuji (富士山) is the highest mountain, but this is not the only reason why it is so famous. With the perfect shape, the mountain has been depicted in Ukiyoe, and now it is considered as the symbol of Japan.
But did you know that the mountain itself is considered as a God in Japanese religion? This is the reason why there are some precautions we all have to take when going to the mountain. There is an increasing number of Muslims climbing the mountain, on which we would like to give some tips.
Basic knowledge about Mt. Fuji.
Mt. Fuji is located between Yamanashi and Shizuoka. If you want to enjoy Mt. Fuji with nature and lakes, then Yamanashi side is better. If you want to feel the height of the mountain, then Shizuoka. Whichever the prefecture you choose, you will be able to enjoy this magnificent Japanese mountain.
There are 4 main entrances to the mountain, 1 in Yamanashi called Yoshida route, and 3 in Shizuoka; Suso, Gotenba and Fujinomiya. Yoshida and Fujinomiya routes are the easiest, but it could be more crowded with hikers. Gotenba route is the most difficult, but less crowded.
Yoshida route probably has a very easy access to Tokyo with the largest number of huts, so nearly 60% people choose this route. Still, this route has 16km of walk, which takes about 6 to 7 hours to climb to the top. It requires some physical strength so plan well carefully.
Mt. Fuji is open for climbing from 1 July to 10 September in 2023.
Is there any Halal meal around Mt. Fuji？
On the way to the summit of the mountains, there are quite many shops that sell food and snacks, but it will be extremely difficult to find something Halal for most of Muslim travelers. From this reason, eating and preparing Halal food before climbing the mountain is necessary.
Food menu changes depend on the shop and the time of the year, but if it is emergency, you can choose Zenzai Mochi sweet red bean soup, or Oshiruko, which is without Mochi. These sweets do not contain any haram ingredients.
If you are taking Yoshida route, staying around Kawaguchi Lake is convenient. There are various Halal restaurants ready, including traditional Japanese and Yamanashi local cuisine.
Any place to pray?
Yes, in front of Momoya and Fujimori Shoten in Fuji Kwaguchiko town, there is a small cafe called Kagikake Chaya. This small cafe has prepared a Prayer Room. There is a matt left from previous travelers, too.
Though only one person can fit in the Prayer Room, it was prepared through the courtesy of the cafe, so we would ask you to buy a small item or at least to show them your gratitude.
Name: Kagikake Chaya
Address: 2811 Saiko, Fuji Kawaguchiko cho, Minami Tsuru gun, Yamanashi 山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町西湖2811
Tel: N/A
Prayer room available.
20 minutes’ drive from Fuji Kawaguchiko town, there is a Masjid opened in 2020. If you are staying at this area, going to this Masjid can be a great option, too.
Any precautions?
As mentioned, Mt. Fuji is a very sacred place for Japanese religion and people. Around the summit is considered to be a place where God lives, so showing your respect is quite important.
Some even say that building a religious facility close to the mountain is not favorable, so your cooperation and understanding will be highly appreciated to promote mutual understanding.
Also, it is extremely important to bring all of your garbage with you and tide up the place where you used. Since Mt. Fuji is nominated as UNESCO World Heritage site, the garbage issue is becoming more serious.
It takes so much effort for the people to take all the garbage down to the foot of the mountain, so please be reminded that all the garbage has to be with you until you complete your Mt. Fuji experience.
Enjoy your trip!
If you are not confident in your physical strength, you can enjoy a breathtaking view from the foot of the mountain. If you are very lucky to have enough energy to climb the mountain, we are sure it will be un unforgettable experience in Japan.
Great news is that Mt. Fuji is nearly ready to welcome Muslim tourists, too. Prepare well and enjoy a great touristic spot in Japan!