The Peeking Post Office: Staff Share the Secrets of the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office.
INDEX
- "Mt. Fuji Reckless Climbing Fashion," as spotted by the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office staff!
- Don't be reckless when climbing Mt. Fuji - wear clothing suitable for mountain climbing
- A place with limited human resources and equipment that requires a flexible response
- After the COVID-19 pandemic, it is once again a place where people from all over the world visit. A special post office with views and encounters that you can only get here.
The Mount Fuji Summit Post Office opened its doors for a limited period from July 10 to August 20 to match the Mt. Fuji climbing season. As the number of foreign climbers on the mountain has been increasing rapidly, so too have accidents caused by overly rapid climbing and inadequate preparation. Some of these have been due to an increasing number of climbers being reckless by wearing light clothing or other outfits unsuitable for mountain climbing. In an effort to prevent accidents and raise awareness, we are presenting a fashion show of the "reckless clothing" actually witnessed by employees at the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office.
"Mt. Fuji Reckless Climbing Fashion," as spotted by the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office staff!
At first glance, this outfit seems suitable for mountain climbing, but the waist pack cannot hold a change of clothes, a raincoat, or drinking water in case of an emergency. It is completely inadequate for climbing Mt. Fuji.
Mt. Fuji is covered with volcanic ash and hard rocks, not soft soil. Bare feet and sandals pose a risk of foot injury. And wearing only a short-sleeved T-shirt may lead to hypothermia.
A folding umbrella cannot handle the wind and rain on Mt. Fuji, and there is a danger of slipping and falling due to the wind, or of even hurting other climbers should the umbrella be blown away. A sturdy raincoat is essential.
Ordinary sneakers are not strong enough to handle climbing rocky Mt. Fuji. And even in summer, the temperature at the top of the mountain is around 10℃, so short sleeves and shorts will not help you to withstand the cold.
Although it is good to be prepared, carrying excessive equipment is dangerous. The weight of the equipment can sap not only your strength but also your energy, which may lead to accidents. It is also good manners to take trash home with you when climbing Mt. Fuji. Avoid carrying excessive equipment, and take responsibility for your own garbage by bringing it home with you.
Your feet may feel comfortable, but running shoes have thin soles and are not suitable for Mt. Fuji, which is covered in loose gravel. Without a jacket, raincoat, or drinking water, one will be ill-prepared for climbing Mt. Fuji.
Sporty clothing is not necessarily suitable for mountain climbing. If you are aiming to summit Mt. Fuji, hiking boots or trekking shoes are best, not sneakers. A backpack is also essential for carrying items like a jacket or raincoat.
Bare feet and sandals pose a risk of hurting your feet on rocks and other objects while climbing. Jeans are also unsuitable for climbing. And a thin, unlined windbreaker will not stand up to the harsh wind, rain, and temperatures on Mt. Fuji.
Casual sporty fashion is nothing more than light clothing when climbing Mt. Fuji. It is a very dangerous outfit, as it does not protect you from the cold and does not prepare you for emergencies.
What we have just introduced above was a "fashion show" of reckless clothing seen on people climbing Mt. Fuji.These are actual, real-life examples of reckless fashion worn by climbers. Please do not imitate them in any way.
Don't be reckless when climbing Mt. Fuji - wear clothing suitable for mountain climbing
With an elevation of 3,776 meters, the oxygen levels and average temperatures on Mt. Fuji are lower than in the flat land below, and the weather is very changeable, making the journey to the summit a harsh environment. That means appropriate clothing and equipment for climbing are crucial for a safe ascent. The first step is to prepare the right equipment to protect yourself. Remember the essentials.
We recommend functional inner wear with excellent absorbency and quick-drying properties. Wear layers so that you can cope with the great temperature differences on Mt. Fuji. Hats should be adjustable in size and have strings to prevent them from being blown off.
Be prepared for rain by always wearing rain gear with separate upper and lower layers that can be taken off. A sack cover over your backpack will make it safer and more secure.
[Basic equipment suitable for climbing Mt. Fuji]
- Rain wear
- Backpack
- Boots/trekking shoes
- Warm clothes (fleece)
- Trekking pants
- Compression tights
- Hat
- Trekking poles
- Headlamp
- Compression shorts
- Knee supports
- Outer gloves
It is also a good idea to carry a helmet, mask, sunglasses, and personal items such as portable oxygen cylinders, high-energy food, and mobile batteries.
Reference: Official Fujiyoshida Travel Guide
A place with limited human resources and equipment that requires a flexible response
We asked Mr. Yuuki Nakano, who worked at the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office last year, about his work on the summit, the changes he saw in the field after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the experiences that can only be had there.
Nagoya Akatsubo Post Office
Mr. Yuuki Nakano
Usually there are three employees working at the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office. Business hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and the counter accepts regular mail (including foreign addresses), sells postage stamps, imprints landscape stamps commemorating the summit, and sells climbing certificates and original products.
"As soon as we open for business, customers come in one after another, so the three of us work together as a team. The Mount Fuji Summit Post Office also collects and postmarks mail that is deposited in the outdoor mailbox. Last year, company representatives came to our post office and deposited approximately 3,000 postcards in our mailbox, saying that they wanted their customers to receive mail postmarked by the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office. I remember the sight of them stamping all of those cards." (Mr. Nakano)
The summit of Mt. Fuji only has the Sengen Taisha shrine and the post office. Because of this special situation, Mr. Nakano says that helping customers in need is another reason why the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office exists.
"If there is a person in trouble, we want to help them with the utmost priority on human life. Even if it is not our primary business, we want to do what we can to help customers in any way possible." (Mr. Nakano)
After the COVID-19 pandemic, it is once again a place where people from all over the world visit. A special post office with views and encounters that can only be had here.
The number of climbers from outside Japan increased sharply last year as COVID-19 was reclassified to a category 5 infection. The Mount Fuji Summit Post Office was also visited by many foreigners.
"My impression is that about 60% of our customers were from abroad. It was especially difficult to deal with customers who did not speak English well. I had to use body language too. Looking back on it now, it was fun, but that was the most difficult part." (Mr. Nakano)
He also met some remarkable customers.
"An 80-year-old man traveling on foot along the old Tokaido Highway came to our post office and we talked a lot. He lives in Kobe, but later he once traveled all the way to the Nagoya post office where I work. I was surprised and happy because I did not expect him to come from so far away. I think it was because I worked at the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office that I was able to have such a wonderful encounter." (Mr. Nakano)
Nakano says there are also views that can only be had by working at the top of Mt. Fuji.
"Only at the top of Mt. Fuji can you see both Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka at once. That view was breathtaking. The night view is also spectacular, and if the weather is good, you can even spot Tokyo off in the distance. Some employees saw the fireworks displays held at Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka at the same time, though I unfortunately was not able to see them. This is also a view you can only enjoy if you are working at the top of the mountain." (Mr. Nakano)
We also spoke with Mr. Keiji Naganawa, who normally works at a post office in Gifu Prefecture, but is working at the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office this year.
Kakamigahara Higashi Post Office
Mr. Keiji Naganawa
Mount Fuji Summit Post Office employees headed for the summit by bulldozer, but unfortunately the day Mr. Naganawa and his colleagues departed was a bad weather day. He described how they suddenly experienced Mt. Fuji's harsh environment.
"The rain and wind were quite strong, so I wondered if we would be able to make the ascent even with the bulldozer, but ultimately we made it without incident. However, the weather conditions were such that we would never want ordinary climbers to go up there." (Mr. Naganawa)
On the day of our visit, the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office was filled with many foreign climbers, and a variety of languages were being spoken. We were impressed by Mr. Naganawa's courteous response to each one of them.
"First of all, I think it is important to listen carefully to what the other person has to say. Then, even if you don't understand their words, you will still be able to communicate with them. I start with simple greetings such as 'welcome' and 'thank you,' and then we communicate using feelings and gestures." (Mr. Naganawa)
Mr. Naganawa's work period this time was five days. We asked him how he is planning to spend his time there.
"This is a great opportunity, so I want to make 'enjoyment' a priority while I work.In my free time, I would like to try things like circling the Ohachi crater on Mt. Fuji's summit. I want to give work my all while also enjoying the experience." (Mr. Naganawa)
Naganawa says it is also important to follow the rules and manners on the mountain in order to enjoy the time spent at the summit.
"For example, take your trash and whatever else you brought back home with you. I think this is important to protect Mt. Fuji's natural environment, and it will also help the next person who climbs the mountain. I hope those who come to Mt. Fuji will ensure that they observe these rules and use good manners." (Mr. Naganawa)
It is not difficult to follow the rules and use good manners on the mountain, such as taking trash back home with you and wearing appropriate clothing for climbing. Observing those rules and manners will ultimately lead to the protection of the nature on Mt. Fuji, as well as the protection of your own life, which is really important. Keeping this in mind, we hope you will enjoy a safe and secure climb of Mt. Fuji, and that visitors from abroad will stop by the Mount Fuji Summit Post Office.
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