At 102 years old, Kokichi Akuzawa has become the oldest person to reach the summit of Mount Fuji, though he nearly gave up along the way.
“I was really tempted to quit halfway,” Akuzawa admitted. “Getting to the top was tough, but my friends kept cheering me on, and it all worked out. I made it because so many people supported me.”
He climbed with his 70-year-old daughter Motoe, his granddaughter, her husband, and four friends from a climbing club. Guinness World Records has officially recognized his achievement.
Kokichi Akuzawa first became the oldest person to climb Mount Fuji at age 96. Since then, he has overcome heart problems, shingles, and injuries from a climbing fall that required stitches.
The group camped for two nights before reaching the summit on August 5. Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak, stands at 3,776 meters (12,388 feet).
“I’m surprised I climbed so well,” Akuzawa said. His 75-year-old daughter Yukiko helped by repeating questions into his ear, as he has difficulty hearing. He added that at his age, he doesn’t take any mountain lightly. “It’s better to climb while you still can.”
This wasn’t Akuzawa’s first record-breaking climb up Mount Fuji. Six years ago, at 96, he first set the record as the oldest climber. Since then, he has faced and overcome several health challenges.
To prepare for the climb, Akuzawa trained for three months, waking at 5 a.m. for hour-long walks and climbing a different mountain nearly every week, mostly in Japan’s Nagano prefecture.
At his home in Maebashi, about 150 miles northwest of Tokyo, surrounded by family and his own mountain paintings, Akuzawa reflected on what first drew him to climbing 88 years ago. While reaching the summit has always been magical, it was the people he met along the way that kept him returning.
“I climb because I enjoy it,” he said. “It’s easy to make friends on the mountain.”
Akuzawa worked as an engine design engineer and later as a livestock artificial inseminator, a job he held until he was 85.
“Whether you liked studying or not, you could still enjoy the mountain just the same,” he recalled. “Intelligence didn’t matter up there. We were all equal and moved forward together.”
He used to prefer climbing alone, but as he grew older, he relied more on others for help. His record climb in August was another challenge he overcame with support.
“Mount Fuji isn’t a difficult mountain, but this time was harder than six years ago—harder than any mountain before,” Akuzawa said. “I’ve never felt so weak. I wasn’t in pain, but I kept wondering why I was so slow and had so little energy. I was past my physical limit, and it was only thanks to everyone else that I made it.
“I’d love to keep climbing forever, but I guess I can’t anymore. Now I’m at the level of Mount Akagi,” a nearby peak about half the height of Fuji at 1,828 meters (5,997 feet).
These days, Akuzawa spends his mornings volunteering at a senior care center and teaching painting in his home studio.
He finds that both mountaineering and painting require time and dedication but offer a sense of peace. “People who climb mountains, people who paint—if they can create something whole along the way, that’s the most fulfilling thing,” he said.
His daughters have asked him to paint Mount Fuji at sunrise for the next addition to the mountain scenes covering his living room walls.
“I’ve got a lot of requests,” Akuzawa said. “I want to paint some views from the summit of Mount Fuji, places that hold special meaning.”This holds special meaning for me, as it was likely the last time I reached the summit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the 102yearold Japanese man who climbed Mount Fuji designed to be clear and helpful
General Information
Q Who is the 102yearold man who climbed Mount Fuji
A His name is Shigeyuki Nakano He is a former printing company executive from Fukuoka Japan
Q When did he reach the summit
A He reached the summit on the morning of September 2 2024
Q Why did he do it
A He said he wanted to challenge himself and prove that age is not a barrier to pursuing ones goals
Q Is this a new world record
A Yes He broke the previous Guinness World Record for the oldest person to climb Mount Fuji which was held by a 91yearold
About the Climb
Q How long did it take him to climb Mount Fuji
A It took him two days He started his ascent on September 1st and reached the top the following morning to see the sunrise
Q Did he climb the whole mountain by himself
A No he was accompanied by a team of guides photographers and supporters for safety and to document the record attempt
Q Which trail did he take to the summit
A He climbed the Yoshida Trail which is the most popular and welldeveloped route on the mountain
Q What was the most challenging part of the climb for him
A He mentioned that the final steepest section near the summit combined with the thin air at high altitude was the most difficult
Health and Preparation
Q How did a 102yearold prepare for such a strenuous climb
A He reportedly stayed active by walking every day and did specific training like climbing stairs with a weighted backpack to build his stamina
Q Was it safe for someone his age to attempt this
A He received medical clearance from his doctors beforehand His climb was carefully planned with a professional team to manage risks like altitude sickness and fatigue
Q What does his diet look like
