Tokyo, August 5, 2025 — Defying age, illness, and the harsh challenges of high-altitude climbing, Kokichi Akuzawa, a 102-year-old mountaineer from Japan, has become the oldest man to reach the summit of Mount Fuji, the country’s highest peak at 3,776 meters.
Akuzawa, the honorary chairman of the Gunma Mountaineering Club, completed the climb on August 5 at 11 a.m., signing the visitor’s book at the Fujisan Sengen Shrine on the summit. At 102 years and 51 days old, his achievement has been recognised by Guinness World Records.
A Journey Against the Odds
The veteran climber is no stranger to Mount Fuji, having summited the peak multiple times before, most recently at the age of 96. This time, however, the challenge was far greater. Earlier this year, Akuzawa suffered a series of health setbacks — a fall during a local climb, a bout of shingles, and even heart failure.
Determined to recover, he rebuilt his strength with daily hour-long walks and weekly mountain climbs. By summer, he was ready to attempt what no one his age had done before: conquering Mount Fuji once again.
The Ascent
Akuzawa began his climb on August 3 via the Yoshida route, considered the easiest but still demanding. To ease the strain, he spread the ascent over three days, resting in mountain huts along the way. While the first two days were smooth, the third tested his endurance. Near the ninth station, battling cold winds, thin air, and exhaustion, he nearly gave up.
His companions hesitated to push him further, knowing the hardships he had endured in recent months. But Akuzawa pressed on. Finally, under clear skies and steady determination, he stepped onto the summit at 11 a.m. on August 5.
A Historic Feat
Reflecting on his record-breaking climb, Akuzawa admitted he felt relief more than excitement upon reaching the top. “If you ask me now, I’d say never again,” he joked when asked about climbing Mount Fuji in the future. “But maybe next year, I’ll have a different answer.”
In 2022, he marked his 99th birthday by climbing Nabewariyama (1,272 m). Now, three years later, his successful Mount Fuji summit not only crowns his lifelong passion for mountaineering but also serves as an inspiration worldwide — proof that resilience and determination can triumph over age and adversity.