Key Points
- The historic connection between Mt. Fuji and the United Kingdom continues, honoring Sir Rutherford Alcock, the first foreigner to climb the mountain in 1860.
- Traditional “Yamabiraki” (mountain opening) ceremonies at Murayama Sengen Shrine involve local youth and representatives from the British Embassy to foster international friendship.
- The “Kan Fujisan Meibutsu Gourmet Grand Prix” promotes local food culture across 17 municipalities surrounding the mountain, highlighting regional ingredients.
- New residents and local entrepreneurs are revitalizing the region by creating award-winning dishes that celebrate the natural blessings of the Mt. Fuji area.
Full Transcript (English)
Narrator: In 1860, the British Minister Sir Rutherford Alcock became the first recorded foreigner to climb Mt. Fuji. 166 years since that first step, the history at the foot of Mt. Fuji has continued unbroken. Today, we explore the current state of the mountain’s foothills with Rieko Oda, a career counselor and member of the Small and Medium Enterprise Association in Fujinomiya.
Host (Tomoyuki Mishima): Today is the mountain opening ceremony. I’ve heard that members of the British Embassy are attending. I want to investigate the relationship between Mt. Fuji and the UK.
Narrator: We first visited Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha. During the ceremony, children and international guests gathered to celebrate the season. We then moved to Murayama Sengen Shrine, a site where pilgrims historically began their ascent.
Guest (Akihiro Akano): The origin of this connection goes back to the 50th anniversary of our city’s founding. My father was a representative at the shrine back then. When we researched who the first foreigner to climb Mt. Fuji was, we discovered it was Sir Rutherford Alcock. We reached out to the British Embassy to see if they would participate in our mountain opening ceremony. They agreed, and for over 30 years now, they have sent representatives every year. In the first year, they even came in traditional costumes with instruments.
Guest (Emily Metens, British Embassy): Mt. Fuji is a very important symbol for Japan, but it is also a special mountain for British people. I believe this is a wonderful example of how the UK and Japan have connected at a people-to-people level. Alcock’s legacy continues to support our bilateral relationship.
Guest (Akinobu Shinohara, Mayor of Fujinomiya): During the ritual, I wrote a prayer for everyone’s happiness and for peaceful times. Regardless of nationality, being able to spend this calm time together with the children and our British guests is very valuable. This connection is a great asset for our region.
Narrator: While tradition is preserved, new efforts are blooming. The “Kan Fujisan Meibutsu Gourmet Grand Prix” is a project where 17 municipalities around Mt. Fuji promote their local food through video. Rieko Oda serves as the executive chairperson.
Guest (Rieko Oda): When you see these foods in videos, you naturally want to eat them. We created opportunities every October for people to actually taste these dishes. People in this region feel a sense of mission—that because we have such wonderful blessings, we must share them and protect them.
Narrator: At the awards ceremony held at Sengen Taisha, the Grand Prix was awarded to a team that recently moved to the area.
Guest (Ayumi Kanno, Winner): Since moving to Fuji City, I’ve been overwhelmed by the quality of the agricultural products and the blessings of the land. I started this project because I wanted to create something using these ingredients. More than anything, I want the local children to grow up loving this region. Through our activities, we want to rediscover and communicate the charms of Fuji that even locals might take for granted.
Guest (Rieko Oda): It’s been an intense and wonderful day. Seeing everyone so passionate about their local culture and food—it’s not just about business. It’s about the pride of living here. These everyday values are our greatest strength.
