Key Points
Kokichi Akuzawa, aged 102, became the oldest person to summit Mount Fuji on August 5, 2025, as recognized by Guinness World Records.
Akuzawa completed the three-day climb with support from family and friends, overcoming health challenges and difficult terrain.
He trained rigorously for three months prior to the ascent and emphasized the importance of camaraderie during his mountaineering journeys.
Kokichi Akuzawa, a 102-year-old Japanese man from Maebashi, has etched his name in the annals of mountaineering history by becoming the oldest person to summit Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji. His remarkable feat, achieved on August 5, 2025, was officially recognized by Guinness World Records, making headlines across the globe and inspiring people of all ages with his tenacity and spirit.
Akuzawa’s journey to the top of Fuji, which towers at 3,776 meters (12,388 feet) and stands as the country’s tallest peak, was anything but easy. According to the Associated Press, the centenarian was accompanied by a close-knit team: his 70-year-old daughter Motoe, his granddaughter, her husband, and four friends from a local mountain climbing club. The group, united by a shared passion for the mountains and a deep respect for Akuzawa, camped for two nights on the trail before making their final ascent.
Despite his impressive track record—this was not his first time setting the record for the oldest person to scale Fuji—Akuzawa candidly admitted to moments of doubt. “I was really tempted to give up halfway through,” he told the Associated Press. “Reaching the summit was tough, but my friends encouraged me, and it turned out well. I managed to get through it because so many people supported me.”
The climb itself was a true test of endurance. Over the course of three days, Akuzawa and his companions navigated steep, rocky terrain and braved the unpredictable weather that often characterizes Fuji’s slopes. Yet, even as his body protested, Akuzawa’s determination never wavered. “Mount Fuji isn’t a difficult mountain, but this time was harder than six years ago. Harder than any mountain before,” he reflected. “I’ve never felt this weak. I didn’t have pain, but I kept wondering why I was so slow, why I had no stamina. I’d long since passed my physical limit, and it was only thanks to everyone else’s strength that I made it.”
This ascent marked the second time Akuzawa had claimed the record, having previously summited Fuji at age 96 in 2018. In the six years since, he overcame a series of health challenges, including heart issues, shingles, and even stitches from a climbing fall. Each obstacle could have deterred a less resolute individual, but for Akuzawa, they became part of the journey. As he explained, “I climb because I like it. It’s easy to make friends on the mountain.”
Preparation for the climb was rigorous. Akuzawa spent three months training, waking at 5 a.m. for hour-long walks and tackling roughly one mountain each week, mostly around Nagano prefecture. The discipline and commitment required for such training at his age are extraordinary, but Akuzawa approached it with characteristic humility and resolve. “Whether you liked studying or not, you could enjoy the mountain just the same,” he said, reflecting on the egalitarian nature of mountaineering. “Intelligence didn’t matter up there. We were all on equal footing and moved forward together.”
Akuzawa’s life has been defined by hard work and a love for the outdoors. A capable student, he worked as an engine design engineer and later as a livestock artificial inseminator, a profession he held until the age of 85. His passion for climbing began as a teenager, and over nearly nine decades, he has forged countless friendships and memories among Japan’s peaks. Yet, as time has passed, Akuzawa has come to rely more on the support of others. Once an avid solo climber, he now embraces the camaraderie and assistance of his climbing partners. His 75-year-old daughter Yukiko, for instance, played a crucial role during interviews, repeating questions into his ear due to his hearing difficulties.
The climb was not just a personal achievement but a shared triumph for Akuzawa’s family and friends. The group’s encouragement and collective effort were instrumental in helping him reach the summit. The sense of unity and mutual support was palpable, turning a daunting challenge into a memorable adventure. “It’s better to climb while you still can,” Akuzawa remarked, underscoring his philosophy of seizing opportunities and cherishing the present.
Now, with his record-setting days on Fuji possibly behind him, Akuzawa is turning his attention to other pursuits. He spends his mornings volunteering at a senior care center and teaching painting in his home studio. Surrounded by family and framed paintings of mountain ranges, he finds peace and fulfillment in art—a passion that, much like climbing, demands patience and dedication. “People who climb mountains, people who paint; if they can create something whole on that path, that’s the most fulfilling thing,” he shared with a smile.
His daughters have already requested that he paint Fuji at sunrise, adding to the collection of mountain scenes that adorn his living room walls. “I’ve got a lot of requests,” Akuzawa said, prompting laughter from his family. “I want to paint some scenes from the summit of Mount Fuji, places that hold special memories for me, since this was likely my last time reaching the top.”
While Akuzawa has hinted that he may not attempt Mount Fuji again, he remains open to climbing smaller peaks, such as nearby Mount Akagi, which stands at about half Fuji’s height. His enduring love for the mountains and his zest for life continue to inspire those around him, proving that age is no barrier to adventure or achievement.
Akuzawa’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of community, and the enduring allure of nature’s challenges. As Guinness World Records and the Associated Press have highlighted, his accomplishment is not just a personal milestone but a celebration of the human spirit’s capacity to endure, adapt, and thrive—even at 102.
For Kokichi Akuzawa, the summit of Mount Fuji is more than a destination; it is a symbol of resilience, friendship, and the joy of pursuing one’s passions to the very end.
AloJapan.com