Mountaineer Yoshinobu Sanekawa is known as "Mr. Fuji."
He is currently attempting to break the record for climbing Mount Fuji, and has even managed to reach the summit twice in one day.
We asked him what prompted him to start keeping records.
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Yoshinobu Jitsukawa
Born in Yokohama and currently living in Numazu. He began climbing Mt. Fuji in 1985, and in 2010 he achieved his 1,000th summit, receiving a special commendation from the president of the Japan Alpine Club. He served as a torchbearer for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In November 2022, he will have reached the summit of Mt. Fuji 2,174 times.
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- "Please tell us about your work and activities in the mountains."
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- "I am a member of the Japan Alpine Club, a mountaineering guide, and give lectures."
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- "What made you first start climbing Mount Fuji?"
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- "I've always loved fields and mountains, and was a member of the company's mountaineering club. When I was 42, I climbed Mount Fuji for the first time with my family of five, and I remember being moved by the view of the sea of clouds at the summit.
After that, the Chinese trainees at my workplace told me they wanted to climb Mt. Fuji, so I started guiding them on trips to climb Mt. Fuji about five or six times a year. I made some great memories with the trainees, and every summer they started wanting to climb Mt. Fuji.
The wonderful memories I have from climbing Mount Fuji naturally make me want to head there again."
The wonderful memories of Mt. Fuji motivate Mr. Sanekawa to visit Mt. Fuji again.
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- What made you start to focus on records?
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- "When a colleague at work saw me climbing Mount Fuji several times a year, he said to me, 'If you climb it that many times, why don't you try to break a record?' That's when I started to focus on the number of times."
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- "Is Mount Fuji the only place you climb?"
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- "No, I have conquered the highest peaks on six continents, including the highest peak in Antarctica. I have attempted to climb Everest three times, but on my first attempt, six Sherpas who were supposed to be experienced at the climb died in an avalanche.
The second time, an avalanche occurred, and the blast blew away the tent of the climbing team, killing nine people, including a Japanese. The third time, I lost three fingers on my left hand from the first joint down to frostbite.
At that time, I gave up on climbing Everest, but I decided to try and improve my record by climbing Mt. Fuji." - *
- "You have attempted Everest many times under such harsh conditions. In November 2022, you will have reached the summit of Mt. Fuji 2,174 times. How long do you plan to continue attempting to summit Mt. Fuji?"
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- "For now, I will continue to climb Mt. Fuji 2,230 times this season, as long as I live."
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- "What are the challenges you face in continuing to take on this challenge?"
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- "It's a battle against the decline of muscle strength and motor nerves as we age. If we give up, it's all over. Never give up!"
If you give up, it's over. The "never give up" spirit is important, says Yoshinobu Sanekawa.
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- "What do you find rewarding or enjoyable about working or doing activities in the mountains?"
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- "It was an encounter with the unknown, with all things in the universe. I met many people. I met and spoke with the famous Yuichiro Miura and the Crown Prince in the mountains.
You will also meet other tourists and climbers from overseas. Because Mount Fuji is loved all over the world, you will meet many new people.
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- "Mountain climbing isn't just about climbing mountains and enjoying the scenery, it's also a place where you can meet new people and get inspired. It makes me want to try mountain climbing myself. What do you always carry with you when you go mountain climbing?"
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- “I make sure I drink plenty of fluids before a climb, at least two litres.
I always bring rain gear, salty candy or chocolate, gloves, sunscreen, a headlamp, a whistle, and a hat. - *
- "When climbing mountains, is there anything you pay attention to, such as your footing or clothing?"
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- "For the base layer, I wear an inner T-shirt that is moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and cool to the touch all year round. On top of that I wear a long-sleeved shirt, rolling up the sleeves when it's hot and taking them down when it's cold.
The temperature of Mount Fuji changes instantly. I climb in an energy-saving way, so I don't get out of breath, so I think I sweat less than the average person.
I wear thick socks, especially to protect my big toe nails."
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- "You wore Il Roro socks during this mountain climbing trip. What did you think?"
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- "The material feels good on my feet and fits my feet well, so it's easy to walk in. The socks are also thick, so they reduce the impact on my knees, especially when descending, and they also protect my toenails. The design is also great, making hiking more fun.
I've only used it twice so I can't tell you how durable it is. The most important thing is to compare the price and durability. - *
- "I heard you tried the T-shirts too. What did you think?"
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- "The T-shirt has a nice design and feels nice to the touch, and the size fits my body perfectly, so it's comfortable to wear. Personally, I like T-shirts with vertical collars. (I haven't seen many of them for sale, so maybe there isn't a demand for them...)"
We received a letter and a photo of the customer's impressions of wearing Il Roro.
Please continue to try it out and let us know your feedback.
Sanekawa says that once he falls in love with something, he is the type of person who becomes passionate about it.
Sanekawa plans to attempt Everest again in 2024.
Thank you for a powerful story.
The socks we tried this time are the Peak Hunt Wool Socks - Flashy Line BIG LOGO from Il Roro.
Peak Hunt Wool Socks are mid-weight socks developed for mountaineers.
By providing moderate pressure in the calf area, it supports the calves, which are prone to fatigue.
The support and cushioning on the sole of the foot reduces the impact of landing.
Wool's inherent antibacterial and deodorizing properties help keep the fabric clean for a long period of time.
It can be used for a variety of occasions, including outdoor activities that require overnight stays, as well as sports.
Il Roro's functional innerwear "NIKKE AXIO wool logo T-shirt." Also available in plain colors
We use NIKKE AXIO, which is made by twisting filaments inside the fiber bundles of Australian Merino wool, making it thin, strong, and extremely comfortable.
While taking full advantage of the inherent wool characteristics of softness, sweat resistance, and odor resistance, this T-shirt is strong, quick-drying, and stretchy, and is durable and long-lasting, with less pilling. It is comfortable to wear and maintains its beauty even after long-term wear.