Publications
Types of Architectural Compositions of komainu Guardian Lions of Sengen (Asama) Shrines
Research on the architectural compositions of komainu, guardian lion sculptures at Sengen (Asama) shrines, reveals that over half exhibit hybrid styles blending 'edo'-kotori and 'edo'-tamatori elements, challenging existing stylistic classifications. This diversity may stem from the influence of Fuji (Fujiko) faith, supported by unique komainu found in Fujizukas. The study categorizes komainu into three distinct types based on compositions: one featuring a seated lion with a grinning expression and a paw resting on a lion cub or ball; another mounted on fujizuka-shaped mounds, illustrating the proverb Shishi-no-ko-otoshi; and a third, simpler type where one lion growls. Variations within these types were identified across multiple prefectures, including inversions where the lion cub is part of the left sculpture. The research provides insights into the cultural and religious significance of komainu in Sengen shrines.
Fenomena Overtourism di Kawasan Gunung Fuji dan Sekitarnya
Overtourism at Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, has intensified due to its global appeal and robust infrastructure, leading to significant impacts across economic, environmental, personal safety, and socio-cultural dimensions. The study highlights that while tourism boosts the local economy, it also strains natural resources, compromises visitor safety, and disrupts traditional cultural practices. Government policies aimed at mitigating these effects are analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach. This research underscores the need for balanced tourism management to preserve Mount Fuji's heritage while addressing the challenges posed by its growing popularity.
Fuji
Mount Fuji, Japan's iconic and UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, embodies profound contradictions—simultaneously a symbol of national unity and a historical flashpoint for conflict. Its geological history, marked by violent eruptions dating back to the Ice Age, reveals a dynamic landscape shaped by both natural forces and human reverence. As a sacred site, Fuji has evolved in its spiritual significance, reflecting cultural shifts over millennia. While its majestic presence has inspired art and literature, its base harbors industrial pollution and military training grounds, illustrating complex human-landscape relationships. This panoramic study traces Fuji's trajectory from its remote origins to modern recognition, offering a meditation on how landscapes both challenge and inspire.
Influence of conservation messages and psychological factors on non-native plants removal behaviors
Conservation messages can significantly influence visitor behavior, but their effectiveness depends on the norm level and target audience. A field experiment at Mount Fuji revealed that while knowledge and perceived behavioral control promoted the removal of non-native plant seeds from shoes, positive attitudes and higher awe had a negative impact. The study highlights the importance of strategic message selection to enhance conservation behaviors, even through short interventions like signboards.
Messaging effects and psychological drivers for conservation behaviors at Mt. Fuji, Japan
A field experiment at Mount Fuji, Japan, revealed that conservation messages can significantly influence visitor behavior, such as using cleaning mats to remove non-native plant seeds from shoes. While knowledge and perceived behavioral control positively correlated with participation, positive attitudes toward the behavior and higher awe levels paradoxically reduced engagement. The study also found that message effectiveness varied depending on social norms, suggesting tailored messaging could enhance conservation efforts. Short interventions like signboards proved effective, emphasizing the importance of strategic communication in promoting pro-conservation behaviors at World Heritage Sites.
Aesthetic emotional reactions and their verbal expression in a corpus of Japanese travellers’ online reviews
Aesthetic emotional reactions to UNESCO World Heritage Sites are culturally influenced and not universally consistent, according to a study analyzing 1,100 Japanese travelers' reviews. The research, using Conceptual Metaphor Theory, identified four primary aesthetic emotions—pleasure, contemplation, amazement, and respect—and demonstrated that their verbal expressions are rooted in embodied psychological and behavioral changes. By examining a corpus of TripAdvisor reviews from 2012 to 2022 for Mount Fuji, Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine, and the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome, the study revealed that these emotions are shaped by cultural context, challenging the notion of their universality.
Association between high cardiac output at altitude and acute mountain sickness: preliminary study on Mt. Fuji
A preliminary study on Mt. Fuji reveals that individuals experiencing acute mountain sickness (AMS) exhibit significantly higher cardiac index (CI) and changes in CI compared to those without AMS at high altitudes. The research, involving 11 volunteers ascending from 2,380 m to the Mt. Fuji Research Station (MFRS) at 3,775 m, found that AMS subjects had a median CI of 4.9 mL/min/m² before sleeping and a ΔCI increase of 1.6 mL/min/m² compared to non-AMS subjects. Notably, ΔCI dropped significantly after sleeping in AMS individuals, suggesting an association between high cardiac output and the development of AMS. This study sheds light on the potential role of cardiovascular responses in altitude-related illness.
Management of land use in heritage tourism: Case study Mount Fuji (Japan) and Mount Merapi (Indonesia)
Tourism policies, more than environmental protection measures or population growth, drive forest loss in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A comparative study of Mount Fuji (Japan) and Mount Merapi (Indonesia) reveals that while both sites employ zoning systems for land use management, Indonesia's fragmented governance—where different institutions oversee each zone—contrasts with Japan's integrated national park system. Despite these differences, tourism development consistently outpaces conservation efforts, often compelling governments to reform policies only under pressure from influential stakeholders like UNESCO. The research highlights that population growth alone does not determine land degradation; instead, poorly aligned tourism strategies accelerate deforestation rates.
Revisiting Mt Fuji’s groundwater origins with helium, vanadium and environmental DNA tracers
A groundbreaking study challenges the long-held belief that Mount Fuji's groundwater system operates as a simple, laminar flow with minimal vertical exchange between its three basaltic aquifers. Utilizing a unique combination of microbial environmental DNA, vanadium, and helium tracers, researchers have uncovered evidence of deep circulation and previously unknown deep groundwater contributions to Fuji's freshwater springs. This finding is particularly significant along the tectonically active Fujikawa-kako Fault Zone, where substantial upwelling occurs. The study not only broadens the hydrogeological understanding of Mount Fuji but also demonstrates the potential of integrating environmental DNA with noble gas and trace element analyses in groundwater science.
“Diffused Geoparks”: Territorial Integration as Solution for a Shared Sustainable Growth Based on Geotourism in Italy, Japan and Tunisia
A novel approach to integrating UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) with their surrounding areas, termed 'Diffused Geoparks,' is proposed as a strategy for sustainable geotourism development. This concept addresses the limitations of current UGGp models by expanding protection and management beyond designated boundaries to include linked natural, social, and cultural sites. The study, conducted across Italy, Japan, and Tunisia—including some UNESCO-listed cultural sites—demonstrates how territorial integration can foster local economic growth while preserving intangible heritage values. A five-step analytical framework was applied to assess the potential of geotourism as a driver for sustainable development in these regions.
Donne e spazi sacri in Giappone: culto e miniature del Fuji a Edo
A study reveals that the centuries-old practice of excluding women from sacred sites (nyonin kekkai) began to dissolve in Japan around a decade before its formal abolition in 1872, particularly within the cult of Mt. Fuji during Edo period. This shift was marked by the emergence of miniature Fuji replicas (Fujizuka), which allowed both men and women to engage in climbing rituals, while women increasingly defied restrictions by pilgriming to the real mountain and attempting summits. The research highlights how social norms around female impurity began to erode, though lingering attitudes persisted even after legal changes. The study combines historical analysis with cultural critique to explore these dynamics.
Structural Analysis of the Dance Within the Odaidai Ceremony of Kawaguchi Asama Shrine: Choreography, Music, and Meaning
The Odaidai ceremony at Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, a unique kagura dance performed annually to appease Mt. Fuji and prevent volcanic eruptions, retains deep ritualistic significance despite its contemporary role as entertainment. This study reveals that the dance's choreography and music, though transmitted orally without theatrical elements, preserve embedded ritual connotations when executed correctly. By analyzing repetitive sections of the performance, researchers identified connections between movements and religio-ritual meaning, challenging existing definitions of kagura functionality. The findings suggest that even as the ceremony's original purpose has faded from collective memory, its structural integrity sustains its symbolic power.
Does change in barometric pressure per given time at high altitude influence symptoms of acute mountain sickness on Mount Fuji? A pilot study
A pilot study on Mount Fuji reveals that changes in barometric pressure during ascent, combined with sleep quality factors such as sleepiness and refreshment, significantly influence the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS). The research surveyed 353 trekkers, finding a 41.4% prevalence of AMS at the summit. Using logistic regression, the study identified three key predictors: barometric pressure changes per hour, sleepiness upon waking, and perceived sleep refreshment. These findings suggest that climbers can mitigate AMS risk by maintaining better physical condition and monitoring barometric conditions, though overnight stays at mid-altitude lodges did not necessarily reduce AMS incidence across age or sex groups up to 3776 meters.
Effect of Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Solution Including Bicarbonate Ion Ad Libitum Ingestion on Urine Bicarbonate Retention during Mountain Trekking: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study
A pilot study on Mount Fuji demonstrates that a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution containing bicarbonate ions significantly increases urine bicarbonate retention during mountain trekking to 3000 meters, compared to tap water. This suggests that the bicarbonate buffering system is enhanced with such supplementation, potentially offering benefits for endurance and altitude adaptation in lowlanders. The randomized, double-blind study involved 16 healthy participants who consumed either a bicarbonate-enriched solution or tap water while climbing, with energy expenditure and heart rate monitored continuously. Results showed a higher bicarbonate balance in the treatment group (−0.37 ± 0.77 mmol) versus the control group (−2.23 ± 0.96 mmol), highlighting the potential of this approach for high-altitude trekking.
Changes in urinary catecholamine, heart rate, blood pressure and double product during ascent of one-day Mt. Fuji hiking in Japanese young males
Hiking Mount Fuji induces significant physiological stress, marked by elevated urinary catecholamines and cardiac overload indices. A study of six young male hikers found that heart rate, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and double product were significantly higher at the summit (3,776 m) compared to sea level and the 5th Station (2,400 m), with a notable drop in oxygen saturation. These changes correlate with increased adrenergic sympathetic nervous activity, likely driven by hypobaric hypoxia, temperature drops, and exercise intensity. Even at lower altitudes, such as the 5th Station, catecholamine levels rose significantly, indicating that altitude-related stress begins well before reaching the summit.
National geographic distribution and number of TV nature programs across the Japanese archipelago
A significant correlation exists between the number of TV nature programs and the presence of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WNHS, WCHS) across Japan's archipelago. The study analyzed 4,117 nature programs covering 1,691 locations from 2004 to 2017, revealing that sites like Shiretoko Peninsula, Yakushima Island, and Mount Fuji were prominently featured. Notably, the presence of famous mountains (Hyakumeizan) became a strong predictor of program frequency post-2012, aligning with rising mountaineering trends. The research suggests that heritage site designations enhance cultural ecosystem services (CES) by fostering education, aesthetic enjoyment, and nature experiences through media, offering valuable insights for policy and ecosystem management.
Beginning of Modernization of Mountain Huts on the Yoshida Trail, Mt. Fuji
Mount Fuji's mountain huts, originally serving pilgrims during the Edo era, underwent significant modernization beginning in the Meiji period (late 19th to early 20th century), transitioning from traditional stone structures to more modern facilities. This study reveals that while some huts retained their historical forms, others, particularly at key trail junctions like the eighth station, were expanded and transformed into lodgings, a post office, and first aid stations, reflecting Japan's shift toward alpinism and international tourism. The research, combining historical analysis, interviews, and field surveys, highlights how government regulations—such as those by Governor Chiyozaburo Takeda—and the influence of local stakeholders, including former oshi (pilgrim guides) and business owners, drove these changes. By the Taisho era, this modernization disrupted the equalities among huts that had existed under Edo-era ownership, marking a pivotal shift in Mt. Fuji's cultural landscape.
Comparing Automated and Manual Visitor Monitoring Methods: Integrating Parallel Datasets on Mount Fuji’s North Face
A study on Mount Fuji's North Face reveals that automated visitor monitoring methods, such as passive infrared counters, significantly underreport climber traffic during peak periods like Friday and Saturday nights. The research integrated parallel datasets from the 6th (2390 m) and 8th (3000 m) stations, demonstrating temporal fluctuations in error rates between manual and automated counts. While a calibration correction coefficient was identified for more accurate data generation, the study underscores the need for further observational studies to refine monitoring methods. Improved visitor data reliability is crucial for addressing management challenges, including congestion and environmental impacts, and offers actionable insights for park planners and the Fujisan World Cultural Heritage Council.
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