In an extraordinary display of resilience and determination, Kokichi Akuzawa, a 102-year-old Japanese man, has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest person ever to climb Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest and most iconic peak.
Born in 1923, Akuzawa isn’t new to mountains — but this time, he scaled Fuji under extraordinary circumstances. Just months before his climb in August, he was hospitalised with shingles and heart failure following a fall during a local mountain walk near his home in Gunma Prefecture.
Despite concerns from his family and doctors, Akuzawa was determined to bounce back. And he did.
Akuzawa began a strict self-devised training regimen:
- Daily 1-hour morning walks
- Weekly mountain hikes
- Gradual rebuilding of stamina and altitude tolerance
His daughter Yukiko, 75, said doctors were astonished by how quickly he regained strength:
“The recovery was so fast that his doctors could not believe it.”
Mount Fuji stands at 3,776 meters (12,388 feet). Akuzawa tackled the ascent over three days, spending two nights in mountain huts. The altitude nearly made him give up, but with the support of his granddaughter — a trained nurse — and other companions, he pushed through to the summit.
Despite the effort, Akuzawa remained modest:
“I’ve been there and seen the view many times. It wasn’t anything special.”
A retired livestock farmer, Akuzawa continues to lead a full life. He volunteers at a local elderly care center and teaches painting — activities that show his active lifestyle isn’t limited to hiking trails.
Asked whether he would climb Mount Fuji again, he replied with a chuckle:
“No.”
Akuzawa’s story is a testament to the human spirit, aging with grace, and the power of persistence. In a world where age often becomes a barrier, Kokichi Akuzawa is a reminder that passion and preparation can truly move mountains — even at 102.
