A Remarkable Feat of Endurance and Spirit
Kokichi Akuzawa, at an impressive 102 years and 51 days old, has become the oldest person ever to climb Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak at 3,776 meters (12,388 feet), earning official recognition from Guinness World Records for his extraordinary accomplishment (Globedge)
A Journey Steeped in Perseverance
This was not Akuzawa’s first record: at age 96, he had already become the oldest person to reach Fuji’s summit. In the six years that followed, he triumphed over numerous health battles, including heart problems, shingles, and stitches from a fall (AP News, Smithsonian Magazine, The Guardian).
Determined, he prepared meticulously waking up daily at 5 a.m. for hour long walks and tackling roughly one mountain each week, primarily in Nagano Prefecture (AP News, The Guardian).
On August 5, accompanied by his 70 year old daughter Motoe, his granddaughter and her husband, and four friends from a local mountaineering club, Akuzawa set off. They spent two nights camping along the trail before summit day (AP News, The Guardian, Jang).
At the Edge of Limits
The climb, though on Fuji’s easiest route, the popular Yoshida Trail, posed significant challenges. Akuzawa recalled moments of weakness and slowing pace: “I’d long since passed my physical limit, and it was only thanks to everyone else’s strength that I made it.” Yet, at around 11 a.m., he stood at the summit a testament to tenacity in motion (AP News, The Guardian, Smithsonian Magazine, CBS News).
He humbly remarked that the view wasn’t anything special, reflecting a grounded spirit despite the magnitude of his feat (Smithsonian Magazine, CBS News).
Life’s Final Chapters: Climbing, Painting, and Community
Since retiring from his career as an engine design engineer and later as a livestock inseminator (which he pursued until age 85), Akuzawa has dedicated himself to volunteering and painting which bring him peace akin to climbing (AP News).
Currently surrounded by paintings of mountains in his Maebashi home, he plans to paint Mount Fuji at sunrise, capturing sunrise memories from the peak perhaps his final homage to a lifelong passion (AP News).
A Legacy Carved in Altitude
Akuzawa’s accomplishment carries echoes through time:
- In 1986, the record stood at 99 years (Teiichi Igarashi), then in 1994, at 100 years and 258 days (Ichijiro Araya) both surpassed by Akuzawa’s 102 years and 51 days mark (Smithsonian Magazine).
- His climb fell amid a historic moment on August 5, Japan recorded its highest-ever temperature and marked significant national events (Wikipedia).
- He now joins the ranks of inspirational elderly mountaineers, such as Hulda Crooks, the oldest woman known to summit Mount Fuji at age 91 in 1987 (Wikipedia).
Summary Snapshot
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Kokichi Akuzawa |
| Age at Climb | 102 years, 51 days |
| Date of Summit | August 5, 2025 |
| Route | Yoshida Trail (Mount Fuji) |
| Support Team | Daughter, granddaughter & husband, club friends |
| Training Regimen | Daily morning walks + weekly mountain hikes |
| Past Health Issues | Heart failure, shingles, fall injuries |
| Other Activities | Volunteering, painting |
| Legacy Planning | Plans to paint Fuji’s sunrise from memory |
A Monument to Human Will
Kokichi Akuzawa’s climb reminds us that age can be reframed from limitation to legacy. His blend of humility, community support, and unyielding will transformed a physical ascent into a symbol of perseverance. As he channels his memories onto canvas, he leaves behind a timeless message: the journey, not just the climb, defines the summit.
