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.

OKUYA, M., & OBA, O. (2018). BEGINNING OF MODERNIZATION OF MOUNTAIN HUTS ON THE YOSHIDA TRAIL, MT. FUJI. Journal of Architecture and Planning (Transactions of AIJ), 83(746), 745–754. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.83.745