"Encouragement of Mountain" is a story about cute girls who become mountain girls and take on the challenge of mountain climbing. Although the story is centered around mountain climbing, the charm of the characters has made it a popular media mix work. Here we'll introduce the mountains that appear in "Encouragement of Mountain" in order of which ones people would like to climb.
[Encouragement of Climb] Mountain Ranking #10: Chichibu Mountains
This is one of the mountains introduced by Kaede in episode 2 of the second season. It's one of the mountains surrounding Mount Fuji, and although she hasn't actually climbed it, it was a candidate.
The Chichibu Mountains are the collective name for the dozens of mountains surrounding Mount Fuji. The low peaks are around 1,000 meters, while the highest peaks reach over 2,500 meters. This wide range of mountains makes up a large area.
The area is a beautiful mountain range, including Mount Kinpu, Mount Kobushigatake, Mount Ryokami, Mount Mizugaki, and Mount Daibosatsurei, all of which are among Japan's 100 most famous mountains.
[Encouragement of Climb] Mountain Ranking #9: Yatsugatake
This is one of the mountains introduced by Kaede in episode 2 of the second season. It's one of the mountains surrounding Mount Fuji, and although she hasn't actually climbed it, it was a candidate.
Yatsugatake is also one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, but technically it is the collective name for a group of mountains separated into northern and southern parts. The Yatsugatake mountain listed in the list only refers to the southern part.
The highest peak, Akadake, stands at 2,899 meters above sea level, and almost all of the mountains are over 2,500 meters high. They're famous mountains, so Aoi and her friends will probably climb them someday.
[Encouragement of Climb] Mountain Ranking #8: Mount Tamozu
Mount Tonosu, which made a brief appearance in the middle of the second season, is often climbed together with Mount Tenran, the first mountain Aoi and Hinata climbed.
At 271 meters above sea level, Mt. Tamonosu is slightly higher than Mt. Tenran, but Aoi, who climbed Mt. Fuji to the eighth station, easily conquered it. This hike with Hinata reminded her of the joys of mountain climbing for the first time in a while.
[Encouragement of Climb] Mountain Ranking #7: Mt. Mitsutoge
The first mountain climbed in the second season was Mt. Mitsutoge. It all started when Hinata suggested a surprise climb to a mountain with a view of Mount Fuji for Aoi, who had become interested in the mountain.
There are many mountains with a view of Mount Fuji, so Kaede decided to climb the one that randomly appeared on the page in the mountain guide. The mountain I ended up climbing was Mt. Mitsutoge.
At an altitude of 1,786 meters, it's located near Mount Fuji, offering views of Mount Fuji to the south and the Southern Alps to the west. Directly below the summit is a sheer cliff called Byobu Rock, making the mountain a popular climbing spot.
Up until now, Aoi had only climbed beginner-level mountains like Mt. Tenran and Mt. Takao. At Mitsutoge, she attempted her first serious intermediate-level climb. It was a fairly serious mountain, and Aoi struggled to climb it.
Right next to Mitsutoge Pass is a somewhat dangerous path with a cliff, but Aoi borrowed Kaede's folding trekking poles and was able to climb a little more easily. If you're not confident in your stamina, it might be a good idea to bring folding trekking poles.
While the mountain path may be a bit challenging for beginners, the view of Mt. Fuji from the summit is spectacular, and Aoi and her friends were glad they made the climb.
[Encouragement of Climb] Mountain Ranking #6: Mount Tsukuba
In the first episode of the third season, Aoi goes to Mount Tsukuba to thank Hinata for the doll she received at Mount Fuji. This spot was recommended to us by Hikari, a senior at Aoi's part-time job, and she told us it's a spectacular spot where you can see the Tokyo nightscape, even though it's in Ibaraki.
The mountain trail is well-maintained and easy to climb, but Aoi and her friends took the Hakuunbashi Trail, a challenging path full of rocks, partway through. At 877 metres above sea level, it's by no means a low mountain, but the grown-up Aoi and her friends made it to the top with relative ease, even though they started climbing in the evening.
The night view from the highest point of Mount Tsukuba was beyond Aoi and her friends' imagination, but there were so many couples at the ropeway station that Aoi and her friends seemed uncomfortable (lol).
But even more than that, it's secretly moving to see Aoi, who had a fear of heights, overcome the ropeway by the end of the second season.
[Encouragement of Climb] Mountain Ranking #5: Kirigamine
After failing to reach the summit of Mount Fuji, Aoi hesitates to tell her mother about her next mountain climbing attempt. Hinata suggests that she should invite her mother along, so the four of them, including Hinata's father and Aoi's mother, decide to climb Mt. Kirigamine.
Kirigamine is a high mountain in Nagano, standing 1,925 meters above sea level. Hinata's father, an expert on mountains, said it's a beautiful, refreshing mountain suitable for beginners, safe from danger, and so we decided to go.
Kirigamine is not the name of a single mountain, but rather a collective name for several mountains. Located south of the Yatsugatake mountain range, Kaede explains in the "Tell Me!! Kaede Corner" segment of the series, these mountains are counted among Japan's 100 most famous mountains.
Although Kirigamine is 1,925 meters above sea level, you can drive part of the way up, so getting to the summit isn't too difficult. The views along the way are also spectacular, and considering the beautiful scenery and the ease of the climb, this mountain deserves to be in the top three.
[Encouragement of Climb] Mountain Ranking #4: Mount Takao
Mount Takao was the second mountain Aoi and Hinata climbed, and it's the mountain where they met Kokona on their way down. Mount Takao is home to many power spots, and it's a mountain that Aoi was keen to climb, which is unusual for the early part of the story. This episode revealed that Aoi actually has a penchant for spiritual things.
At an elevation of 599 meters, Mount Takao has many paved paths, making it easy to walk. However, you should still be careful not to rush, as you'll end up exhausted like Aoi.
Mount Takao, with its many good luck charms scattered throughout, is often crowded with tourists, giving it more of an atmosphere like a regular tourist spot than a hiking spot. This mountain is recommended for those who love power spots and good luck charms.
[Encouragement of Climb] Mountain Ranking #3: Mount Tenran
When you think of "Encouragement of Climb," Mount Tenran is a familiar name. It was Mount Tenran that Aoi first climbed with Hinata, whom she reunited with after about 10 years.
Tenranyama is more of a hill than a mountain, standing 197 meters above sea level, making it relatively easy for Aoi, who wasn't very physically fit, to climb. The view of Hanno City from the summit is spectacular, and this mountain is what first awakened Aoi to the joys of mountain climbing.
Tenranyama is connected to Mount Tamotsuyama, and they are often climbed together. Technically, it's more of a casual hike than a mountain climb, but it became popular after the broadcast of Encouragement of Climb, attracting many fans.
[Encouragement of Climb] Mountain Ranking #2: Mount Fuji
Needless to say, Mount Fuji, a World Heritage Site, is also a mountain that Aoi and her friends climbed. Unfortunately, Aoi developed altitude sickness and couldn't make it above the eighth station, but she expressed her determination to try again, so we hope she'll be successful this time.
Although it's said that "Mount Fuji is a mountain even beginners can climb," in reality, it's quite steep and the air is thin, so there's a risk of developing altitude sickness like Aoi. Therefore, it's best to get some physical training and mountain climbing knowledge before climbing.
Also, Aoi was so excited before climbing Mount Fuji that she ended up climbing it while sleep-deprived. Therefore, since lack of sleep increases your risk of altitude sickness, it's best to get enough sleep at all costs.
Aoi, who wasn't feeling her best due to lack of sleep, was enjoying the view of Mt. Fuji and was in high spirits until halfway through the trip. If you're not confident in your physical strength or feel that reaching the summit is not possible, you can still enjoy Mount Fuji by simply going as far as you can.
Once you've developed altitude sickness, like Aoi did, it's extremely difficult to recover, so if you start to feel unwell, it's wise to immediately rest or consider descending the mountain.
Mount Fuji is closed in September and can only be climbed for a short period during the summer. This is because the temperature of the mountain drops by approximately 0.6 degrees Celsius for every 100 meters ascended, making it too cold and dangerous to climb Mount Fuji except in midsummer.
While the off-season is a limited time to climb Mount Fuji, it's a great opportunity to train your body and gain knowledge, so it's a good idea to do what you can during the off-season.
Tips for Reducing Altitude Sickness
Whether or not you suffer from altitude sickness seems to depend largely on your constitution, and some people don't seem to experience it at all. However, it seems that lack of sleep is a major factor in susceptibility to altitude sickness, so it's important to be aware that climbing Mount Fuji while sleep-deprived is dangerous.
Resting at the fifth station of Mount Fuji seems to be a good way to reduce altitude sickness, and from there, climbing at a pace slower than the standard course time seems to help prevent altitude sickness.
It's said that it's important to drink plenty of water, take deep breaths using proper breathing techniques, and relax while climbing. The human body is made up of a complex, diverse, and multifaceted bundle of autonomic nervous systems that cannot be understood logically. While it's difficult to pinpoint the exact solution to avoiding altitude sickness, maintaining a minimum level of physical health is important.
There are many mountain huts on Mount Fuji, so you can easily stay overnight with peace of mind by making a reservation. Just as Aoi developed altitude sickness, people who are not confident in their physical strength may find it difficult from around the eighth station, so it's a good idea to make mountain hut reservations and take proper measures to manage your health.
[Encouragement of Climb] #1 Mountain Ranking: Mount Tanigawa
The number one mountain in "Encouragement of Climb" is undoubtedly Mount Tanigawa, where Aoi promised Hinata to climb it together again as a child. This is the mountain they climbed at the end of the second season, and it's a memorable one, as it's where they met new character Honoka Kurosaki.
To reach the tree line, where trees no longer grow, Aoi uses a ropeway and chairlift. Due to her fear of heights, she was terrified of the ropeway and chairlift, but with Hinata's help, she overcame some of this.
In the first episode of Season 3, Aoi climbed Mount Tsukuba and was able to ride the ropeway without any problems, so perhaps she overcame her fear of heights on Mount Tanigawa.
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It is a rather steep mountain path, and there are many mountain trails that continue in relatively natural conditions such as rocky mountains, so this may be the most mountain-like image of the mountains introduced here.
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
Mt. Tanigawa, at an altitude of 1,977 meters, has a spectacular view below you, and it's fun to see the scenery while climbing at the same height as the clouds. However, since the weather is likely to change, it is best to check the weather forecast in advance. Rain gear is a must.
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
The mountain hut near the summit can be accommodated, and Aoi and the others were relaxing at night until they saw the sunrise.
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
The sunrise over Mt. Tanigawa was spectacular, and Aoi has become an important mountain where she has determined to continue climbing alongside Hinata, Kokona, Kaede and Honoka. It is a mountain worthy of winning the top spot in the Yamano Susume mountain rankings.
[Yama no Susume] Mountain Ranking Summary
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
Yamano Susume has also become sacred sites such as Mt. Fuji and Mitsutoge, and fans are happy to welcome them with character signs and posters.
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
We recommend wearing Yamano Susume character merchandise on your clothes or backpack, as it can create interaction between fans.
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
Yama no Susume is about mountain climbing, but the story is shorter than a regular anime, at just a few minutes to a few minutes. Therefore, although there are surprisingly few mountains in the story, it is expected that more mountains will be climbed in the third season, so I am looking forward to it.
Source: Yamanosusume ©Shiro/Earth Star Entertainment/Yamanosusume Third Season Production Committee
I'm looking forward to interacting with Kurosaki Honoka, who became friends since the end of the second season, and I can't take my eyes off Yamano Susume. Aoi has overcome her fear of heights before she knows she will be able to boldly challenge high mountains in the third season.
