Mt. Fuji and a Mental Health Patient – A Therapeutic Experience That Touched the Heart
Recently, I visited Mt. Fuji—Japan’s most iconic and beautiful mountain—with a mental health patient who had relatively mild symptoms, and her family.
We gathered at 12:30 AM and drove up to the fifth station of Mt. Fuji. By 3:30 AM, we arrived and were greeted by a breathtaking night sky, with stars so vivid they seemed ready to fall from above. In contrast to Tokyo’s glowing city lights, this celestial spectacle left us speechless.
It was 1°C, yet we forgot the cold as we gazed in awe at the astronomical display above. The pitch-black sky gradually turned a deep navy blue as dawn approached—a truly mystical transition.
As the sky lightened slightly, a breathtaking view appeared before us: a sea of clouds—known in Japan as “unkai”—unfolded right before our eyes. We were all captivated in silence.
The Moment We Truly Felt “Now”
This experience echoed what I wrote in a previous article—those moments when the heart is completely stolen away by something beautiful. It wasn’t our minds that felt it, but our bodies that lived it. It might have lasted less than a second, but there was a moment when our hearts became “empty” and fully immersed in the “now.”
Nature’s Power as Mental Therapy
This experience at Mt. Fuji was a form of natural mental therapy. We also received the energy of Japan’s tallest mountain itself. The behavioral therapy involved in this experience included two key elements:
- Taking a brave first step (waking up early)
- Enduring slight discomfort (tolerating the cold)
Though these may seem negative at first, the moment we saw the magnificent view, all those hardships were reversed—just like black Othello pieces turning white. A small flame was lit in our hearts, and this memory will continue to warm us for a long time to come.
More than just removing negativity, this is about experiencing the kind of emotional depth that leads to personal growth through meaningful moments.
In Her Own Words
“It was really tough waking up in the middle of the night. The cold was harsh too. But the starry sky moved me deeply, and the stunning view before sunrise left me in a peaceful daze I had never felt before. I’m so glad I came. I’m proud of myself for making the effort to get up.”
Gaining insights through action and experience leads to emotional resilience.
Most of all, it made me happy that she could articulate the essence of the experience herself.
The Healing Continued on the Way Back
On the way back, we stopped by Oshino Hakkai—a group of crystal-clear ponds fed by the melted snow of Mt. Fuji. The transparency of the water was astonishingly beautiful and added another layer of healing to our day.
And since we were already in Shizuoka, we decided to visit the incredibly popular hamburger restaurant “Sawayaka,” where a 3–4 hour wait is standard. Everyone, including myself, was absolutely delighted. It was so delicious, I can’t wait to go back again.
A Day of Action, Reward, and Reflection
All of these experiences were rewards born from a single courageous step.
From the breathtaking scenery to the emotional impact and even a delicious burger, the patient was filled with joy.
I hope this will become a treasured memory and a guiding light for the future.
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