Interpretation Strategy
1 Purpose
In order to ensure that visitors can easily perceive and understand each of the component partsas part of the whole property or part of the pilgrimage routes in the upper and lower mountainslopes, the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of Fujisan should be passed on to future
generations; for this purpose, interpretation will be made of the relationships between individualcomponent parts based on the outcomes of research and study on the delineation of thepilgrimage routes and pertinent information will be provided regarding conservation.

2 Existing State
Because currently there are few interpretation tools to present a clear relationships between the
different component parts, visitors must gather information pertaining to the inter-relationships
between the component parts themselves. A significant amount of time and effort to build up an
understanding of the entire property.
“Fujisan World Heritage Centers” are currently being built in Yamanashi Prefecture and
Shizuoka Prefecture. Organizations are also being established in these prefectures to operate themas central facilities that promote interpretation of the Outstanding Universal Value of Fujisan,provide information about conservation measures, and conduct research and study.

3 Issues
It is necessary to use effective methods of interpretation, such as publishing and distributing
informative materials, to help visitors easily recognize and understand the relationships between
the component parts. Other methods include the installation of signboards and road signs to guide
visitors to pilgrimage routes in the lower mountain slopes.
It is also important to establish a system for research, study, and capacity building, in which the“Fujisan World Heritage Centers” play a central role in these aims in coordination with museums
and relevant municipal governments and also to put in place a system to facilitate the recognition
and understanding of visitors, by incorporating the outcomes of research and study, in
coordination with relevant facilities such as the Mount Fuji Research Institute (Yamanashi
Prefectural Government) and various museums.

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4 Policies
The following two policies are set out: “promotion of research and study and feedback of theiroutcomes” and “transmission of OUV and appropriate interpretation”.

(1) Promotion of research and study and feedback of their outcomes(i) Implementation of research and study
Research and study on Fujisan will be promoted, centering on “Fujisan World Heritage
Centers”, in coordination with museums and relevant municipal governments.
(ii) Feedback of the outcomes of research and study
Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture accumulate the outcomes of research andstudy systematically and make use of them for presentation and interpretation.

(2) Transmission of OUV and appropriate interpretation(i) Contents
Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture play a central role in conveying theOutstanding Universal Value of Fujisan and providing pertinent information concerning
conservation measures.
(ii) Establishment of a system for interpretation and human resources development
Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture proceed with the construction of “FujisanWorld Heritage Centers” and the establishment of organizations to operate them as central
facilities for interpretation. They will also develop locally-rooted human resources, such as“World Heritage guides”, in coordination with relevant municipal governments.
(iii) Methods
Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture play the central role in developing
effective interpretation methods, with respect to both hardware and software, that areconsistent with the aforementioned policies.

5 Measures(1) Promotion of research and study and feedback of their outcomes(i)

Implementation of research and study Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture in coordination with museums and art
museums in both prefectures and relevant municipal governments will establish thesystem for research and study, centering on “Fujisan World Heritage Centers”, so that68|

comprehensive research and study can be made, including the delineation of pilgrimage
routes, and promote the development of research and study plans and interdisciplinary
research and study within the context of a long-term vision (reference information 1,
page 72).
 Yamanashi Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, and relevant municipal governments willconduct surveys to evaluate visitor awareness and to understand the extent of visitor
recognition and understanding of the Outstanding Universal Value of Fujisan.
(ii)

Feedback of the outcomes of research and study Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture promote the accumulation and use of
the collected documents and the outcomes of research and study through the
exploration of the possibility of building a database of the outcomes of research andstudy.

(2) Transmission of OUV and appropriate interpretation(i) Contentsa. Transmission of OUVVisitors will be guided not only to the upper mountain area but also to the component partsat the foot of the mountain by promoting visitors’ recognition and understanding about therelationships between the component parts, which will be further clarified as a result of theongoing work to identify the pilgrimage routes and by explaining that it was interactions
between the nature (i.e. Fujisan) and people that gave rise to a unique form of worship andinspired excellent and diverse works of art, paying attention to the style of, and historicalchanges in Fujisan worship.
b. Conservation measures
Information will be provided about the degree of congestion at each ascending route and thestate of mountain hut reservations. People will be discouraged from attempting “bullet
climbing” (night-time ascents without sufficient rest before climbing). Information for safe
climbing will be provided regarding the appropriate climbing gear and other matters thatclimbers should keep in mind. Measures would be taken to raise public awareness about
good climbing manners, such as carrying out garbage (reference information 2, page 75).
To facilitate people’s understanding for the conservation of Fujisan, information will bedisseminated regarding the efforts made by mountain huts, such as the use of toilets with alow environmental impact; activities by local governments and NPOs, such as cleaning; andlaws and rules for the conservation of Fujisan.
(ii) Establishment of a system for interpretation and human resources development
Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture construct “Fujisan World Heritage Centers”|

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as core facilities for interpretation, where staff are stationed in charge of operating projects
and activities of “Fujisan World Heritage Centers”. Also, Yamanashi Prefecture and
Shizuoka Prefecture provide the interpretation of the Outstanding Universal Value andpertinent information regarding conservation measures in coordination with relevant
facilities such as museums in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures. They will develop
locally-rooted human resources, such as “World Heritage guides”, in coordination with
relevant municipal governments (reference information 3, page 76).
(iii) Methods
Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture paly a central role in making brochures andother informative materials available that illustrate the relationships among the component
parts (reference information 4, page 77) and in organizing lectures and seminars incoordination with school education, such as Fujisan learning and “kids’ study programmes”(reference information 5 and 6, pages 78 and 79). Also, Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka
Prefecture organize special exhibitions and academic seminars at “Fujisan World Heritage
Centers”, museums, art museums, etc., and plan and provide model routes to guide visitors
to the component parts at the foot of the mountain (reference information 3 of the visitor
management strategy, page 44).

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Reference Information|

71Reference Information 1: Construction of “Fujisan World Heritage Center”
・ Summary
The Fujisan World Heritage Centers are being constructed to be used as a base of thecomprehensive conservation and management of Fujisan and to respond to the needs ofmany visitors by providing information about the nature, history, and culture of Fujisan aswell as tourist attractions in nearby areas.
Also, Yamanashi Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, and relevant municipalities jointly
construct a system to welcome visitors around Fujisan.
・ Actions already implemented
Progress of the Construction of “Fujisan World Heritage Centers “FY

Yamanashi Prefecture

2011

−

Reference Information 1: Construction of “Fujisan World Heritage Center”

2012

72

2013
2014
2015

・ Establishment of the construction
discussion committee
・ Selection of the construction site(within the precinct of the existing
Yamanashi Prefecture Fuji Visitor
Center at Funatsu, FujikawaguchikoTown)
・Development of the basic construction
plan
・Exhibit design and construction design ・Selection of the construction site (Miya
Town, Fujinomiya City)
・Development of the detailed exhibit plan
・ Construction and exhibit design, ・Basic design and detailed design
construction work, manufacturing of
exhibits
・Construction work, manufacturing and ・Installation of exhibits
installation of exhibits

Overview of “Fujisan World Heritage Centers”
Yamanashi Prefecture
Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko Town
To be constructed as an extension to the
Locationexisting Fuji Visitor Center in its
southern precinct
2
Area: approx. 27,600 m
2Construction area: approx. 4,330 m
2
Size
Total floor area: approx. 500 m※Fuji Visitor Center (existing)2
Total floor area: approx. 1,671 m
Approx. 1.5 billion JPY
Project(including a construction cost of 930
cost
million JPY and an exhibit installation
cost of 460 million JPY)As planned in the detailed design
2
Exhibition room: 824.49 m
2
Library: 72.36 m
2
Facilities Multi-purpose hall: 47.24 m
2
Meeting rooms: 52.61 m etc.
※Fuji Visitor Center (existing)2
Exhibition room: 470 m|

Shizuoka Prefecture
・ Establishment of the basic concept
preparation committee
・Development of the basic concept
・Development of the basic plan

Shizuoka Prefecture
Miya Town, Fujinomiya City
To be newly constructed in and around theexisting open space2

Area: approx. 7,000 m
2
Construction area: approx. 6,200 m
2
Total floor area: approx. 3,600 m
Approx. 4.3 billion JPY(including a construction cost of 3.1 billion
JPY and an exhibition installation cost of 1
billion JPY)As planned in the detailed design2Permanent exhibition room: 957 m
2
Special exhibition room: 128 m
2
Library: 59 m
2
Seminar room: 76 m
2
Video theater: 93 m
2
Storage rooms: 76 m etc.

・ Future actions
Aiming to open the center in Yamanashi Prefecture in July 2016 and to complete theconstruction of the center in Shizuoka Prefecture by the end of October 2017, theconstruction of the building and the manufacturing of exhibits are in progress and the
management system and specific operations are to be determined in time. In addition, therecruitment of staff who will run the projects and programmes of the centers and theestablishment of mechanism for research and study centering on Fujisan World Heritage
Centers are done in coordination with relevant municipalities.
Schedule

FY
2016
2017

Yamanashi Prefecture
Opening--

Shizuoka Prefecture
Construction,
exterior
works,
manufacturing and installation of exhibits
Completion

Reference Information 1: Construction of “Fujisan World Heritage Center”<Visual Image of Yamanashi Prefecture Fujisan World Heritage Center><Visual Image of Exhibits at Yamanashi Prefecture Fujisan World Heritage Center>

Exhibits are structured with the intention of interpreting the relationships between thecomponent parts.
E. Information desk
F. to O. Exhibits
F. Fujisan, object of worship
G. Worship ascent
H. Worship from afar
I. Worship from afar (Fujimoundsthroughout
Japan)
J. Fujisan, source of artistic
inspiration
K. Lava tube
L. Expanding universe of
FujisanM. Fujisan cultureN.
Protection
andconservation of Fujisan
O. Fujisan pledge|

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<Visual Image of Fujisan World Heritage Center (provisional name) (Shizuoka Prefecture)>

Reference Information 1: Construction of “Fujisan World Heritage Center”<Visual Image of the Exhibits of Fujisan World Heritage Center (provisional name) (Shizuoka
Prefecture)>

74

Video Theater

Guidance
Interpretation

Thematic Exhibits
Theme I

Theme II

Theme III

SacredMountain

Beautiful
Mountain

To theFutureExhibits on the spiral slope■Section of the center with zoning

Special
Exhibition|

Virtual Tour ofComponentPartsReference Information 2: Information for Safe and Comfortable Climbing
・ Summary
The Council for the Promotion of the Proper Use of Mt. Fuji (secretariat: Ministry of
the Environment, Yamanashi Prefecture, and Shizuoka Prefecture) has been promoting theproper uses of Fujisan, which is designated as a National Park since the council was set up
in February 2011 (as an expansion of the Fujisan Sign Liaison Council). The Council
started a mobile web site, "Official Web Site for Mt. Fuji Climbing", in June 2013, in orderto provide information to promote safe climbing of Fujisan.
・ Actions already implemented

・ Future actions
The above-mentioned official web site is providing information about the conditions ofascending routes, basic equipment for Fujisan ascent, safety information, risks, regulations
and rules, and real-time information such as weather conditions. The web site will be
improved to contain more information that meets visitors’ needs.

Official Web Site for Mt. Fuji Climbing|

Reference Information 2: Information for Safe and Comfortable Climbing

Recent problems of climbing on Fujisan are so-called "bullet climbing" by those whostart climbing at night without sleeping and make descents after watching the sunrise at themountain top. Lightly dressed and equipped climbers can become sick or get injured
during the ascent. As the inscription of Fujisan on the World Heritage List might result infurther increase in the number of climbers and the congestion at the mountaintop in theweekends and holidays, information useful for climbers in the preparation stage,
pre-climbing stage, and in the climbing stage is provided at the Official Web Site for Mt.
Fuji Climbing (launched in June 2013) in order to facilitate and promote safe ascents ofFujisan based on appropriate climbing plans that allow ample time.

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Reference Information 3: Training and Mobilization of World Heritage Guides
・ Summary"World Heritage Guides", who can guide visitors, interpreting the Outstanding
Universal Value of the World Heritage, “Fujisan”, and explaining about the proper
conservation and management, have been trained through training programs since 2012.
・ Actions already implemented
The World Heritage Guide Training Program is offered to volunteer guides who are
working in Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture (nature, tourism, and foreign
language) and those who have the intention of working as World Heritage guides. As ofthe end of September 2015, 190 people have completed the program. They are working as
guides for visitors at different component parts and nearby facilities.
In Yamanashi Prefecture, 47 people have completed the program as of the end of
September 2015. They are working as guides for visitors at the Yamanashi Prefecture Fuji
Visitor Center.

Reference Information 3: Training and Mobilization of World Heritage Guides

Number of world heritage guides trained in the past few years

76

FY

2012

2013

2014

Number of people
who completed theguide training
course71

77

74

Seminar

2015

Total

15
(at the end of
September)

237

Field visit

・ Future actions“World Heritage Guides” are to be trained to interpret the Outstanding Universal Valueof Fujisan to visitors. Activities of “World Heritage Guides” such as guiding visitors at
individual component parts are also to be promoted in cooperation with liaisonorganizations of relevant municipalities.
Also, at “Fujisan World Heritage Centers” in Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka
Prefecture, information about the Outstanding Universal Value of Fujisan is to beprovided and awareness raising for its conservation is to be implemented.

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Reference Information 4: Publication and Utilization of Pamphlets
・ SummaryPamphlets and brochures are prepared to provide information about mutual
relationships between the component parts based on the research and study on pilgrimage
routes, the Outstanding Universal Value of Fujisan, and conservation efforts, so that
visitors can easily recognize and understand the mutual relations between the component
parts.
・ Actions already implemented

・ Future actions
The pamphlets and brochures that have been prepared so far continue to be distributedat the 5th stations and other places, used at lectures, seminars, etc., and posted on the website, with a view to deepening the understanding of visitors about the mutual relationships
between the component parts, the Outstanding Universal Value of Fujisan, andconservation efforts.
In addition, they will be updated based on the results of future research and study on
pilgrimage routes etc.

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Reference Information 4: Publication and Utilization of Pamphlets

The Fujisan World Cultural Heritage Council prepared multi-language pamphlets andbrochures in Japanese, English, and other languages based on the results of research andsurvey on pilgrimage routes as current at March 2015 and have been distributing them atthe 5th stations and other places, using them at lectures, seminars, etc. and posting them on
the web sites.

77Reference Information 5: Visiting Lectures and Seminars
・ Summary
Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture give visiting lectures in order to explain
the nature and culture of Fujisan, basic knowledge of World Heritage, and efforts thathave been made for inscription on the World Heritage, to enhance the understanding ofand interest in Fujisan, and to build up the mood for passing on the World Heritage,Fujisan, to future generations.
・ Actions already implemented
Lecturers have been given by staff of Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture atelementary schools, junior highs, and high schools and, upon request, at variousorganization.
Number of visiting lectures and participants in the past few years

FY 2011

Reference Information 5: Visiting Lectures and Seminars

Kindergarten,
43 times /elementary school, junior
4,005 people
high, and high school
36 times /Adults2,191 people
Total
79 times /6,196 people78

FY 2012FY 2013

FY 201436 times / 5,188 59 times / 6,693 47 times / 5,013
peoplepeoplepeople60 times / 3,576 82 times / 4,229
peoplepeople96 times / 8,764 141 times /people10,922 people

45 times / 2,028
people92 times /7,041people

Scenes of visiting lectures

・ Future actions
Staff of prefectural governments will continue to visit elementary schools, junior highschools, high schools, local communities, and companies to give lectures for students andcitizens in order to improve their understanding of and interest in Fujisan and encouragethem to pass on the Outstanding Universal Value of Fujisan to future generations.

|Reference Information 6: “Fuji no Kuni” Kids’ Study Program・ Summary
The Certified NPO, National Council on Mt. Fuji World Heritage, and Yamanashi and
Shizuoka Prefectures are promoting programmes in which the masterpiece of ukiyo-e
woodblock print, “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji”, is used in order for students tounderstand the cultural value of Fujisan and develop attitudes to "cherish Fujisan,hometown, and Japan".

Textbook

DVD containing educational materials

In 2012, model classes were held in elementary schools in Yamanashi Prefecture,
Shizuoka Prefecture, and Tokyo. Based on the aforementioned model classes, teachingmaterials for 6th grade social study class were made. In 2013, the teaching materials were
distributed to all elementary schools in Yamanashi Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, andthe Chuo ward of Tokyo. Teaching materials were also distributed to all elementary
schools in Sumida, Taito, and Shibuya wards of Tokyo in 2014. Furthermore efforts toimprove the programme quality have been made, such as the revision of the teachingmaterials for easier use in 2015.

School children learning in a lecture

・ Future actions
The efforts for better quality of the program are to be continued, for example bymaking revisions to the teaching materials for easier use in classes. In addition, the further
use of the programme in Yamanashi Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, and other places inJapan is to be promoted.

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Reference Information 6: “Fuji no Kuni” Kids’ Study Program・ Actions already implemented7980|