Fuji Kaizansai, Celebrating the Opening of Mt. Fuji

This video, titled "Fujisan Kaizan climbing ceremony - Murayamasengen Shrine - Shizuoka 4K," was uploaded by "TokyoStreetView - Japan The Beautiful."
This video introduces the Mt. Fuji Opening Festival, which marks the beginning of the climbing season on Mt. Fuji.

Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain, straddling Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, has four climbing routes, but the mountain is closed during the winter months.
Shown in the video is the annual Mt. Fuji Opening Ceremony held in July to pray for the safety of climbers and trail users, which marks the start of the climbing season.
This video introduces the opening ceremony at Murayama Sengen Shrine in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, in Japan's Tokai region.
Murayama Sengen Shrine, located at the entrance of the Murayama Trail, was once the site of Shugenja, or practitioners of Shugendo (mountain asceticism).
Check out the video to see the mysterious entrance to the trail and the ritual burning held by the mountain priests.

Murayama Sengen Shrine, Where the Mt. Fuji Opening Festival Is Held

Photo：Murayama Sengen Shrine

Murayama Sengen Shrine is located in Murayama, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and is one of the many Sengen shrines in Japan.
It is a base for climbing Mt. Fuji and was a sacred place for mountain asceticism on Mt. Fuji.
The entrance to the Mt. Fuji Murayamaguchi Trail gives visitors a sense of the mystical atmosphere of Mt. Fuji.
In addition, large cedar and a ginkgo trees, designated as natural treasures by Shizuoka Prefecture, stand solemnly in the precincts of the shrine.
The precincts of Murayama Sengen Shrine can be seen at 0:29 in the video, where the torii gate is shown.

More About the Mt. Fuji Opening Festival

Source :YouTube screenshot

The Mt. Fuji Opening Festival is held at the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, the Gotemba New 5th Station Trailhead, and Murayama Sengen Shrine.
Furthermore, Kaizan-zenyasai (The Eve of the Mountain Opening) is held the night before.
Kaizan-zenyasai features a parade from Kanadorii Park to the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine at the base of the Yoshidaguchi Trail, followed by a large Kagura performance (Shinto music and dance), and a variety of other Shinto rituals.

After the declaration of the opening of Mt. Fuji during the festival at Mt. Fuji Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, there will be a prayer performed by the head priest, a tamagushi offering, and a dedication of spring water that was drawn from the Mt. Fuji area.
In addition, a Mt. Fuji opening ceremony, formal visit to the mountain, a declaration of the opening of the mountain, and various other rituals are held at Murayama Sengen Shrine.
Fuji Hongu Sengen Taisha also features Tezutsu Hanabi (traditional Japanese fireworks) in the evening.
A purification ceremony and other rituals can be seen at 1:34 in the video.

The Mt. Fuji Opening Ceremony is followed by a departure ceremony for the mountain rescue team, the announcement and succession of the Miss Fuji contest, and the Mt. Fuji Kami Akari Lantern Contest (かみ灯りコンテスト) of lights made of Japanese paper made from Mitsumata are exhibited in the corridor.
In addition, an otaue (rice planting festival) is held to express gratitude for the spring water of Mt. Fuji and pray for a bountiful harvest.

The day after the Mt. Fuji Opening Festival, the Kusushi Shrine Opening Ceremony is held at the inner shrine on the summit of Mt. Fuji.
Shuin stamps are awarded during the opening of Mt. Fuji as well.
In August, before the closing of Mt. Fuji, the Kusushi Shrine Closing Festival is held at the inner sanctuary atop Mt. Fuji, marking the end of the events that take place when the mountain is open.

Summary of the Mt. Fuji Opening Festival

In this video "Fujisan Kaizan climbing ceremony - Murayamasengen Shrine - Shizuoka 4K," you can see beautiful 4K footage of the Mt. Fuji Opening Festival.
Murayama Sengen Shrine is a 20-minute drive from Fujinomiya Station along the Tokai Railway's Minobu Line.
Parking is available in the vicinity.
Check out the video to get a taste of the sacred atmosphere of the shrine.

【Official Website】Mt. Fuji Kaizan-zenyasai - [Official] Fujiyoshida Tour Guide
https://fujiyoshida.net/en/see-and-do/148