I enjoy this part because it showcases that despite the implied negatives of tourism, the accessibility of Mt. Fuji creates an environment where there are several ways to successfully climb the mountain. Someone does not have to be in peak physical condition to make the trek.

The author's inclusion of the monetary price even in common rituals on the mountain shows how deeply embedded the tourism culture is within a hike that used to be about religion.

The use of the word melting ties the piece together well as is fits with the previous weather mentions. For example, the author's highlight of both the extreme heatwave and two typhoons connect to the connotation of the description melting.

The emphasis on 9th century building adds to the foreign feeling. A general example of an old American building are colonial style buildings from the 17th century, which is nearly 800 years later. Additionally, the dedication to the Chinese scholar who died in 852 AD, implies the existence of preserved records from that time period which feels alien to me.

I like this visual. Having wet clothes drying on a line outside is something everyone recognizes, whether it is something they grew up doing, or they simply saw in multiple pieces of media. Thus it is very easy to picture that scene in your head. At the same time, the author manages to make it hint at the location by specifying that kimonos are drying as opposed to just leaving it at a general statement of clothes are drying.