The survey of Mount Manaslu (8163m.) was conducted by a Japanese expedition team for the first time in 1952 and it was first ascended by a Japanese expedition in 1956 but the photograph of the peak was first arrested by HW Tillman and Jimmy Roberts while on trekking in 1950. The word 'Manaslu' is originated from the Sanskrit word "manias", meaning "intellect" or "soul". Manaslu has been always regarded as the "Japanese mountain" by the Japanese as ' British Mountain' to the Everest by the British.

Another successful attempt was also made by the Japanese expedition in 1971.In the same year; a South Korean team as well attempted the peak and was successful. It is reported that in 1954 the second Japanese expedition met with bitter resistance from the locals. The heathen foreigners were blamed for the avalanches and pestilence on the valley. The locals felt that Japanese had insulted the gods dwelling in the mountains thereby angering them into creating such adverse conditions.Till 2002, it was recorded that 175 climbers topped the summit following 120 expeditions and 49 deaths.