About Mount Fuji, Japan

What is Mount Fuji?

As the highest mountain in Japan, Mount Fuji’s stature at over 12,000 feet makes it one of the most famous mountains in the world. It lies to the west of Tokyo and can clearly be seen from the city. Serene lakes and gorgeous national park grounds complete the setting.

In Japan, Mount Fuji is considered a scared place and is colloquially known as Fuji-san. The name is derived from the Buddhist goddess of fire. The mountain is also associated with another goddess, of the Shinto religion, named Sengen-Sama. To this end, there is even a shrine dedicated to Sengen-Sama at the very peak. Mount Fuji is not only revered among locals, but it is also a very popular draw for tourists as well as religious visitors. Some simply climb to experience its sheer magnificence, while others wait to see the first rays of light from the top.

History

More than just a mountain, Mount Fuji is actually a long-dormant volcano. According to scientific estimates, it was formed as far back as 600,000 years ago. Its last eruption occurred in 1707. Buddhist literature mentions that an earthquake in 286 BC caused the mountain to be formed, along with Lake Biwa.

Reverence for Mount Fuji goes back a very long time, starting with the original natives of the island, known as the Ainu. While modern religious followers associate the mountain with goddesses, another religious sect known as the Fujiko consider Mount Fuji to be a sacred entity of its own accord, complete with a soul. For Buddhists, it symbolizes a pathway to the next realm.

• History and Facts About Mount Fuji – Read about the origins, dimensions and composition of Mount Fuji.
• An Intro to Mount Fuji – Learn how Mount Fuji was been deadly yet still long revered through Japanese history.
• Fuji’s Origins – Mount Fuji has gradually been developing over a long period of time and Japan’s people have formed a close bond with it.
• 1707 Eruption – Mount Fuji’s last eruption was precipitated by an earthquake and tsunami.
• Myths About Mount Fuji – There are many legends and myths surrounding the mountain’s beginnings.
• Volcanic Activity – Mount Fuji’s eruptions are strongly related to underlying tectonic activity.
• Archival Images of Mount Fuji – View ancient paintings and renderings to see how Mount Fuji has changed over the centuries.
• Background Info About Mount Fuji – Lava flows from thousands of years ago still form part of the mountain that we see today.
• All About Mount Fuji – Browse through stunning images of Mount Fuji and learn how it has become such a famous worldwide attraction.
• A Detailed Guide to Mount Fuji – Research Mount Fuji’s religious significance, history and much more.

What to See

Mount Fuji can be accessed by travelling to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Around it are five large lakes. Photographers and artists are especially drawn to the mountain for its spectacular surroundings and perfect symmetry. A favorite time for visitors is in spring, when the cherry blossoms around the mountain are in full bloom.

Climbing is encouraged with Mount Fuji, and many locals also perform traditional religious rituals, which can be interesting and educational for visitors to observe. Climbing to the top can take up to eight hours, and climbers are encouraged to set out early in the days. Along the route are ten areas that serve as rest stations.

• Mount Fuji’s Changing Vistas – Find out about seasonal variations on the mountain and when to visit.
• Climbing Mount Fuji – Watch a video about local religious ceremonies surrounding the mountain and pilgrim treks.
• Aerial Views – Get a unique perspective of Mount Fuji by viewing it from above!
• Mount Fuji Around the Year – View images of Mount Fuji throughout the year.
• Mt. Fuji Hiking Trails – Explore the four main hiking trails to find one appropriate for you.
• Climbing Guidelines – Prepare for a trip to Mount Fuji by checking what to pack and take along, where to start and how to get there.
• Mount Fuji’s Climbing Season – Mount Fuji’s regular opening season for climbers falls between the beginning of July to the end of August.
• Attractions for Visitors – Visitors to Mount Fuji will find plenty of cultural items in the area to help them remember their trip.
• What to Look For When Climbing – Awe-inspiring scenery, cultural rituals and native flora are some of the highlights of the Mt. Fuji climb.
• Climbing the Stations – Try an armchair tour through each of the ten stations of Mount Fuji.

Quick Facts

Mount Fuji is located in a Japanese city called Chubu. The main religion practiced in the region is Shinto, followed by Buddhism. This mountain boasts epic proportions, including its height at 12,388 feet, a circumference of 78 miles and a massive crater that measures 1600 feet across! Although it has been dormant for so long, it is technically still considered active and is predicted to erupt again in the future.

• Commonly Asked Questions About Mount Fuji – Browse through interesting facts and trivia about Mount Fuji.
• Numeric Facts – Learn about Mount Fuji’s true height and its foundations.
• General Facts and Figures – Get the crucial facts of Mount Fuji, including its formation, weather, and access points.
• Mount Fuji Trivia – Find out all about Mount Fuji’s elevation, temperature, air density and trail surface.
• When to Go – Learn when is the best time during the year to visit Mount Fuji, as well as which days and times to climb.
• Facts About Mount Fuji – Visitors and others interested in Mount Fuji can learn about its temperatures through the year, as well as its dimensions and the surrounding population.
• Geological Facts – Learn about Mount Fuji by examining different views and geological facts about it.
• Altitude and Weather – Mount Fuji’s altitude and weather makes it a hospitable area for plant and animal life to flourish.
• Mount Fuji Statistics – See how Mount Fuji stacks up when compared to other famous mountains around the world.
• Statistics, Facts and Images – Read about the basic structure of Mount Fuji, along with its core statistics, eruption factoids and other trivia.

Information on Japan

• Japan’s Volcanoes – Japan lies in an area full of active volcanoes and tectonic plates.
• Japan’s Regions – Explore each of Japan’s areas through an interactive map.
• Japan’s Snow Festival – The winter festival in Sapporo treats visitors to an entire world of ice statues and sculptures.
• Summer Festivals in Japan – When visiting Japan in the summer; don’t forget to head over to some of its many seasonal festivals.
• The Ainu – Japan’s aboriginal people still exist, although in very small numbers.
• Ainu Legends and History – Aboriginal Japanese culture is rich in legends and culture.
• Visiting Tokyo – Learn all about Tokyo and its geography.
• What to See in Kyoto – Kyoto is steeped in history and has plenty of preserved heritage sites.
• Hagi, the Castle Town – Hagi was an ancient town built around a castle. Parts of its remains still exist today.
• Japanese Folk Tales – Traditional folk tales and legends have been passed down from one generation to the next in Japan, to illustrate important morals and life lessons.

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