Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji (富士山・富士の山, Fujisan, Fuji no Yama) is an active stratovolcano on the Japanese island of Honshu. It is the tallest mountain in Japan, standing at 3,776.24 metres (12,389 feet 3 inches) high. It is also the second-tallest volcano on any island in Asia, after Mount Kerinci on the island of Sumatra. The mountain last erupted from 1707 to 1708.

Mount Fuji is located about 100 kilometres (62 miles) southwest of Tokyo. On clear days, many people can see it from the city. The mountain has a very symmetrical shape, and its cone covered in snow for about five months each year. It is an important cultural icon in Japan and is often shown in art and photographs. Many visitors come to enjoy the sights, hike, or climb the mountain.

Mount Fuji is one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains", together with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. It is recognized as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a Historic Site. In 2013, it was added to the World Heritage List as a Cultural Site. According to UNESCO, Mount Fuji has inspired artists and poets and has been a destination for pilgrims for many years. The area includes 25 important cultural locations, such as the mountain itself and the Shinto shrine, Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha.

Etymology

Further information: wikt:富士 § Etymology 3

Mount Fuji gets its name from the Japanese word Fuji. The two characters in this name mean "wealth" or "abundant" and "man of status". We do not know exactly why these characters were used for the mountain's name. Some old stories say the name might come from words meaning "immortal" or "never-ending". Others think it might be linked to the shape of the mountain or an old word for fire.

In English, the mountain is most often called Mount Fuji. In Japanese, people usually say "Fuji-san". The word "san" is an old way of saying "mountain" and is not the same as the word used for people’s names. There are a few other older or poetic names for the mountain too.

History

Mount Fuji is famous for its beautiful shape and has appeared in Japanese art since the year 1600. Many poems and stories have been written about it. In the past, the top of the mountain was thought to be a special, sacred place, and women were not allowed to go there. This changed in 1872 when the government said everyone could visit.

Famous people from other countries have climbed Mount Fuji. The first was Sir Rutherford Alcock in 1860, and the first non-Japanese woman was Lady Fanny Parkes in 1867.

Today, Mount Fuji is a popular place for people to visit and climb. It is an important symbol in Japanese culture and was named a World Heritage Site in 2013.

Geography

Mount Fuji is a famous part of Japan’s landscape. It is very tall, measuring 3,776 meters (about 12,389 feet). It is located near the Pacific coast in central Honshu, a little southwest of Tokyo. The mountain is on the border between Shizuoka and Yamanashi areas. Four small cities—Gotemba, Fujiyoshida, Fujinomiya, and Fuji—are close to it, along with many towns and villages. Five beautiful lakes surround Mount Fuji: Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, Lake Sai, Lake Motosu, and Lake Shōji. There is also Lake Ashi nearby, which offers great views. The mountain is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and can sometimes be seen from faraway places like Yokohama, Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Lake Hamana, when the weather is clear. It was even photographed from space during a space shuttle mission.

The top of Mount Fuji has a cold climate. The temperature there is very low, and snow covers the mountain for many months each year.

Geology

Further information: Historic eruptions of Mount Fuji, List of volcanoes in Japan, and Triple junction

Mount Fuji is where three large pieces of Earth's surface, called plates, meet. These plates shape the land in Japan. The mountain is part of a group of volcanoes made by these moving plates.

Scientists say Mount Fuji grew in four main steps. The oldest part formed a very long time ago, and each step made the mountain higher. The last big eruption happened a few centuries ago, making a new peak and sending ash far away. Today, experts watch the mountain, but it does not look like it will erupt soon.

Aokigahara forest

Aokigahara forest is at the northwest base of Mount Fuji. Old stories and legends talk about ghosts and mysterious creatures there.

In the past, some families in need left their younger or older members in the forest.

Hikers often leave colored plastic tape to mark their paths, which can sometimes harm plants and animals. Local leaders have put up signs to offer help and support to anyone who may be struggling.

Access

Transport

The nearest airport with international flights is Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport. It opened in 2009 and is about 80 km (50 mi) from Mount Fuji. Two larger airports, Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) and Narita International Airport, are about three hours away.

Climbing routes

Many people climb Mount Fuji. The best time to climb is from July to August when the weather is warmest. Buses to the trail heads start running on July 1. Some Japanese climb at night to see the sunrise from the top.

There are four main routes to the top: Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya. Climbers often start at the fifth station, which they can reach by car or bus. The top is the tenth station on each trail. The Yoshida route is the most popular because it has lots of parking and mountain huts. The Fujinomiya route is next, followed by Subashiri and Gotemba. Climbing from the fifth station takes 5 to 7 hours up, and 3 to 4 hours down. Some paths can be slippery.

Tractors use some paths to deliver supplies, but these paths are too narrow for climbers. Some people ride mountain bikes down these paths, but this can be dangerous.

The older routes from the base of the mountain are becoming more popular but are still not as common. Bears have sometimes been seen on the Yoshida route.

Huts above the fifth station are usually open during the climbing season. It is illegal to camp above the fifth station because Mount Fuji is a national park.

There are eight peaks around the top. Climbers can visit these peaks.

Paragliding

Paragliders often take off near the fifth station at the Gotemba parking lot. Some paragliding schools use the wide slope between Gotemba and Subashiri as a training area.

Overtourism concerns

In 2024, the Yamanashi government started charging a fee for hikers using the Yoshida trail from the summer season onward. This is to help manage crowded conditions and fund safety measures. The government set a daily limit of hikers on that trail and will close it between 4 p.m. and 3 a.m., except for people staying in mountain lodges. The Shizuoka government made the same rules for the other trails because of similar concerns.

In culture

Shinto mythology

In Shinto stories, Kuninotokotachi is one of the first gods born when the earth began to form. Another important figure is Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess linked to Mount Fuji. A special place called Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha honors her.

For a long time, people respected Mount Fuji from far away. A shrine called the Asama shrine was built near its base. Later, during the Heian period, people began climbing the mountain as part of their religious practices.

Popular culture

Mount Fuji is a famous symbol of Japan and appears in many kinds of art, like paintings, woodblock prints, poetry, music, theater, movies, manga, anime, and even pottery. Before a big eruption, Mount St. Helens in America was called "The Fuji of America" because it looked similar. Mount Taranaki in New Zealand is also said to look like Mount Fuji and has been used to represent it in some films and shows.