Mount Fuji

Aerial panorama of Mount Fuji from Lake Saiko. June 2023

Aerial panorama of Mount Fuji with Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba in the foreground. June 2023

「富嶽三十六景 凱風快晴」-South Wind, Clear Sky (Gaifū kaisei), also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) MET DP141062

Mount Fuji from Omiya by Kusakabe Kimbei c1890

File:Fujisan-video-views-airplane-bullet-train2014.ogv

Mt Fuji NASA ISS002-E-6971 large

Mount Fuji (Japanese: 富士山, Fujisan) is an active stratovolcano located on Honshu, the largest island of Japan. Standing at 3,776.24 meters (12,389.2 ft), it is the highest mountain in Japan and the 7th-highest peak of an island on Earth. Known for its symmetrical cone, which is snow-capped for about five months a year, Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan and a frequent subject in Japanese art and poetry. It is one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains" (三霊山, Sanreizan) along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. It is a World Heritage Site as of 2013, recognized by UNESCO for its cultural significance.

Geography

Mount Fuji is located near the Pacific coast of central Honshu, south-west of Tokyo, from where it can be seen on a clear day. It lies at the boundary of Shizuoka Prefecture and Yamanashi Prefecture. The mountain is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is surrounded by five lakes: Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, Lake Sai, Lake Motosu, and Lake Shoji. These lakes offer spectacular views of the mountain and are popular tourist destinations.

Geology

Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, known as the Hōei eruption. It is located at a triple junction trench where the Amurian Plate, the Okhotsk Plate, and the Philippine Sea Plate meet. The mountain has been built by frequent volcanic activities and is relatively young in geological terms, with its current shape being formed over the last 100,000 years. The composition of Mount Fuji is primarily of basalt and andesite.

Climbing

Climbing Mount Fuji is a popular activity, with over 300,000 people attempting the climb every year. The official climbing season is early July to early September, when the weather is mildest and the snow has mostly melted. There are four major routes to the summit, each with several stations where climbers can rest. The ascent can take anywhere from 5 to 8 hours, and the descent can take 3 to 6 hours.

Cultural Significance

Mount Fuji has been a sacred site in Shinto since ancient times, embodying the concept of kami or spirit. It has been the subject of pilgrimage for centuries, and the Fujiko sects worship the mountain as a deity. In Japanese literature and ukiyo-e prints, Mount Fuji has been depicted countless times, most famously in Katsushika Hokusai's series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji." Its image has become an iconic symbol of Japan, representing beauty, endurance, and tranquility.

Conservation

The area around Mount Fuji is protected within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Efforts are made to preserve the natural landscape, including managing the impact of the large number of tourists and climbers. The designation of Mount Fuji as a World Heritage Site has also increased awareness and efforts towards its conservation.

See Also

• Volcanoes of Japan
• Tourism in Japan
• Japanese culture
• World Heritage Sites in Japan