What country is Mount Fuji in? | Reference.com What country is Mount Fuji in? A: Quick Answer Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan. Located on the island of Honshu, the composite cone volcano stretches to 12,388 feet and is known for its nearly-perfect cone shape. Mount Fuji, sometimes called Mt. Fujiyama, is the 35th highest mountain peak in the world. Full Answer Mount Fuji sits in view of one of the most populated cities on the planet, Tokyo. The mountain is a focal point for both ancient and modern art and is highly regarded within the Japanese culture. The Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park surrounds the snow-capped peak. Its 18 miles of forest, trail and lake make it the most visited park in Japan. Mount Fuji Facts, Pictures and Information, Facts about Mount Fuji Facts about Mount Fuji Mount Fuji at Honshu Island, Japan The magnificent Mount Fuji on Honshu Island is often known to the locals as Fuji-san. Renowned globally for its perfectly symmetrical conical peak, this mountain in Japan is a symbol for this island country across the world.

Considered as one of the most scenic peaks on the planet, Mount Fuji has been inspiring the Japanese art community for centuries. It has also been a place of worship for hundreds of years, and is one of the Three Holy Mountains in Japan (the other two being Mount Haku and Mount Tate, also on Honshu Island). Mount Fuji was recently added to the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites for its cultural significance (June 22nd 2013). Though it is a natural site, UNESCO recognized its cultural importance in the form of art, tourism, and pilgrimage. It is an internationally renowned destination for trekking and mountain climbing. Interesting Facts about Mount Fuji Located about 60 miles from Tokyo, Japan capital city, Mount Fuji is flanked at the border by the Shizouka and Yamanashi Prefectures. It is considered as a must-see tourist destination in the country. If you are not in the mood to climb but just wish to the mountain from afar, the best time to visit would be in the winters. The sky is clearer in winter than in summer. Geographically, Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 12,389 feet.

Constituting a part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, it is also an active stratovolcano that last showed activity in 1708. After the 2012 tsunami in the region, its volcanic tempers are being carefully monitored. Mountain Climbing If you are a mountain climber or trekker, Mount Fuji is in your bucket list. It attracts trekkers from around the world during its peak season, i.e. July and August. During other months the weather is unstable here, due to which officials discourage any hiking activities. In 2009, the tourism officials calculated about 300,000 trekkers scaled the heights of Mount Fuji, of which most were from outside Japan. The best attraction of Mount Fuji is its sunrise. Trekkers prefer planning their climb in such a way so as to reach the summit before ‘goraiko’, which is Japanese for the arrival of light. You might , therefore, find trekkers scaling the heights at night! Popular trekking routes are Gotemba, Subashiri, Fujiyama and Lake Kawaguchi, which is the most popular due to its larger parking space and greater number of mountain huts.

A fairly easy climb, an average person can take 4 to 8 hours to trek to the summit. Aokigahara While trekking through the north-west base towards Mount Fuji, you can come across a forest. Known as Aokigahara, this wildlife-less forest is strangely very quiet. Statistically it is renowned for being the place with the most number of suicides in the country. It, in fact, ranks second in the world for such a dreadful activity. Officials request trekkers to use plastic tapes while hiking through the forest to avoid getting lost. Horse-back Riding If you like riding on a horse, you can do that to the Mount Fuji summit. You can find horse riding services between the 5th and 7th stations in the Fujiguchiko Trail. Paragliding Do you like paragliding? Mounta Fuji offers paragliding stations as well. To enjoy the sport, you can head to the 5th station of either Gotemba or Subhashiri. Mount Fuji Influences The picturesque shape of Mount Fuji has been one of the greatest influences in Japan. It has inspired Japanese paintings, music, poetry, movies, and even corporate logos.

There are about 119 songs that mention Mount Fuji. Japanese classic stories like the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, and the Tales of Ise bring up Mount Fuji at pivotal parts of the tale. One of the most prominent artists inspired by Mount Fuji is Katsushika Hokusai who painted the 36 Views of Mt. Fuji. Mount Fuji MOUNT FUJI Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse is named in honor of Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan at 12,388 feet (The highest mountain on earth is Mount Everest at 29,029 feet). The climate is very cold due to the high altitude and the cone is covered by snow for several months of the year. The lowest recorded temperature was -36°F while on June, 2008, the highest temperature was recorded at 64°F. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and photographs, as well as visited by sightseers and climbers. About 200,000 people climb Mount Fuji every year, 30% of whom are foreigners.

This international tourist destination also houses a warrior tradition: ancient samurai used the base of the moutain as a remote training area, near the present day town of Gotemba. As of 2006, the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the United States Marine Corps operate military bases near Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji, a dormant volcano that last erupted in 1707, is surrounded by 5 lakes: Lake Mount Fuji Is In A 'Critical State' And Could Be Ready To Blow, Researchers Say | The Huffington Post Mount Fuji Is In A 'Critical State' And Could Be Ready To Blow, Researchers Say 07/17/2014 06:09 pm ET | Updated Jul 21, 2014 2.4k Sara Gates Law student & former journalist Mount Fuji is primed to spew. After 307 years, the massive active volcano in Japan may be due for another eruption as a result of a buildup of pressure from the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the country's eastern coast in 2011.

While volcano eruptions may often be difficult to predict, a new study published by a team of French and Japanese researchers indicates that Mount Fuji is in a particularly precarious state. "Our work does not say that the volcano will start erupting, but it does show that it's in a critical state ," lead author Florent Brenguier , a researcher at the Institute of Earth Sciences in France, told The Guardian. The team analyzed data from more than 800 seismic sensors in Japan in order to observe how volcanos react to seismic waves , which are generated by impulses such as earthquakes or explosions. By pinpointing how these waves of energy affect volcanos, researchers should be better equipped to evaluate the risk of volcanic eruptions and may even be able to help predict an eruption. The team scrutinized "seismic noise" to build something similar to an ultrasound of the Earth's crust. What they found is that the regions with the greatest disruptions were not situated near the epicenters of earthquakes, but were instead concentrated beneath volcanic regions, particularly Mount Fuji .

Brenguier explained to The Guardian: The volcanic regions are the ones where the fluids trapped in the rock -- boiling water, gas, liquid magma, which cause an eruption when they rise to the surface -- exert the greatest pressure. The seismic waves add to this pressure, causing even more disturbance. While the team could not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between earthquake and volcanic activity, its findings serve as a warning for Japan to be aware of the pressure brewing beneath Mount Fuji. As Quartz notes, an eruption could spell disaster for the 8 million people in Tokyo , as well as the surrounding areas. Earlier this year, local governments in the districts near the active volcano adopted a comprehensive evacuation plan that calls for 1.2 million people to flee their homes in case of an eruption. Residents of cities immediately surrounding Mount Fuji would be in danger of lava flow, while homes in communities further removed would be most at-risk from falling volcanic ash.

Also on HuffPost: Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration Indicators Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration The beauty of the solitary, often snow-capped, stratovolcano, known around the world as Mount Fuji, rising above villages and tree-fringed sea and lakes has long been the object of pilgrimages and inspired artists and poets. The inscribed property consists of 25 sites which reflect the essence of Fujisan’s sacred and artistic landscape. In the 12th century, Fujisan became the centre of training for ascetic Buddhism, which included Shinto elements. On the upper 1,500-metre tier of the 3,776m mountain, pilgrim routes and crater shrines have been inscribed alongside sites around the base of the mountain including Sengen-jinja shrines, Oshi lodging houses, and natural volcanic features such as lava tree moulds, lakes, springs and waterfalls, which are revered as sacred.

Its representation in Japanese art goes back to the 11th century, but 19th century woodblock prints of views, including those from sand beaches with pine tree groves have made Fujisan an internationally recognized icon of Japan and have had a deep impact on the development of Western art. Fujisan, lieu sacré et source d'inspiration artistique La beauté de ce volcan solitaire, souvent couronné de neige, s’élevant au-dessus de villages, de la mer et de lacs bordés d’arbres, a inspiré artistes et poètes. Il s’agit d’un lieu de pèlerinage depuis des siècles. Le site inscrit comprend 25 biens qui reflètent l’esprit de ce paysage artistique sacré. Au XIIe siècle, le Mont Fuji est devenu un centre de formation du bouddhisme ascétique (fusion du bouddhisme et du shintoïsme).

Situés dans les 1 500 mètres supérieurs du volcan de 3 776 mètres, des chemins de pèlerinage et des sanctuaires du cratère ont été inscrits, mais aussi des sites répartis au pied du volcan, notamment les sanctuaires Sengenjinja, les auberges traditionnelles Oshi et des formations volcaniques traditionnelles telles que les arbres moulés dans la lave, les lacs, les sources et les chutes d’eau qui sont vénérés car considérés comme sacrés. Sa représentation dans l’art japonais remonte au XIXe siècle mais les estampes sur bois du XIXe siècle, notamment celles représentant des plages de sable et des pinèdes, ont fait de Fujisan un symbole internationalement reconnu du Japon et ont eu une profonde influence sur l’art occidental de l’époque.

Fujisan, lugar sagrado y fuente de inspiración artística source: UNESCO/ERI 富士山ー信仰の対象と芸術の源泉 source: NFUAJ Fuji berg – heilige plaats en bron van artistieke inspiratie De eenzame, vaak met sneeuw bedekte stratovulkaan – wereldwijd bekend als de berg Fuji – rijst uit boven dorpen, meren en door bossen omzoomde zee. De schoonheid van de berg vormt al lang de inspiratiebron voor kunstenaars en dichters en heeft de vulkaan tot een bedevaartsoort gemaakt. Fuji komt al sinds de 11e eeuw voor in Japanse kunst, maar dankzij de 19e-eeuwse houtsnedes groeide de 3.776 meter hoge berg uit tot internationaal symbool van Japan. Op de bovenste 1.500 meter zijn pelgrimsroutes en kraterheiligdommen te vinden.

Aan de voet van de berg bevinden zich Sengen-Jinja heiligdommen, Oshi logementen en als heilig beschouwde lavaboomstructuren, meren, bronnen en watervallen. Fujisan © Policy Planning Office, Minobu Town Outstanding Universal Value Brief synthesis The solitary, often snow-capped Mount Fuji (Fujisan), rising above villages and tree-fringed sea and lakes, has inspired artists and poets and been the object of pilgrimage for centuries. Fujisan is a solitary strato-volcano, around 100 km south-west of Tokyo that rises to 3,776 meters in height. The base of its southern slopes extends to the sea shores of Suruga Bay. The awe that Fujisan’s majestic form and intermittent volcanic activity has inspired was transformed into religious practices that linked Shintoism and Buddhism, people and nature, and symbolic death and re-birth, with worship ascents and descents to and from the summit, formalised in routes and around shrines and lodging houses at the foot of the mountain.

And the almost perfect, snow-capped conical form of Fujisan inspired artists in the early 19th century to produce images that transcended cultures, allowed the mountain to be known around the world, and had a profound influence on the development of Western art. From ancient times, pilgrims carrying a long staff, set off from the compounds of the Sengenjinja shrines at the foot of the mountain to reach the crater at its summit where it was believed that the Shinto deity, Asama no Okami resided. At the summit, they carried out a practice called ohachimeguri (literally, “going around the bowl”), processing around the crater wall. There were two types of pilgrims, those who were led by mountain ascetics, and from the 17th century onwards, those in greater numbers who belonged to Fuji-ko societies that flourished in the prosperous and stable Edo period. As pilgrimages became more popular from the 18th century onwards, organizations were established to support the pilgrims’ needs and routes up the mountain were delineated, huts provided, and shrines and Buddhist facilities built.

Curious natural volcanic features at the foot of the mountain, created by lava flowing down after volcanic eruptions, came to be revered as sacred sites, while the lakes and springs were used by pilgrims for cold ablutions, Mizugori, to purify their bodies prior to climbing the mountain. The practice of making a circuit of eight lakes, Hakkaimeguri - including the five lakes included in the Fujigoko (Fuji Five Lakes) - became a ritual among many Fuji-ko adherents. Pilgrims progressed up the mountain through what they recognised as three zones; the grass area around the base, above that the forest area and beyond that the burnt or bald mountain of its summit. From the 14th century, artists created large numbers of images of Fujisan and between the 17th to the 19th century, its form became a key motif not only in paintings but also in literature, gardens, and other crafts.

In particular the wood block prints of Katsushika Hokusai, such as the Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, had a profound impact on Western art in the 19th century and allowed the form of Fujisan to become widely known as the symbol of ‘Oriental’ Japan. The serial property consists of the top zone of the mountain, and spread out around its lower slopes shrines, lodging houses and a group of revered natural phenomena consisting of springs, a waterfall lava tree moulds and a pine tree grove on the sand beach, which together form an exceptional testimony to the religious veneration of Fujisan, and encompass enough of its majestic form to reflect the way its beauty as depicted by artists had such a profound influence on the development of Western art. Criterion (iii): The majestic form of Fujisan as a solitary strato-volcano, coupled with its intermittent volcanic activity, has inspired a tradition of mountain worship from ancient times to the present day. Through worship- ascents of its peaks and pilgrimages to sacred sites around its lower slopes, pilgrims aspired to be imbued with the spiritual powers possessed by the gods and buddhas believed to reside there.

These religious associations were linked to a deep adoration of Fujisan that inspired countless works of art depicting what was seen as its perfect form, gratitude for its bounty, and a tradition that emphasised co-existence with the natural environment. The series of sites are an exceptional testimony to a living cultural tradition centred on the veneration of Fujisan and its almost perfect form. Criterion (vi): Images of Fujisan as a solitary strato-volcano, rising above lakes and sea, have been a font of inspiration for poetry, prose and works of art since ancient times. In particular the images of Fujisan in early 19th-century Ukiyo-e prints by Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige had an outstanding impact on the development of Western art, and have allowed the majestic form of Fujisan, which can still be appreciated, to be known around the world. Integrity The series contains all the necessary components needed to express the majesty of Fujisan and its spiritual and artistic associations. However, because of development in the lower part of the mountain, the relationship between pilgrims’ routes and supporting shrines and lodging houses cannot readily be appreciated.

The serial property currently does not clearly project itself as a whole, nor does it allow a clear understanding of how each of the component sites contributes to the whole in a substantial way. There is a need to strengthen the inter-connectedness between the component sites and to introduce interpretation that allows a more accessible understanding of the value of the whole ensemble and the functions of the various parts in relation to pilgrimages. In terms of spiritual integrity, the pressure from very large numbers of pilgrims in two summer months, and the infrastructure that supports them in terms of huts, tractor paths to supply the huts and large barriers to protect the paths from falling stones, works against the spiritual atmosphere of the mountain. The Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko), and especially the two larger lakes – Lake Yamanakako and Lake Kawaguchiko, face increasing pressure from tourism and development, and the springs and ponds also face threats from low-rise development. Authenticity In terms of the ability of the series as a whole to convey its spiritual and aesthetic value, currently this is limited in relation to the way individual sites project their meaning in relation to each other, and to the whole mountain.

The component parts need to be better integrated into the whole, with the relationship between shrines, and lodging houses and the pilgrim routes being clearly set out. In terms of the authenticity of individual sites, the physical attributes relating to the upper routes, shrines and lodging houses are intact. The renewal of shrines on a periodic basis is a living tradition. The Ise Shrine is renewed on a 20-year cycle while some shrines (or parts of some shrines) associated with Fujisan are renewed on a 60-year cycle. This means their authenticity rest on their siting, design, materials and function as well as on the age of their component parts. However the location and setting of some of the component parts, such as between the five lakes, ponds, waterfall and a pine tree grove, is compromised by development that interferes with their inter-visibility. Management and protection requirements Various parts of the property have been officially designated as an Important Cultural Property, a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, a Special Natural Monument, a Historic Site, a Place of Scenic Beauty, and a Natural Monument, in addition to it being designated as a National Park.

The overall landscape of the summit is protected as part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and this includes the lava tree molds and Lakes Yamanakako and Lake Kawaguchiko. Most component sites, including the ascending routes, shrines and lakes within the summit, have been given national protection as important cultural properties, historic sites or places of scenic beauty – within the last two years. The Murayama and Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrines and the Oshino Hakkai springs were protected in September 2012. For the buffer zone protection is provided by the Landscape Act and Guidelines for Land Use Projects (and related legislation). All component parts and the buffer zones are planned to be covered by Landscape Plans around 2016. These provide the framework within which Municipalities undertake development control. What needs strengthening is how these various measures in practice control the scale and location of buildings that might impact on the sites. In principle they relate to the need for harmonious development (in colour, design, form, height, materials and sometimes scale). However, the strictest controls seem to relate primarily to colour and height.

There is a need to control more tightly the scale of buildings, as well as the location of buildings, especially the siting of buildings, including hotels, on the lower flanks of mountains. The two prefectures, Yamanashi and Shizuoka with relevant municipal governments have established the Fujisan World Cultural Heritage Council to create a comprehensive management system for the property. These bodies also work in close cooperation with the main relevant national agencies that are the Agency for Cultural Affairs, which is the competent authority charged with preserving and managing Japan’s cultural heritage properties, the Ministry of the Environment and the Forestry Agency. This Council is also receiving input from an academic committee of experts for the surveying, preservation and management of Fujisan. The Fujisan Comprehensive Preservation and Management Plan was established in January 2012 to coordinate the actions of all parties, including local residents. The plan lays out not only methods for the preservation, management, maintenance, and utilization of the property overall but also for each individual component site and also sets out the respective roles that the national and local public bodies and other relevant organizations should play.

In addition, there are park plans under the Natural Parks Law and forest management plans under the Law on the Administration and Management of the National Forests that provide measures for the management of the visual landscape from important viewpoints. The property is subject to conflicting needs between access and recreation on the one hand and maintaining spiritual and aesthetic qualities on the other hand. A ‘vision’ for the property will be adopted by the end of 2014 that will set out approaches to address this necessary fusion and to show how the overall series can be managed in a way that draws together the relationships between the components and stresses their links with the mountain. This vision will then over-arch the way the property is managed as a cultural landscape and inform the revision of the Management Plan by around the end of 2016. An overall conservation approach is needed for the upper routes and for the associated mountain huts in order to stabilize the paths, manage the erosion caused by visitors and water, and manage delivery of supplies and energy. The Fujisan World Cultural Heritage Council is planning to complete the development of a Visitor Management Strategy and adopt it by the end of 2014.

This is needed as a basis for decisions on carrying capacities for the heavily used upper routes, parking, service buildings and visual clutter, but also on how visitors may perceive the coherence of the sites and their associations. This is particularly crucial for the sites in the lower parts of the mountain where their relationship with the pilgrim routes is unclear. An Interpretation Strategy will be adopted around the end of 2014. News (1) Japan Atlas: Mt. Fuji About two thirds of the level ground. Japan's Highest Peak with Beauty and Sublimity In mountainous Japan, most of the mountains are part of mountain ranges. Mt. Fuji, however, soars into the sky alone. Located almost in the center of the country (on the prefectural border between Shizuoka and Yamanashi), this well-proportioned cone-shaped mountain has been worshiped by the Japanese people since ancient times, and is a well-known symbol of Japan in other countries. The highest peak in Japan (3,776 meters (12,385 feet)), Mt. Fuji is a relatively young volcano.

The mountain is said to have reached its present shape about 5,000 years ago, but even since then, it has repeatedly erupted, and those eruptions since the dawn of history can be found on record. The last gigantic eruption occurred in 1707. For almost 300 years since then, Mt. Fuji has been quiet and retained its rarely noble figure, but some experts say that it will surely awake again. The beauty of Mt. Fuji has often been written about by travel writers, praised by tanka and haiku poets, and depicted by painters. One of the most famous of them is Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), a noted Ukiyo-e painter in the Edo period, who created "Fugaku Sanjurokkei" (thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji), a series of Ukiyo-e of various views of the mountain. Mt. Fuji does indeed have different views, changing with the seasons and even as the time flows during a day. And this diversity may be the mountain's greatest attraction. In winter, it is covered with pure white snow.

In summer, its bluish torso wears a delicate crown of snow and stands in the mist. And at sunset, the bright red figure is awesome. Different views from viewpoints give different impressions. From Suruga Bay on the south, you can take a close look at the soaring mountain on board an excursion boat. Around the Fuji Five Lakes area, a popular highland resort on the north side of Mt. Fuji, there are many points from which you can see the whole of Mt. Fuji towering over a beautiful lake. Even from central Tokyo, the summit of Mt. Fuji can be seen on a clear day. Mt. Fuji is open to mountain climbers during July and August only every year. During these two months, as many as one million climbers head for the summit. Most climbers try to reach the summit just before dawn to glimpse the rising sun at the place closest to the sky in Japan. The panoramic view from the summit is quite splendid. Photos: (Top) Mt. Fuji and Miho no Matsubara, a famous scenic coast on the Suruga Bay (Shizuoka Prefecture); (middle) Mt. Fuji in autumn seen over Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes (JCIC).

Unauthorized reproduction of the photos in this page is prohibited. Famous Landmarks: Satellite View of Mount Fuji, Japan - Nations Online Project Satellite View of Mount Fuji ___ Famous Landmarks: Sacred Mountains - Satellite View of Mount Fuji (富士山, Fuji-san), Japan About Mount Fuji Mount Fuji or sometimes also Fujiyama is associated by people around the world with Japan . The dormant stratovolcano with its well-known cone-shaped silhouette has an elevation of 3,776 m (12.388 ft) and is the highest peak in Japan. Mt. Fuji is located on the Southern Honshu Island in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, about 100 km (60 miles) south west of Tokyo, it is one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains". The dormant volcano is actually an active volcano, even though its last last eruption was at the end of 1707. But Mount Fuji is closely watched, especially after the Tohoku earthquake in 2011, a recent rise of the internal pressure in its magma chamber has put the mountain in an imminent eruptive state, some experts expect it might happen in 2015.

Like many other mountains in the world Mt. Fuji is connected with legends and devotional beliefs. According to legends and folk tales demons, ghosts, and other magical beings are haunting in the dense Aokigahara forest, the Sea of Trees, also known as the Suicide Forest, at the northwest base of the mountain. Many temples and shrines are located on and around the volcano, the Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine at the city of Fujinomiya is one of the basic starting points for the Mt. Fuji pilgrimage. The Fujisan Hongu Sengentaisha is the main shrine for the worship of Mount Fuji since the 9th century, the shrine is dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime (木花咲耶姫), the blossom-princess, the Shinto Goddess of Mount Fuji. In Buddhist Fuji devotion, especially in that of the Fujikō belief is that the mountain would become the realm of the future Buddha Miroku (Maitreya).

φ Latitude, λ Longitude (of Map center; move the map to see coordinates): , Mount Fuji travel guide - Wikitravel Understand[ edit ] A perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone, the mountain is a near-mythical national symbol immortalized in countless works of art, including Hokusai's 36 Views of Mt. Fuji. The Japanese always refer to Mt. Fuji as Fuji-san, but the -san (山) here simply means "mountain", and has nothing to do with the honorific san (さん) for people's names. "Fujiyama" is a misreading of the name, and is never used by the Japanese themselves — except in the set phrase Fujiyama geisha. When to go[ edit ] Before the tourists go to the 5th level of the Mt Fuji, they must visit the Murayama Sengen Jinja temple because Japanese people believe that Mt Fuji is a sacred mountain firmly connected to God. They believe that the people in the past came to worship at Murayama Sengen Jinja to have good things in life. This temple is very old. It was built 1000 years ago. Some people like to see Cherry blossoms on the temple garden.

The Fuji Gen temple is located at the foothill of Mt Fuji and people most visit it feel safe. Tourists usually take a trip to all five lakes that are near the temple. Climbing out of season If you have the skills, climbing out of season can be an amazing experience — imagine being the only people on the mountain surrounded by snow looking out over an amazing landscape 3776m up! And you don't have to go all the way, as in good weather, the slopes of Fuji draw numerous people doing various sports activities. The official climbing season lasts for only two months, from July to August. Even during these months, when Tokyo often swelters in 40°C heat, temperatures at the top can be below freezing at night and climbers must dress adequately. Climbing outside the official season is extremely dangerous without alpine climbing experience and equipment. Nearly all facilities are closed in the off season. The weather, unpredictable any time of year, is downright vicious in the winter (temperatures below -40°C have been reported up top) and there are cases of people being literally blown off the mountain by high winds. All roads to the 5th station are shut out of season so you will have a long walk up.

But if you insist, you're strongly encouraged to at least file a climbing plan with the Yoshida police [1] (Japanese only). Fortunately, there are a few options for those who are not fit enough to climb or who would like to get "up close" to the mountain in the off-season. The trails at the bottom of the mountain are less steep, and suited more for an afternoon hike at any time of the year. The nearby Fuji Five Lakes (Fuji-goko) has many attractions close to the mountain, and Hakone also provides spectacular views. In a less nature-focused branch of things to do, the city of Fujiyoshida , which contains much of the mountain, is also home to Fuji-Q Highland, a leading amusement park. Get in[ edit ] Main approaches to Mt. Fuji Mt. Fuji can be approached from all sides, but note that transport schedules are sharply cut outside the official climbing season in July and August. For up to date information, the city of Fujiyoshida maintains a Fuji access page listing current routes and schedules. From Tokyo , the easiest and most popular option is to take a direct bus from Shinjuku to the trailhead at Kawaguchiko Fifth Station.

The most economical approach is by Odakyu train from Shinjuku to Gotemba , although you will have to change trains and the price difference is rather minimal. By plane[ edit ] Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport [2] near Shizuoka opened in June 2009. Despite the name, it's over 80 km away to the west of the mountain and not much closer to Mt. Fuji than Tokyo's airports. By bus[ edit ] The easiest option for reaching the slopes of Mt. Fuji is to take the Keio express bus from Shinjuku in Tokyo . The direct bus takes 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic, costs ¥2600, and takes you directly to the start of the climb at Kawaguchiko 5th Station. To buy a ticket, take the west exit at Shinjuku station, then follow the circle of bus stops to the left. The Keio building is on the corner near stop 26, right across from Yodobashi Camera. You can reserve a seat for free at Keio express bus . You will still need to pay for your ticket at the station (cash only).

As of mid 2015 there is the option of the Keio bus from Shinjuku (every hour or so) and from Shibuya station (bus boarding is above the station) named fuji-kyu-ko bus - can exit fuji-ku highlands or Kawaguchi-ko station. You can buy tickets online with credit card (service not yet in english). Depending on the time of day / day of year it can be a quicker/more convenient option than the Shinjuku-Otsuki-(snail paced train)-Fuji-san or Kawaguchi-ko station train service ( both options count on around 2hrs at best ). Note buses do not run late night - last services departing 9pm Shibuya and 11/12 Shinjuku. By train[ edit ] There is no direct access to Mt. Fuji by train, but you can get pretty close and change to a bus for the rest of the way, and doing it this way allows you to use any of the ascent or descent routes.

From Tokyo, the two main staging points are Fujiyoshida and Gotemba , while visitors from western Japan can opt for Fujinomiya (Shin-Fuji) instead. Via Fujiyoshida[ edit ] Fujiyoshida can be reached by taking the JR Chuo line to Otsuki and changing to the Fujikyu line. The Fujikyu line passes through Fujiyoshida to Kawaguchiko, from where hourly buses (50 minutes, ¥1700) shuttle to the 5th Station. If you are planning to walk from the foot of the mountain, Fujiyoshida is, also, the starting point of the Yoshida route. You will be able to visit Fujiyoshida Sengenjinja (shrine) on the way to the summit. Via Gotemba[ edit ] If heading for the Gotemba route (御殿場), Subashiri route, or Suyama route, take the JR Tokaido line from Tokyo through Odawara to Kōzu (国府津) station then change train for Gotemba.

Alternatively, if traveling from Shinjuku , take the Odakyu line to Shin-Matsuda and walk to the neighboring Gotemba line Matsuda station. This local train usually runs just once per hour. During official climbing season there are direct buses from Gotemba station to the Gotemba 5th station that take about 40 minutes and cost ¥1080/1500 one-way/return. Tickets to the Subashiri 5th station are ¥1500/2000 one-way/return. A bus for the Suyama route is ¥530 one-way. If you want to ascend and descend on different routes, you can purchase a 3-day round trip ticket for a little over ¥3000. Note that Gotemba buses run only during the official Fujisan mountain climbing season between July and August, but Subashiri route busses run till October and Suyama route busses run all year around. There is also a bus to Kawaguchiko from the Gotemba station and a bus from Shin-Matsuda to the Kawaguchiko fifth station (¥3000 one-way).

Via Fujinomiya[ edit ] Visitors coming from western Japan may wish to opt for the southern approach via Fujinomiya (富士宮) instead. The nearest Tokaido Shinkansen stop is Shin-Fuji station (新富士駅). From Shin-Fuji station, buses cost ¥4500 return. If arriving on the ordinary Tokaido line, change trains to the JR Minobu Line at Fuji station. The bus fare from Fujinomiya station to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji is 1,970 for one-way or 3,000 for round-trip.

By car[ edit ] You can travel from either : - Tomei expressway : exit at Gotemba for either the a) Subashiri trail or b) cut through to yamanaka-ko and Fujiyoshida/Kawaguchi-ko for the Fujiyoshida trail - Chuo expressway : exit at Kawaguchi with options of a) Fuji subaru line (toll road Y2,060) for the Fifth station / Fuji go-go-me or b) Fujiyoshida trail Note that all expressways in Japan are tolled and prices can be found : #tbToll : in english Alternatively take a train/bus to the area and then use a car rental service in Kawaguchi-ko or Fujiyoshida. Countryside transportation is notoriously poor. Note from 2014 onwards during the peak season the Fuji Subaru line is closed to public access and instead you will need to park at designated parking areas near/around Fuji visitor centre and take a bus service (the road is closed to public traffic) By guided tour[ edit ] There are also Fuji-san climbing tours offered by numerous travel companies throughout Japan.

These tours may include round trip bus fare, climbing guide, hut, dinner, breakfast (packed rice box), and a visit to a hot spring after the descent. Prices tend to be expensive though: a one-day "superman" tour costs around ¥20000 and a more leisurely two-day approach (including overnight stay) is over ¥30000. Most of these tours are conducted in Japanese and stick firmly to the trodden path, but if you need an English-speaking guide to accompany you to the top or want to explore the less-well known "pilgrimage" routes, Fuji Mountain Guides [3] offers small group ascents from ¥32,500 for a two-day trip, including round trip transportation from tokyo, lodging and 2 hot meals on the mountain. Get around[ edit ] Once on the mountain the only way of getting around is on foot. The sole exception is horseback riding, available on the Fujiguchiko trail between the 5th and 7th stations only for the steep price of ¥14,000.

Area : Kawaguchiko/Yamanakako/Saiko/Shojiko and Motosuko ( known as the fuji 5 lakes or Fuji-go-ko) Seasons for viewing: -Winter : December thru March crisp clear days with clear views of fuji. This is winter season. Quiet. Cold. The lakes vary in temperature with Motosuko being the coldest area and yamanakako the moderately warmer however temperatures can be well below freezing and January / February will see snowfall. Generally though during this season you will see Fuji with a snow cap. -Spring/early year : April thru mid June the weather can be mainly clear and dry with good views of Fuji. Snow will clearly be capping the peak. Evenings will be moderately cold. -Rainy season : Mid-june - Mid July as the name implies generally there can be days of back to back rain however in-between the rain it can be warm and have excellent views -Summer : Mid-June thru early September best temperature however it can be the worst time for viewing as fuji will frequently have clouds gathered - early morning best chance to see but by midmorning the view can be gone.

There is also some saying that you are lucky to see fuji during this period -Autumn/year end : Mid September - mid December temperatures remain warm through daytime and evening until early November. November/December colder temperatures set in. Viewing can be great again in October/November depending on the weather Note : March/April/May are the best months for viewing Fuji from the lakes Viewing from the lakes : -Motosuko is the least developed of the 5 lakes / the most natural. The most difficult to access unless driving. Motosuko is depicted on the Y1,000 note. Ample parking. Walking the lake takes 2hr-2hr 30min. Far side (least developed) offers the wonderful Fuji views . 1000 yen bill view. -Shojiko is perhaps the worst of the 5 lakes. It is undeveloped however the developments around the lake were built during the 60-70's and early 80's and are in poor upkeep or dilapidated (truly shocking&shameful).

The lake can be walked in 40mins-1hr but is generally unpleasant visually and also for a 1/4 of the route it is alongside the busy road that acts as a local cut through to Kofu ( route 358 ). -Saiko is marginally better than Shojiko however in terms of walking around the lake there is no footpath and for 95% of the lake you have to walk 'roadside'. Viewing is great from the Kohoku side and has parking and viewing spot with public facilities. Fuji can be seen very clearly from this lake view. -Kawaguchiko is the main lake of the 5. You can walk this lake in 2hrs 20ms - 3hrs if you are use to walking. Generally from all of one side of the lake you can see Fuji. Oishi offers very clear viewing and public facilities. The area alongside Kawaguchiko museum of Art (no english but from google maps gives the location for non-Japanese speakers) offers more good views and some options for eating/coffee.

The small section of the lake (where the lake is split with the bridge) offers easy access views of Fuji however this is the most built up area of the lake (and of all the lakes) and generally could do with a massive revamp/renovation for a main tourist area at the foot of the most revered natural heritage site in Japan. In fact for any overseas visitor the entire area Fujiyoshida/Kawaguchiko is rather unpleasant architecturally wise with majority of buildings being dilapidated or in a poor state. Shameful that this is what is presented to foreign visitors to such an important area. -Yamanakako the 2nd largest lake offers great views of Fuji. Yamanakako benefits from being far less developed than Kawaguchiko and was developed at a later date so the buildings are far less vulgar. The far shore of Yamanakako is popular with photographers early in the mornings. Yamanakako offers the option of being able to walk the lake mostly on a separate footpath with only around 15% roadside walking. The walk (again for those use to walking) 2hrs-2hrs 30mins.

Viewing spots on Hiking trails/peaks: -Motosuko / Ryugatake san offers great views towards and of fujisan across aokigahara. Accessed from walking trails along side Motosuko (trail circular route can be 3hrs+) -Saiko / Koyodai / Ashiwadayama offers a trail route that has great views of Fuji -Yamanakako / Ohira-san offers excellent views across yamanakako and of Fujisan. The walking route is relatively easy. -Oshino Hakkai is another good viewing spot and combined with an old village area ( that again could do with major renovation work considering ) that Fuji can be seen from Notes : hiking trials and viewing spots are best done before the tree foliage comes / after as that way Fuji can be viewed generally the majority of the time.

Notes : hiking is quite popular with the elderly in Japan and during the busier / warmer times it can get busy at the peak / viewing spot areas Notes : generally for the foreign visitor ( actually even for Japanese ) some of the above route starts are not clearly marked Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Torii gate at the summit No spot in this world can be more horrible, more atrociously dismal, than the cindered tip of the Lotus as you stand upon it. — Lafcadio Hearn (1898) The thing to do on Mt. Fuji is, of course, to climb it. As the Japanese say, a wise man climbs Fuji once, and a fool twice, but the true wisdom of this phrase is usually only learned the hard way. Athletes have completed the climb in under two hours and there's even a yearly race to the top [4] , but for most people it takes 4 to 8 hours at walking speed (depending on your pace), and the descent another 2 to 4. An overnight climb in order to reach the top for the sunrise (go-raiko) is the most traditional thing, but you will probably be shuffling along in a slow-moving line for the latter stages of the ascent.

Consider starting out in the late morning to reach the summit for the equally majestic sunset, with a tiny fraction of the crowds to accompany you. Afterward, you can try to sleep in a mountain hut (see below) and catch the sunrise if you like; two for the effort of one. An absolute minimum set of clothing for climbing Fuji would be: sturdy shoes (hiking boots if possible) rain-proof clothing Take it from someone who's climbed Fuji-san, do NOT wear shorts. Such a bad idea. Gloves and warm, layered clothing are also strongly recommended. Other supplies you will need are: flashlight and spare batteries (if climbing at night) sunglasses and sunscreen (which will most likely be needed during the descent even if you climb at night) toilet paper Japanese 100-yen coins, as the toilets are pay-per-use and cost either ¥100 or ¥200 plastic bags to carry garbage and keep off the damp floor. a poncho in case of rain (beware: many of the cheap ponchos sold around Tokyo will tear under moderate use) your camera for the spectacular views! Also bring along at least 1 litre of water per person, preferably 2.

High-energy snacks (Calorie Mate) as well as a more substantial fare (rice balls and such) will also come in very handy. Kawaguchiko (Fujiyoshida) route[ edit ] The most popular starting point is Kawaguchiko 5th Station (河口湖五合目 Kawaguchiko Go-gōme, 2305m), which offers you a last chance to stock on supplies (at a premium) before heading out. The initial stretch through flowery meadows is pleasant enough, but the bulk of the hike is a dreary and interminable slog: the volcanic landscape consists of jagged red rock in varying sizes from dust to boulder, with the trail zigzagging left and right endlessly, and the hike just gets steeper and steeper as you progress. Actual rock climbing is not required, but you will wish to use your hands at some points for support — bring gloves.

(If you forget them, they can be purchased in the shops at the Fifth Station for ¥200.) The trail is well marked (even at night) and in season you will find it difficult to get lost, as the trip is completed annually by 300,000 people and there may even be human traffic jams at some of the dicier spots. However, due to the danger of landslides do not venture beyond the trail; visibility may also be very rapidly reduced to near-zero if clouds roll in. Once at the top, you will pass under a small torii gate and encounter a group of huts selling drinks and souvenirs; this being Japan, you will even find vending machines on the top of Mount Fuji. Yes, this is as anticlimactic as it sounds, but with any luck seeing the sunrise above the clouds will make up for it. You can also gaze into the long-dormant crater at the center of the mountain. Strictly speaking, this is not the highest point of the mountain; that honor goes to the meteorological station on the other side of the crater, an additional 30 minutes hike away.

While some might consider it not really worth the trouble, a purist will tell you that if you do not stand at the highest point, you never really summitted, so the choice is yours. A full circuit of the crater takes around an hour. There is a separate path for descending down the mountain back to Kawaguchiko; be sure you take the right one! Do not attempt to run down the mountain; rolling down isn't fun, it's a long way to the nearest hospital, and you don't want to find out how much a helicopter medevac costs in Japan. Gotembaguchi route[ edit ] Gotembaguchi route This is the longest and toughest access route from the fifth station, with Gotemba 5th Station (御殿場五合目 Gotemba Go-gōme) located at 1440 meters, nearly 900 meters lower down than Kawaguchiko. There are separate routes for ascent and descent, which will take 7 to 10 and 1.5 to 3 hours accordingly. The path is clearly marked with signs, so night climbing (with a flashlight) is possible.

For your own safety, walking on the bulldozer path, which crosses the pedestrian path several times, is not allowed. The climb from the 5th to the 6th station is over an enormous ash field, which formed during a recent eruption in 1707. Mountain huts at the 6th, 7th and 8th stations operate during official climbing season and also provide warm food (curry rice, ramen, soba, drinks etc). Beware of rocks from 8th station and above. It is essential to bring enough water supplies or buy water at the fifth station, because there are limited places to resupply, although it may be possible to purify and drink the rainwater which is available for hand washing purposes at the mountain huts. Advantages of this trail: Fewer people, so you can go on your own speed and have more space to sleep at the mountain huts Mountain top is visible Can run down the ashed covered path from the seventh station.

No rock climbing Disadvantages of this trail: Fewer mountain huts (one each at the 6th, 7th, and 8th station) During descent ash can make clothes and shoes very dirty, also shoes may fill with ash if gaiters or other covering are not worn. Transportation to the fifth station is limited- the last bus from JR Gotemba station to the 5th station leaves around 5 pm. No vending machines located on this trail after the fifth station. Other routes[ edit ] There are two other Fifth Stations at Subashiri (須走, 1980 meters) and Fujinomiya (富士宮, 2400 meters). Fujinomiya is the shortest route, but as it is on the "wrong" side you will not be able to see the sunrise before the summit. Nevertheless, this was historically the main path to the top and is occasionally still known as Omoteguchi (表口), or "Main Entrance". Subashiri Trail is on the east side of Mount Fuji, so you'll be able to see sunrise almost anywhere from the trail.

The trail is the most gently sloped and forested up to around 2700m, making it rather more pleasant than the other routes, but it's consequently also longer in distance. The trail merges with the Kawaguchiko trail at the 8th station. Beside climbing from the fifth station, there are three routes from Sengenjinja at the foot of the mountain. They are Yoshida route, Suyama route, and Murayama route. Murayama route is the oldest climbing route, followed by Suyama route. These routes offer a glimpse of the history of Mount Fuji climbing and are being restored. Be warned, however, not to expect to see too many people climbing from these routes. Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] Mountain huts are dotted along all stations on the Kawaguchiko trail, as well as the summit itself, selling basic climbing gear (sticks, flashlights, raincoats, even oxygen canisters), drinks and candy (¥250 for a Snickers bar).

If your climbing staff becomes a cherished companion, you can pay to have an official seal burned into it marking your arrival at every station, making a handsome souvenir (as long as you don't mind lugging it around with you). Postcards – At the summit, you can set your postcards apart from the rest with a postmark from the highest post office in Japan. It's located between the 10th stations of the Gotemba and Fujinomiya routes, and is open from 6 AM to 2 PM for 42 days from early July to late August. (The exact dates change every year; in 2008, it was July 10 to August 20.) Next to the post office is a small shrine and a stand where you can purchase fairly nice embossed certificates with an official stamp to mark your ascent. (Remember, though, as they say on Mount Everest, you've only climbed the mountain if you make it back down as well.) Postcards and a special postmark are also available at Kawaguchiko Fifth Station. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] If you have the energy to haul food and drink, buy it before coming to Mount Fuji.

Once on the mountain, simple meals (curry rice and such), if available at all, will cost around ¥1000. As all materials have to be hauled up by tractors, food and drink prices are high and rise the closer you get to the summit. For example, a vending machine at the summit sells drinks and cans of corn soup for ¥400. However, as the summit has fewer people staying overnight and many more people resting, you can usually stop for a break without paying the resting fee (see Sleep ), making the price of a cup of tea or a bowl of noodles enjoyed indoors somewhat more reasonable. Kawaguchiko 5th Station is the last place to have a meal or stock up on supplies without breaking the bank, although there's a bit of inflation even here. Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] Huts from 7th station onward also offer primitive accommodation, and reservations are strongly recommended.

Prices are pretty much standardized at ¥5250 a night for a very cramped space (one tatami mat or less) shared with the halitosis, funky boot juice and snoring of 150-500 strangers, plus an optional ¥1050/2100 for one/two meals. Note that most huts will not allow visitors to stay within the (heated) huts without paying a resting fee, either ¥1000-2000 per hour or ¥5000 for the entire night. The fee may be waived if you buy a meal. The huts also have extremely basic toilets, but they get the job done (¥100/200). Instead of the usual noxious sweet deodorant, some of these toilets use a pepper scent to mask the smell of the waste. Hinode-kan, Kawaguchiko 7th Station, tel. 0555-24-6522, [5] . Notable primarily for having the only bilingual website on Mt. Fuji (but no regular bilingual staff).

A stay costs ¥5250 per person, and there is space for about 200. Fujisan Hotel, Kawaguchiko 8th Station, tel. 0555-22-0237. The largest hut on the mountain, with space for about 500. In two separate but nearby huts, it's a far cry from a hotel, but unlike most others English is spoken here. Stay safe[ edit ] Mount Fuji is a real mountain and should be treated with respect. Near the top the air is noticeably thinner, which may cause altitude sickness and breathing difficulties. The hike to the top is taxing, but injuries typically occur during the descent phase when you're tired. Especially after heavy rains landslides are also a possibility. It is very cold on top. During summer, when at the mountain foot the temperature is a sweltering 35°C, at the top it will be 7°C during the day and less during the night — ice and frost are common throughout the year. Add in strong wind and/or lashings of rain, and hypothermia can easily strike while waiting for sunrise at the goal.

If your extremities go numb or you can't control your shivering, go indoors and get warmed up. Do not climb out of season, even during months like April when it's warm down below, unless you are thoroughly prepared and know exactly what you're doing. Totally prepared means you have alpine climb gear and have climbed mountains like this before. If you choose to climb around the New Year, you could experience -30°C on the mountain top. These warnings are not a joke: on average, around 4 people die and over a dozen are injured every year on Fuji by hypothermia or falling rocks. Finally, geologists tell us that Fuji is a dormant volcano, not a dead one. The mountain has a cycle of roughly 300 years and the last eruption was in 1707, so the next one is due right about now. Get out[ edit ] If you undertake the more traditional and crowded overnight climb, be aware that the returning buses in the morning can be incredibly busy, especially from Kawaguchiko 5th Station to the bus and train station at Kawaguchiko.

It is very easy to miss your bus from Kawaguchiko onwards to Tokyo if you leave your descent too long and join the back of a huge queue of tired climbers. Hitchhiking from the parking lot may actually be a faster alternative! If you climbed Mt. Fuji and survived despite (thanks to?) all the apocalyptic warnings here, treat yourself to a dip in the hot springs at Hakone . This is a guide article. It has a variety of good, quality information including hotels, restaurants, attractions, arrival and departure info. Plunge forward and help us make it a star ! Mt Fuji Volcano, Japan - facts & information / VolcanoDiscovery: 31 km EASTERN YAMANASHI PREF Mount Fuji (Fuji-san, 富士山 in Japanese) is the highest volcano and highest peak in Japan and considered one of the 3 Holy Mountains (along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku). Fuji is a perfect, beautiful stratovolcano about 60 miles south-west of Tokyo, with an exceptionally symmetrical shape making it into famous symbol of Japan and an important element in Japanese art. It is a popular destination for excursions.

More than 200,000 people climb to the top of the Mt Fuji every year. The last eruption of Mt Fuji was in 1707–08. Between 2000 and 2001, seismic activity under the volcano was at slightly elevated levels, rising concern about a possible reawakening of the volcano. Background: Mt Fuji has a complex geologic origin. The large stratovolcano has a base diameter of almost 50 km and culminates in a 500 m wide and 250 m deep summit crater. The volcano overlies several older volcanoes, whose remnants form irregularities on Fuji's symmetrical profile, inlcuding Komitake and Ko-Fuji (Older Fuji) which was active 100,000 - 10,000 years ago. The present-day, mainly basaltic edifice started to grow about 11-8,000 years ago when large lava flows were erupted that still form 25% of the volume of the edifice today.

From 8000 to 4500 years ago, Fuji's activity was mainly explosive before another effusive cycle took place between 4500 to 3000 years ago. In the past 3000 years, large explosive eruptions occurred in between phases of milder effusive activity. From 3000 to 2000 years ago, most eruptions took place at the summit, while a large number of flank eruptions occurred during the past 2000 years, forming more than 100 flank cones. The last confirmed eruption of Mt Fuji took place in 1707 and was Fuji's largest during historical time. It deposited ash as far as present-day Tokyo and formed a large new crater on the east flank. (Source: USGS / GVP)

Question: Mount Fujiyama is in what country?
Answer: Japan