Mount
Fuji

the worshipped mountain

Mt. Fuji, at 12,388 ft above sea level, is the tallest mountain in Japan and is known for its graceful, conical shape. Fuji is a sacred symbol of Japan, with temples and shrines all around and at its peak. Mountain climbing has always been an important religious practice in Japan, and Mt. Fuji is one of the most popular tourist attractions.

Overview

Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan. It is a 12,388-ft (3,776 m) mountain about 60 miles (100 km) west of the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area on the Pacific coast of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures in central Honshu. It is a volcano that has been dormant since it last erupted in 1707, but is still classified as active by geologists today. It is the main peak of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (1936) and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

Cultural Significance

The origin of the mountain's name is not certain, but it first appeared in the Fudoki of Hitachinokuni (713) as Mountain of Fuji. Some say that it derives from the Ainu word "san" meaning "fire" or "mountain". Today, however, Mt. Fuji is written in Kanji, which is more auspicious. Japanese people call it "Fuji-san", but foreigners call it "Fujiyama," which translates to "Mount". Mt. Fuji has become world famous for its graceful, conical shape and is regarded as a sacred symbol of Japan. Japanese people have a personal affinity for the mountain, and thousands of Japanese climb the summit shrine every summer. Katsushika Hokusai's "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji", a woodblock print published between 1826 and 1833, is an image that has been reproduced countless times in Japanese art.

Origin

According to tradition, the volcano was formed by an earthquake in 286 B.C. The truth, however, is more complicated. Although the age of Mt. Fuji is disputed, it appears to have formed over the past 2.6 million years with its base forming around 65 million years ago, and the first eruption likely occurring 700,000 years ago resulting in its first summit. Fuji is a stratovolcano that formed between Komidake, on the northern slope, and Ashitaka, on the southeastern slope, around 400,000 years ago. The present Mt. Fuji was formed by the amalgamation of three volcanoes, with Komidake at the base. Eruptions from Old Fuji covered Komitake over the next several thousand years, but the peak of Komitake continued to protrude from the slope of Old Fuji. Shin-Fuji became active about 10,000 years ago and has continued to erupt and emit plumes of smoke from time to time since then. As a result, the slopes of the former mountain were covered, increasing the size of the summit and creating today's almost perfectly tapered shape.

Geometrics

The base of the volcano is approximately 78 miles (125 km) in circumference and 25 to 30 miles (40 to 50 km) in diameter. The crater is about 1,600 feet (500 meters) in surface diameter with a depth of about 820 feet (250 meters) located at the summit. Around the jagged edge of the crater are eight peaks: Mt. Ezo, Mt. Izu, Mt. Kamishudake, Mt. Komagatake, Mt. Mushiake, Mt. Kenkagamine, Mt. Kitamitake, and Mt. Kushigatake. Fuji is part of the Fuji Volcanic Belt, a volcanic archipelago that extends from the Mariana and Izu Islands through the Izu Peninsula and northward to northern Honshu. According to geologists, the Nankai Trough, which extends along the southern coast of Japan, is subducting the Pacific Plate beneath the Philippine Plate, which is likely to increase volcanic activity at Mt. Fuji with eruptions occurring in approximately 500-year cycles. The most recent major eruption was recorded in December 1707, when volcanic ash reached as far as Edo, burying temples and residences.

VIEW OF THE CRATER FROM THE SUMMIT

35° 21′ 45″ N, 138° 43′ 50.16″ E | 35.3625, 138.7306
3776.12 m | 12388.84514 ft

Fuji-san

that's what we call the mountain

Mt. Fuji has been the subject of various creative works, including paintings and literature, because of its beautiful appearance. Fuji is mentioned in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest collection of waka poems compiled in the 8th century. It has also been the subject of classical works such as “Taketori Monogatari” and “Ise Monogatari”, which are haikus by Matsuo Basho and Yosako Buson, and works by Natsume Soseki (“Fuji”) and Dazai Osamu (“Hagoromo”). In the late Muromachi period (1336-1573) and early Edo period (1603-1867), Mt. Fuji was also depicted in ukiyoe paintings such as “Fugaku Sanjurokkei” by Katsushika Hokusai, “Fujisanjurokkei” by Utagawa Hiroshige, and “Tokaido Gojyosantsugi”. It influenced European painters such as Monet and Van Gogh, who saw these paintings. In modern times, artists such as Yokoyama Taikan, known for “Gunsei-Fuji”, have created many Fuji-related pieces. Thus, Mt. Fuji has been closely related to artistic activities throughout the ages, inspiring people even today.

From the distant past

exists in
our lives

A man stands precariously on top of a rocky outcrop, casting a net into the wild Fujikawa River. Man and nature seem to merge. His tense body mimics the movement of the waves, its curves reflected in the rocks. The triangular shape created by the fishing line echoes the shape of the towering Mt. Fuji.

Mt. Fuji themed products

Fujiyama Edo

Tajima Glass

Gold Leaf Fuji

Tajima Glass

Sake Cup Fujiyama

NOUSAKU

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Mount
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Fuji-san

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MountFuji

Fuji-san

exists inour lives

Mt. Fuji themed products

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Mount
Fuji

exists in
our lives

Explore your journey to
Mt. Fuji