Mount Fuji in Japan is truly a wonder of the world! And there are so many interesting myths and facts connected with its origin. The tall snowcapped peak disappears into the swirls of cloud, such a remarkable sight to behold! It calls out local tourists and hikers worldwide to gaze at it in awe or climb up to the summit and bask in the spectacular views.
We collected many fun facts about this majestic mountain, like what´s Mount Fuji in Japanese called, its height, its enormous size, the exact location and so much more. Let´s dive in! 🙂
UNESCO site, of course!
The landscape view from the top of Mount Fuji in Japan will make you gasp with amazement. And walking along the rim of the crater will be an outstanding experience for the climbers. Because of its sacrality and beauty, Mount Fuji received a UNESCO World Heritage Site title in 2013. Its grandeur and cultural symbolism have been a source of inspiration for artists to this day. Besides, we have a lot more fun facts to share with you about Mount Fuji in Japan
Here comes every interesting detail about the oh-so-grand Mount Fuji!
A little peek into the history and geology of Mount Fuji in Japan
Mount Fuji in Japanese is also called Fujisan or Fujiyama. The history of this splendid mountain dates back to the 7th century when a monk first ascended it in the year 663. It first appeared around 2.6 million years ago. This mountain is a Japanese landmark that represents its history, culture, and religion. The connection of Mount Fuji to its religion and civilization is intriguing and is a subject of curiosity for the world.
Geological structure of Mount Fuji
At 12,380 feet in height (3,776 meters), it stands as the tallest mountain in Japan. It is located just 100 km to the southwest of Tokyo on Honshu Island's Yamanashi and Shizuoka ken prefectures. The Fuji Hakone Izu National Park reserves the impressive Mount Fuji of Japan as the central piece of attraction.
Mount Fuji is a conical-shaped stratovolcano. It has emerged into an intimidating form after erupting sixteen times in between the years 800 to 1707. The layers of hardened lava and tephra accumulating on the mountain have changed Fujisan's geology over the years. The original form of Mount Fuji came to exist over 10,000 years ago, but exposure to wind, rain, and snow has given rise to valleys and caves on Fuji Volcano.
Mount Fuji is a sacred symbol of Japan
Mount Fuji has been a sanctity for practitioners of the Shinto religion in Japan since millennials. Konohanasakuya-hime is the Goddess, a princess, and daughter of the God of mountains, Ooyamatumi-no-kami, so Japanese worship Mount Fuji as a God. Also, Shinto shrines are established at the base of Mount Fuji, and there is a head shrine built at the summit, the Okumiya Shrine.
Pilgrimage groups climb Mount Fuji each summer to reach the summit and worship at the head shrine. The Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha is a separate shrine at the peak and is built to appease Mount Fuji (Kami) to avoid its rage (eruptions). Moreover, after scaling Mount Fuji, the pilgrimage groups engage in a religious practice called Ohachimeguri, where they climb all of the eight peaks of Mount Fuji.
The importance of Mount Fuji is evident from the fascinating tales of revering Mount Fuji as a Kami, a deity who is the maiden princess with cherry blossom as her symbol.
Also check out: Our 16+ favorite pictures of our trip to Mount Fuji, Japan
Tourism at Mount Fuji
The sheer magnificence of Mount Fuji has rendered it one of the most sought-after tourism attractions. The climbing season starts during summer, from July to mid-September. And, you will have a fantastic tourism experience if you know the best times to visit Mount Fuji. Whether you watch the epic mountain from up close or soak in the view from far, you can do a lot more than just staring at Mount Fuji in wonderment. There are many activities around Mount Fuji to engage in before hiking through the Mount Fuji trails.
The villages and lakes surrounding Mount Fuji add to its glory. The shrines are the essence of Japanese culture. The lush forests, amusement parks, beautiful resorts, and restaurants provide unending entertainment with panoramic views of Mount Fuji. Apart from hiking to the summit of the mountain, you can explore these tourists hotspots in the vicinity of Mount Fuji.
- Lake Kawaguchi
- Fuji-Q Highland
- Aokigahara forest
- Chureito Pagoda park
- Oishi Park
- Arakurayama Sengen Park
Things to know before climbing Mount Fuji
About 300,000 hikers climb the regal Mount Fuji in Japan every year. As much fun as trailing up Mount Fuji sounds, it will be a dangerous and tiring hike, nonetheless. So, both amateur hikers and professional mountaineers should wear proper climbing gear to have a great climbing experience. There is a total of 10 stations on Mount Fuji. The climbing journey through the trails begins from the 5th station.
To reach the summit, you can go through any one of the four trails on Mount Fuji. The most popular being Yoshida Trail on Yamanashi Prefecture, with the most amenable huts. The huts on these trails provide a much-needed break to the climbers. They can take a breather and buy water and snacks before continuing their journey to reach the top. To view the incredible sunrise from the Mount Fuji peak, you should take the Yoshida trail.
Moreover, the first-timers or novices can climb Mount Fuji with a travel company and let them make all the necessary arrangements. They will guide you and make sure you have an amazing journey of climbing up Mount Fuji.
A must read before you go: Top 10 Things to do in Mount Fuji, Japan – Highlights and tips!
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The best times to catch Mount Fuji in its full glory
There are certain times where you can catch sight of Mount Fuji in all its glory. “Red Fuji,” “Diamond Fuji,” and “Pearl Fuji” are the terms that define how divine Mount Fuji looks at different times of the day.
Red Fuji
The peak of Mount Fuji gleams red at the time of sunset and sunrise during summer. Between summer and autumn, the snow at the volcano's peak starts melting. Therefore, when sunlight hits the summit of Mount Fuji, it shines red, a seasonal view one shouldn’t miss.
Diamond Fuji
Likewise, when the sun rises, it sits at the summit of Mount Fuji, and the sun rays hitting the peak create a picture of a diamond glistening at the peak of the Fujisan.
Pearl Fuji
When the full moon cradles itself at the summit of Mount Fuji, it looks like a pearl is glistening at the top of Mount Fuji. The radiant sight occurs once a month. So, if you want to catch the moment, make sure you are present there at the full moon.
Sakasa Fuji
Upside Down Fuji (Sakasa Fuji) is a sight that appears on the lake Kawaguchi. The phenomenon occurs on windless days. When the air is clear, the image of Mount Fuji reflects on lake Kawaguchi's water. If you have been to Japan and brought Japanese currency as a souvenir, you must have noticed the image of Sakasa Fuji printed on it. Fujisan is a symbol of pride and sacrality for the Japanese, and it shows everywhere in Japan.
Conclusion
Mount Fuji is a majestic volcano comprised of four mountains. It undoubtedly looks like an object from another world. The spiritual and cultural connection of Mount Fuji to its nation sparks curiosity to know more about its origins and history. And the mindblowing views? That's what pulls thousands of tourists to this magical place every year.
You don't have to be a climber to visit Mount Fuji in Japan. The parks, hotels, resorts, lakes, and forests provide plenty of activities to enjoy with Mount Fuji in full view. However, it will be a shame to visit Fujisan without hiking to the summit to take in the breathtaking views. But, if that's not your thing, then by all means revel in the magnificence of Mount Fuji from afar 🙂
Before you go…
Did we inspire you with this article? We love that! But we would love it even more if you would see more of this planet with your own eyes. Book your flight and hotel here! And before you book your trip to this bucket list location, and get to hear what Mount Fuji sounds like in Japanese, get the correct travel insurance so that you can enjoy hiking the Fujisan to the max!