Mount Fuji, Japan
BY: MARIANNE FAYE PILOTIN
MOUNT FUJI JAPAN
Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan. The mountain contributes to Japan's
physical, cultural, and spiritual geography. Mount Fuji is the
tallest mountain in Japan, standing at 3,776 meters (12,380 feet). It is
an active volcano, sitting on a "triple junction" of tectonic activity: the
Amurian plate (associated with the Eurasian tectonic plate), the Okhotsk
plate (associated with the North American plate) and the Filipino plate all
converge in the region beneath Mount Fuji. It is only 100 kilometers (62
miles) from Tokyo, Japan's capital and largest city. In fact, the last time
Mount Fuji erupted, in 1707, volcanic ash fell on Tokyo.
Location & Geography
The mountain is located in Yamanashi and Shizuoka ken
(prefectures) of central Honshu, Japan, about 60 miles (100
km) west of the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area. It is
a volcano that has been dormant since its last eruption, in
1707, but is still generally classified as active by geologists.
The mountain is the major feature of Fuji-Hakone-Izu
National Park (1936), and it is at the centre of
a UNESCO World Heritage site designated in 2013. The
base of the volcano is about 78 miles (125 km) in
circumference and has a diameter of some 25 to 30 miles
(40 to 50 km). At the summit of Mount Fuji the crater
spans about 1,600 feet (500 metres) in surface diameter
and sinks to a depth of about 820 feet (250 metres).
Around the jagged edges of the crater are eight peaks—
Oshaidake, Izudake, Jojudake, Komagatake, Mushimatake,
Kengamine, Hukusandake, and Kusushidake.
“ADDITIONAL INFORMATION”
A sacred mountain (one sect, the Fujikō, accords it
virtually a soul), Mount Fuji is surrounded by temples and
shrines, there being shrines even at the edge and the
bottom of the crater.
Climbing the mountain has long been a religious practice,
though until the Meiji Restoration (1868) women were not
allowed to climb it.
The ascent in early times was usually made in the white
robes of a pilgrim. Today hundreds of thousands of
pilgrims and recreational climbers alike flock there
annually, mostly during the climbing season from July 1
to August 26. Typically, climbers set out at night in
order to reach the summit by dawn.
FUN FACTS
1. It is three volcanoes in one
It might look like it’s just one giant mountain, but Mount Fuji is actually made up of three separate volcanoes: Komitake at the
bottom, Kofuji in the middle and Fuji at the top, which is the youngest of the three.
2. Women were forbidden to climb it until 1868
As the mountain has sacred importance and climbing it has long been a religious practice, it was formally forbidden territory for
women until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. The first western woman to reach the summit was Lady Fanny Parkes in 1869.
3. It is a sacred mountain
Mount Fuji has been a sacred site for followers of the Shinto religion since the 7 th century, with Shintoists considering the peak
sacred to the goddess Sengen-Sama, and many shrines can be found at the base and ascent. It is one of Japan’s three holy
mountains, along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku.
4. It was first climbed by a monk
The first person to ascend Mount Fuji is believed to have been a monk in the year 663AD, although his name is unknown.
Following this, the peak was climbed regularly by men with Sir Rutherford Alcok being the first known Westerner to reach the
summit in 1860.
5. It is a symbol of Japan
Mount Fuji has long been one of Japan’s famous iconic symbols, contributing to the country’s cultural and spiritual geography.
Over the years the peak has evolved from an object of worship to a source of artistic inspiration, having featured in poetry,
literature and countless art prints.
6. It is an active volcano
While it may be a site of serene and sacred beauty, Mount Fuji is actually an active volcano which sits on a triple junction of
tectonic activity, where the American, Okhotsk and Philippine plates meet.
7. It last erupted in 1707
Despite being an active volcano, Mount Fuji hasn’t erupted since 1707, when it erupted for two weeks. This caused ash to fall
on its neighboring cities in Tokyo and formed a new crater and peak on its south-eastern side.
8. It is surrounded by five beautiful lakes
The base of Mount Fuji is surrounded by five stunning lakes which sit around 1,000 feet above sea level and offer
spectacular views of the mountain. The lakes area has become a popular spot among tourists thanks to their unrivalled
setting. Due to the geothermal activity in the area, there are hot springs to bathe in – perfect for easing those aches and
pains after a long day’s climbing.
9. There are four trails to the top
It takes an average of around six hours to reach the summit of the mountain and there are four different trails which you
can take to get you there. Ten rest stations await along each route, offering food, drink, and rest spots, and if you are a
novice climber, it’s recommended you take the popular Yoshidaguchi Trail to the mountain top.
10. It is the most climbed mountain in the world
Being Japan’s most popular attraction, the mountain is visited by around 300,000 climbers every year and considering it
can only be accessed for just over two months of the year, that’s a pretty impressive number.
THINGS TO DO IN MOUNT FUJI
CLIMB MOUNT FUJI
Climbing Fuji is an extremely popular undertaking for both Japanese and international visitors.
The more popular trails are likely to be congested as you join a column of many hundreds of
people moving up the mountain.
1. ENJOY THE BEST VIEWS OF FUJI
Rising almost 4km above sea level, Mount Fuji is an unmissable sight. Equally imposing as it is
beautiful, the mountain can be seen for great distances and from endless angles.
3. ITCHIKU KUBOTA ART MUSEUM
The museum consists of the main exhibition building, the Gaudi-esque ‘New Wing’ building,
two cafes and a landscaped garden.
4 . FUJIYOSHIDA SENGEN SHRINE
The shrine acts as the trailhead for the Yoshida Trail that ascends to the summit of Fuji and even
if they won’t walk from there, many climbers enroute to climb Fuji stop at the shrine to pay their
respects, invoke the spirit and ask for safe passage. Regardless of whether you will be climbing
Fuji yourself, the shrine is well-worth a visit. Set back from the road and along an avenue of trees
– typical of many Shinto shrines – the shrine is a solemn and beautiful destination.
5. HOT SPRINGS OF HAKONE
Set amongst the beautiful landscape of the national park and often enjoying outstanding views
of Mount Fuji, the numerous onsen of the region have long been visited by those seeking beauty
and relaxation.
“SOURCE”
1. https://www.britannica.com/place/Moun
t-Fuji
2. https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/sm
r/mount-fuji/things-to-do-around-moun
t-fuji-central-japan/
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