Mount Fuji, Fujiyama, or Fuji-san, the most iconic sight in Japan, towers at 3,776 meters (12,380 feet), the country's tallest mountain. Several fascinating attractions, sightseeing spots, hiking trails, and much more can be found in the almost perfectly shaped volcano and its neighbouring prefectures.

 

Are you familiar with these five facts about Mt. Fuji?

 

Fact 01: It is three volcanoes in one. 

It might look like just one giant mountain, but Mount Fuji is 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.

 

Fact 02: It is a holy mountain.
Mount Fuji has been a sacred site for the Shinto religion's followers since the 7th 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.

 

Fact 03: It is an active volcano.

Even though Mount Fuji can be considered a site of sacred and serene beauty, it is actually an active volcano that last erupted in 1707.

 

Fact 04: It is surrounded by five gorgeous lakes.

Mount Fuji's base is surrounded by five stunning lakes around 1,000 feet above sea level and offers spectacular mountain views. 

 

 

 

Fact 05: It is the most climbed mountain in the world. 

The sacred mountain is visited by around 300,000 climbers every year over two months each year in Summer when it is open to the public. Impressive! 

 

 

 

- Climbing Fujisan -

To climb Mount Fuji, there are four trails, open from July to September, which will take you to the mountaintop:

Yoshida trail (2,300m), Subashiri trail (2,000m), Gotemba trail (1,450m) and the Fujinomiya trail (2,400m). 

 

To avoid crowds and experience Mount Fuji's serenity, we recommend climbing on a weekday in the first half of July. This is before the start of the school holidays.

 

 

 

 

- Admiring Mt Fuji -

If you would rather sit back, relax and enjoy views of the Mount with a glass of sake in hand, then here are some of the finest places to do that.

 

Fuji Five Lakes: The region lies at the northern base of Mount Fuji, about 1,000 meters above sea level, around the lakes Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako, Shojiko and Motosuko. It is one of the most scenic places to view Mount Fuji from a close distance.

 

Hakone: Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than one hundred kilometres from Tokyo. Famous for hot springs, natural beauty and the view across Lake Ashinoko of the mythical Mount Fuji, Hakone is one of the most popular destinations among Japanese and international tourists looking for a break from Tokyo.

 

 

View of Mt Fuji from Hakone.

 

 

Fujinomiya: The city grew up around Fujinomiya Sengen Shrine, the region's most prominent and influential shrine, which is also the traditional starting point of the mountain's approach. Many visitors still start the climb from Fujinomiya via the Fujinomiya 5th Station, as it is the shortest and one of the most popular routes up the mountain.

 

Are you planning to visit Mt. Fuji on your next visit? Let us know or even send us your pictures :)