Mount Fuji
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.
Mount Fuji is an active volcano, which most recently erupted in 1707. It stands on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures and can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days.
Mount Fuji is the single most popular tourist site in Japan, for both Japanese and foreign tourists
Places to visit in Mount Fuji
1 Climbing Mount Fuji
The height of Mount Fuji is 12.390 feet (3776 meters) and there are different ways to climb it. There are 4 main routes which differ in difficulty and the time needed to make the journey. The views from the top combined with the sense of achievement make the trip incredibly rewarding. Climbing Mount Fuji is very popular not only among Japanese but also foreign tourists, who seem to make up more than a third of all hikers. The peak season for climbing Mount Fuji is during the school vacations which last from around July 20 to the end of August
When to Climb?
Early July to mid September is the official climbing season when the trails and mountain facilities are open. During this period the mountain is usually free of snow, the weather is relatively mild, access by public transportation is easy, and the mountain huts are operating.
The Gotemba 5th Station is the least developed of the four 5th stations on Mount Fuji, and consists of little more than a small shop, a bus stop, toilets and parking lots. You can enjoy Mount Fuji and its beautiful scenery up close from Subashiri 5th Station with its easy bus access. There is also good access to the small peak of Kofuji. And from there, there is a good view of Lake Yamanaka and Mount Fuji.
3 Fujiten Snow Resort
Fujiten is a ski resort located near Mt. Fuji. There are many kinds of fun activities on offer; from skiing and snowboarding, junior slopes, to kids’ winter activities.
4 Fujinomiya 5th Station
The Fujinomiya Trail starts at the Fujinomiya Trail 5th Station and leads to the summit from the south side of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture (Fujinomiya City). The Fujinomiya 5th Station is the second most popular and second most developed of the four fifth stations on Mount Fuji. It is the easiest to access by public transportation from western Japan, and is served by direct buses from Shin-Fuji and Mishima Stations along the JR Tokaido Shinkansen.
5 Snow Town Yeti
Snow Town Yeti is a small ski resort on the southern slope of Mount Fuji. It is notable as one of only two ski resorts found on Mount Fuji (the other is Fujiten) and because it is one of the first snow resorts in Japan to open each season (around mid to late October with man made snow). Yeti, located at the Second Station of Mt. Fuji, is the place to enjoy winter activities. Visitors must purchase an admission ticket to use the facilities. The courses are laid out in a unique way sloping down from the Center House, so once you finish warming up you can hit the slopes without having to ride a lift! Of course, skis and snowboards can be used on all courses.
6 Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station
Fuji Subaru Line Gogōme, also known as Yoshidaguchi 5th Station or Kawaguchiko 5th Station) lies at approximately the halfway point of the Yoshida Trail, which leads from Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine at the mountain’s base to the summit of Mount Fuji.
Fuji Subaru Line is a popular driving route connecting Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji 5th Station. You have to pay the toll, but at a stretch you can climb the hill by car to 2,300 m above sea level.