Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is a stratovolcano composed of basalt, and its current edifice formed over the past 100,000 years atop two older volcanoes: Komitake and Ko-Fuji.¹ It sits at the junction of the Philippine Sea, Pacific, and Eurasian plates, a tectonically active zone. The volcano has erupted repeatedly, with the most recent being the Hōei eruption of 1707–1708, which deposited ash as far as Edo (modern Tokyo) and created the Hōei crater on the southeast flank.² Since then, it has remained dormant, though seismic activity and steam vents indicate it is still considered active. Monitoring by the Japan Meteorological Agency includes continuous seismic and deformation measurements, and hazard maps outline potential lava flows and ashfall scenarios.

Mount Fuji has been a sacred mountain in Shinto and Buddhism for centuries, revered as the abode of deities such as Konohanasakuya-hime. Ascetic practices, including the Fuji-kō pilgrimage groups, emerged in the Edo period (1603–1868), and the mountain became a destination for lay pilgrims.³ The artist Katsushika Hokusai immortalized the mountain in his series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (c. 1830–1832), including the iconic Great Wave off Kanagawa. The mountain's symmetrical form has also influenced landscape design, such as the artificial hills in Japanese gardens. In 2013, UNESCO inscribed Mount Fuji as a World Heritage Site under cultural criteria, recognizing its role in art, religion, and pilgrimage.⁴

Climbing Mount Fuji is a popular activity, with the official season running from early July to early September, when weather is safest and mountain huts are open. There are four main trails: Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya, each with numbered stations; the highest is Station 10 at the summit. The Yoshida Trail is the most frequented, drawing crowds for sunrise views (goraikō).⁵ Outside the season, climbing is discouraged due to severe weather and snow. The mountain also attracts non-climbers: the Fuji Five Lakes region at the northern base offers views and recreation, and the surrounding area is a hub for hot springs and cultural sites. Visitor numbers have grown, prompting measures to manage congestion and environmental impact.

Beyond the well-known facts, Mount Fuji holds many lesser-known facets. The mountain's name is thought to derive from the Ainu word fuchi, meaning fire deity, though other etymologies exist. It is one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains" along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. The Hōei eruption created a second crater, now a popular detour for climbers. Fuji's base hosts the Aokigahara forest, a dense woodland associated with legends and, unfortunately, suicides. The mountain is also a site of scientific research: its symmetrical cone has been used as a calibration target for satellite instruments. In 2020, a new law restricted drone flights over the mountain to protect safety and privacy. Additionally, Mount Fuji is a designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument of Japan, and its image appears on the 1,000-yen note.

Stratovolcano

A conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash.

Hōei eruption

The last confirmed eruption of Mount Fuji, occurring in 1707–1708 during the Hōei era.

Fuji-kō

Edo-period pilgrimage groups dedicated to the worship of Mount Fuji.

Goraikō

The sunrise viewed from the summit of Mount Fuji, a sought-after experience for climbers.

Aokigahara

A dense forest at the northwestern base of Mount Fuji, also known as the Sea of Trees.