Mount Fuji

With 3.776 metres, it’s Japan’s highest mountain

Mount Fuji is the symbol of Japan. The mountain is 3,776 meters high. It is not actually a mountain, but a dormant volcano.

The famous volcano plays a big role in the physical, cultural and spiritual geography of Japan. Its lonely peak rises up above the villages, lakes and forests, and you can see it all the way from Tokyo. And you can climb it or hike on the hills.

Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan, it’s about 100 kilometers from Tokyo and you can see it from the city. The mountain is 3.776 meters high, and it’s actually not a mountain but a dormant volcano that has been inactive for centuries.

It has been a holy place for the followers of the ethnic Japanese religion of Shinto since the 7th century, with several holy sites at the foot of the mountain and also around the crater.

The famous photo with the Chureito Pagoda

De beroemde tempel met Mount Fuji: Chureito Pagoda.

The Chureito Pagoda is the place to take the famous photo of the temple and Mount Fuji. It is by far the most beautiful place to photograph Mount Fuji. Chureito Pagoda is located in Yamanashi Prefecture and is easily accessible by public transport.

Keep in mind that it can get busy here. Especially in the spring when the blossom trees are blooming. And in the fall when the leaves turn red. But the photos are extra beautiful.

Wandelen Mount Fuji

Hiking on Mount Fuji is spectacular.

There are numerous hiking trails on Mount Fuji. And where you have a spectacular view of the mountain. Inquire about the possibilities and possible closures, for example due to rain, locally. You can do this at the cable car that takes you up on the mountain.

Climbing Mount Fuji for the sunrise

The sunrise on Mount Fuji.

You can climb Mount Fuji, and the best time to do this is between the middle of June to the end of September. The climate is mild then, there is no snow and you can ascend with relative ease. It’s not extremely steep, but sometimes you have to clamber up a bit.

There is a road to the Fujinomiya 5th Station, which is closest to the peak, and you can start your climb here, but there are other stations to start from as well. Expect to take 4 to 7 hours to ascend and 2 to descend.

Hike around the crater

You can circumnavigate the crater in about an hour but do include that in your planned travel time as well. You can stay overnight in one of more than 10 huts along the way, which can be worth it if you want to see the sunrise from the top of the mountain.

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