Travel to Fuji: Legends, Routes and the Best Views

Mount Fuji is Japan's most recognizable landmark. It has inspired artists, poets, and filmmakers. It is a pilgrimage site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most photographed peaks in the world.

Travelers come here to climb to the top, see the legendary reflections of Fuji in the Five Lakes, and understand why the mountain is so important to the Japanese.

We share facts and myths, tell about the cultural significance of Fujiyama, and give tips for traveling. 

Fujiyama: the main thing

What is Fujiyama

Fuji is not just a mountain, but a dormant volcano in Japan that grew on the site of several older volcanoes. Fujiyama is hundreds of thousands of years old, and its last active phase — a series of eruptions — began about 10,000 years ago and lasted until the early 18th century.

The smooth silhouette of the mountain is explained by its multi-layered structure: over thousands of years, volcanic eruptions layered lava and ash and gradually formed a perfect shape.

Fujiyama's special feature is its almost perfect symmetry, which is why it is often called the "painted mountain." Photo: Olesya, YouTravel.me travel expert

The mountain is located at the junction of three lithospheric plates, which explains its volcanic activity. Giant tectonic plates slowly move, collide and sink under each other. As a result of this process, magma is actively released from the depths of the Earth, which leads to the formation of volcanoes.

Translated from Japanese, "Fuji" can mean "incomparable" or "eternal", but the exact origin of the word still remains a mystery.

In the language of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, it could mean "fire" or "hearth deity." The Japanese themselves call it Fuji or Fujisan, and the Fujiyama we are accustomed to is related to the peculiarities of the Japanese language and reading of hieroglyphs.

Location

Fujiyama is the highest mountain in Japan, with its peak Kengamine rising to 3,776 m. It is located on the island of Honshu, 90 km from Tokyo, 15 km from the small town of Fujiyoshida, and is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

In clear weather, the summit of Fuji can be seen from a hundred kilometers away, and can even be seen from Tokyo. Photo: 

Fuji is an active volcano, although its last eruption was in 1707. On a clear day, Fuji is visible from Tokyo, and the best views are from Mount Tenjo, which can be reached by cable car, and from the Five Lakes.

Weather at the summit

It is always cold at the top of Fujiyama: even in summer the temperature can drop below zero, and in winter it can reach almost -40 °C. Strong winds blow on the slopes, and the weather changes unpredictably - fog, rain and thunderstorms are common. Below, at the foot, the climate is much milder: in winter about +6 °C, in summer - up to +25 °C.

   Mount Fuji is often surrounded by clouds, especially in the summer. This phenomenon is called a        "cloud collar" or "hood." Sometimes the clouds form a ring around the summit, giving the impression that the mountain is "wearing a hat." 


Snow on the top of Fujiyama can last all year round, and on the slopes – until summer. Then it melts and falls again in early October. But in 2024, there was no snow even by the end of the month. Snow cover on Fujiyama appeared only in November – for the first time in the last 130 years.

It is best to plan a climb to Fujiyama from July, when there is the least rain, until the end of August. At other times, the climb is dangerous due to sudden changes in temperature and strong storms.

Recent volcanic eruptions

Fujiyama is an active stratovolcano, so an eruption can begin at any moment. The last time the mountain woke up was in 1707. Then, ash emissions reached the capital of Japan, Tokyo, at that time the city was called Edo. Its streets were covered with a 15-centimeter layer of ash, and at the foot of the mountain the height of ash drifts reached three meters. Since then, the volcano has been silent, but scientists do not rule out a new eruption.

       Hoei Crater (center right of summit) is the site of the 1707 eruption.

After the powerful earthquake of 2011, the pressure in the Fuji magma basin increased, and tremors were recorded in the surrounding area. Now Mount Fuji is dormant, but it is impossible to make an accurate forecast of its activity.

History and Symbolism

Fujiyama is a sacred and religious symbol of the Japanese. Mount Fuji is not only a natural landmark, but also a sacred place for the Japanese. The upper part of the volcano, from the eighth station to the crater itself, is the private property of the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Temple. It is believed to have been founded in the 17th century. This is confirmed by a deed of gift signed by the shogun Tokugawa Hidetada.

      Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Temple, which owns part of Mount Fuji. 

Mount Fuji is a sacred place where different religions and beliefs intertwine.

The ancient Japanese believed that the souls of the dead ascended the mountain and became deities protecting families. With the development of Buddhism, the mountain became a symbol of the path to enlightenment, and its summit became the place where one attains the state of Buddha.

In the Middle Ages, a Buddhist temple was built on the summit, and the mountain itself was considered to be the location of the Pure Land of Buddha Amida. Now the main goddess is considered to be the Shinto goddess Konohana-no-sakuya-hime.

Fuji has Shinto gates, or torii, and numerous shrines that emphasize its sacred status. Torii serve as a boundary between the human world and the world of deities.

Travelers often tie bells to the gates, which adds a magical atmosphere to the place. If you close your eyes and listen to the sound of the bells in the wind, you seem to sense the presence of spirits and deities on the sacred mountain.

           The torii at the tenth station marks the entrance to the summit of Fujiyama. 

In Japanese folk beliefs, Mount Fuji is a symbol of prosperity, and many companies in Japan use its name in hopes of business prosperity. There is still a custom of fortune telling based on the first dream of the new year. Seeing Fuji in a dream is the best omen. And many Japanese dream of climbing to the top at least once in their lives and meeting the sunrise on Fuji, which they consider sacred.

Significance for Japanese culture and history

Mount Fuji is so important to Japanese culture that its image can be found almost everywhere: from traditional woodblock prints to modern anime and manga. It reflects the spiritual values ​​of the Japanese people. And its image has become an integral part of Japanese art, literature and folklore.

Fujiyama is mentioned in the ancient Japanese story "Taketori Monogatari" as "Mountain of Immortality". Its image inspired warriors: the silhouette of Fujiyama decorated armor, swords and banners.

In the 17th century, the mountain became a central element of ukiyo-e (color woodblock prints) art, and later began to be depicted on the coats of arms of cities and prefectures.

       Even manhole covers in some Japanese cities are decorated with images of Fuji.

Japanese baths traditionally feature paintings of Mount Fuji so that visitors can enjoy its beauty and feel a sense of peace even when they are far from the mountain.

Fuji's unique silhouette is used in the design of many everyday items: from fans and passport covers to napkins and traffic cones. Mount Fuji is not just a natural symbol of Japan, but part of its cultural code.

Fujiyama is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Since 2013, Mount Fuji and the surrounding area of ​​Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park have been protected by UNESCO.

Interestingly, the mountain was included in the World Heritage List not as a natural, but as a cultural site. For the Japanese, Fujiyama is not just a volcano, but a sacred place and a source of inspiration for artists and poets for centuries.

The Fuji-Hakone-Izu Park is home to the historic Tokaido and Hakone Kansaido routes, used by samurai and pilgrims.

Fuji currently has strict rules: no more than 4,000 people are allowed to climb daily. This is due to overcrowding of the routes and the need to preserve the fragile ecosystem.

Yamanashi Prefectural Governor Kotaro Nagasaki emphasizes that such measures will help preserve the mountain for future generations. He also reminds that for many Japanese, climbing Fuji is not just tourism, but a spiritual pilgrimage.

Interesting facts about Fujiyama

Legends and myths associated with Fujiyama

Mount Fuji has always been more than just a volcano: it is surrounded by many legends that have their roots in ancient Japanese beliefs. 

One of the oldest stories is that the mountain grew overnight in 285 CE. Another legend is about the god Mioya-gami-no-mikoto, who asked the spirit of Fuji for a place to stay for the night, but was refused. In revenge, he covered the peak with eternal snow, making it difficult for people to reach.

 

Mount Fuji is often associated with immortality. According to one legend, a Chinese emperor came here in search of the elixir of eternal life, but died at the foot of it. However, the Japanese believed that in this way he achieved true immortality.

            Encyclopedia of Housekeeping, 1849. 

In another story, the goddess Konohana-no-sakuya-hime, patron of Fuji, proved her purity by emerging unharmed from a burning room at Fuji Sengen Temple. The Yoshida Fire Festival is held in her honor every August 26–27.

On the first evening, the city is lit with torches, and the next day, people carry omikoshi (a portable Shinto shrine resembling a miniature temple) in the shape of Fuji through the streets and throw them on the ground - locals believe that this way they can prevent the volcano from erupting.

             Contemplation of Mount Fuji. 1814. Manga. 

The most famous legend is about Princess Kaguya, who was found by an old man in a glowing bamboo stalk. Kaguya was sent from the moon, but was later supposed to return home. The emperor, who fell in love with her, wrote a letter and ordered it to be burned on the top of Fuji so that the smoke from it would reach Kaguya. It is believed that the smoke from this fire still envelops the mountain.

       During the Yoshida Fire Festival, 70 three-meter-tall torches are lit throughout the city of Fuji-                 Yoshida. 

Fujiyama in Art: From Prints to Contemporary Art

Mount Fuji has inspired artists and writers for centuries. It was first depicted in medieval scrolls and later in the works of masters of the Rinpa school of Japanese painting.

The volcano is often depicted in ukiyo-e prints. The most famous prints belong to Katsushika Hokusai, who created the cycle "36 Views of Fuji".

After the Paris Exhibition of 1867, European artists became interested in the mountain. Van Gogh copied Japanese prints, and Claude Debussy was inspired by Hokusai's prints when he created the symphony "The Sea".

"Hodogaya Area, Tokaido Highway" is one of Katsushika Hokusayu's prints from the series "36 Views of Fuji". 

"Watermill at Onden" is another print by Katsushika Hokusai from the series "36 Views of Fuji".

Fuji was often depicted on armor, helmets, and swords. One of the most famous military leaders and statesmen in Japanese history, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, wore a cloak with the silhouette of the mountain and "divine fire."

Despite the frequent eruptions, the Japanese tried not to draw the volcano in anger, as they believed that this could wake it up.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi conquers Shikoku, 1883.


Today, Mount Fuji is still popular in art. Contemporary artists use traditional Japanese techniques, including ukiyo-e, lithographs, mezzotints, and the rare kappazuri technique.Using lithography, an image is applied to a stone or metal surface and then transferred to paper.

The mezzotint technique involves deep printing, which creates images with smooth gradients and rich chiaroscuro. Kappazuri is an ancient Japanese screen printing technique in which paint is applied through a cut-out template, resulting in vibrant, high-contrast images.

"Victorious Wind. Clear Day", or "Red Fuji", is another print by Katsushika Hokusai from the series "36 Views of Fuji".

The mountain can be seen in anime, movies and literature, and is often mentioned as a symbol. For example, in the book How to Move Mount Fuji, it is used as a metaphor for overcoming difficulties. In the film Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), the snow-capped peak serves as a backdrop for the main scenes, conveying the atmosphere of traditional Japan.

          Still from the film "Memoirs of a Geisha".

In the anime Your Name (2016), the mountain appears in the landscapes and symbolizes the connection between the past and the present. In the manga and anime Demon Slayer, the characters train in its vicinity.

In literature, Mount Fuji appears in Haruki Murakami's novel "Runaway Wonderland and the End of the World" as a mystical image of the border between reality and imagination.