Mount Fuji (Fuji-san) is with 3776 meters Japan's highest mountain. It is not surprising that this almost perfectly shaped volcano has been worshipped as a sacred mountain and experienced big popularity among poets, painters and other artists.

Mount Fuji is located in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures and can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on days with clear weather conditions (the air tends to be clearest during the winter months). The Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka closely passes by Mount Fuji.

In order to view Mount Fuji from the shinkansen (bullet train), you have to be lucky, because clouds and poor visibility often block the view of the mountain. If visibility is good, you have the best view about 40 to 45 minutes after leaving Tokyo (by hikari or nozomi train) around Shin-Fuji Station. Mount Fuji will be on the right hand side of the train.

Other good places to view Mount Fuji include Hakone and Fujigoko (Fuji Five Lakes). Both resorts can be reached from central Tokyo in about two hours by train or bus.

Mount Fuji is officially open for climbing during July and August via several routes. Climbers usually ascend the mountain on the first day, stay overnight at one of several huts near the crater, and descend on the following day.

Seasons for Mountain Climbing
July 1st to August 31th,The weather is stable,and there is no snow at the mountaintop. Many mountain huts are open,so most Japanese climb in this season. However,depending on the year,the mountain trail may be partly closed in early July,because of snow near the summit.

Late July to mid August : The weather is especially stable,so a crowd of climbers appear every year. However,there may be a regulation on cars in mid August.Restrictions may be seen in some roads. In that case,use a near by parking area and take a shuttle bus.

Late August:The weather becomes unstable.Before June and after September:There may be snow at the mountaintop.The weather is too unstable for climbing,and the mountain huts are mostly closed. Equipments for winter climbing is necessary.Also,a planned script for climbing must be submitted. June is rainy season,and in September,taifoon may arrive.

History of Mt.Fuji
Tens of millions of years ago,when the archipelago of Japan was separated from the continent, FossaMagna was formed.After that,Mikasa Sanchi was formed.Hundreds of thousands of years ago,
Komitake is formed by volcanic eruption.Tens of thousands of years ago,Kofuji volcano repeated eruption,coverring Komitake volcano.Ten and few thousands of years ago,Shinfuji volcano was active for along time,untill the recent form Mt.Fuji appeared.Since recorded histry,ten and few times of eruption was repeated to create form of Mt.fuji now.Most recent record of eruption is that of HoeiZan in 1707.

Japan Travel