Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji stands on Honshu Island where the Amurian, Okhotsk, and Philippine Sea tectonic plates meet, forming the Fuji Volcanic Zone. Rising 3,776 meters, it is Japan's tallest mountain and last erupted in 1707 during the Hōei eruption, which blanketed Edo (Tokyo) with ash. The volcano features five overlapping cones built over hundreds of thousands of years and is surrounded by the Fuji Five Lakes, Aokigahara forest, and tea fields in Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures.

Fuji's symmetrical silhouette has inspired countless woodblock prints, including Katsushika Hokusai's "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji," and poetry describing the mountain as a gateway between the earthly and spiritual realms. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples encircle the base, and the mountain itself is considered sacred. During the summer climbing season (July to early September), hundreds of thousands of people ascend via four main routes—Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya—stopping at mountain huts for rest and acclimatization. Many climbers start at night to reach the summit for sunrise, known as goraiko.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park protects the volcano's alpine environment, lakes, waterfalls, and hot springs. Rangers manage erosion along the trails, restore vegetation, and encourage visitors to carry out trash. Volunteers participate in "Fuji clean" campaigns to remove litter and abandoned hiking poles after the climbing season. The UNESCO World Heritage listing recognizes 25 sites around the mountain, including shrines, lava tree molds, and pilgrimage routes, emphasizing the integration of nature and culture.

Scientists monitor the volcano's seismic activity, gas emissions, and ground deformation using GPS stations and fiber-optic cables. They have modeled potential ashfall scenarios to prepare Tokyo and surrounding regions for future eruptions. Disaster-preparedness drills involve local governments, railway companies, and emergency services to ensure warnings reach residents and tourists. Meanwhile, ecologists study how alpine plants adapt to extreme temperature swings, limited soil, and volcanic ash.

Tourism around Mount Fuji includes cycling tours, onsen (hot-spring) retreats, paragliding above the lakes, and visits to museums dedicated to art and natural history. Winter sports enthusiasts ski on nearby slopes, while photographers travel during cherry blossom season to capture Fuji reflected in Lake Kawaguchi. Educational programs invite students to learn about volcanic geology, atmospheric science, and traditional crafts like indigo dyeing practiced in surrounding towns.