Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is a beautiful volcano on the island of Honshu in Japan. Its top has a nearly perfect cone shape. It is the tallest mountain in Japan at 12,389 feet. Many people in Japan see Mount Fuji as a sacred and special place.

A Symbol of Japan

Mount Fuji has been shown in Japanese art and poems for hundreds of years. Artists paint it in all seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring or snow in winter. On clear days, people in Tokyo can see Fuji from far away. It is a symbol of beauty and strength.

Mount Fuji stands tall behind a calm blue lake.
Mount Fuji stands tall behind a calm blue lake. (Bob Tan / Wikimedia Commons)

Climbing Fuji

Mount Fuji is still an active volcano, but it has not erupted since 1707. Many people climb it in the summer when the snow has melted. The hike to the top can take six hours or more. Climbers often start at night so they can see the sunrise from the peak.

Fun Facts

  • Mount Fuji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • It has a crater at the top that is about 820 feet wide.
  • Over 300,000 people climb Mount Fuji every year.

Did You Know?

Watching the sunrise from the top of Mount Fuji is called 'Goraiko' in Japanese, which means 'arrival of light.'