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Fuji Mountain, which in Japanese is called Fujisan is a symbol and national emblem of Japan. 3,776 meters high, this is the biggest in Japan and a huge stratovolcano located about 100 kilometers from south-west of the country's capital Tokyo. The imposing volcanic cone on a clear day can be spotted from everywhere within its scope. Because of its iconic tapered form, usually covered in snow, it attracted photographers, artists, pilgrims, travellers and alpinists throughout history.
For many, the snow-capped symbol of a perfect Japanese mountain is often the first and most recognizable image. Indeed, the first image that comes to mind in association with Japan is usually the beautiful Mount Fuji. But, as with any globally significant landmark, the volcano represents much more than a dramatic, photo-perfect background – it’s an iconic representation of the deep interconnection between nature, spirituality, history, art, and culture in Japan. Its presence is visible not only in classic paintings and photographs but also in the history books, literature and the visual arts and also popular Japanese culture from the present day, including souvenir items.
Mount Fuji has been inactive since its last erupt in 1707–1708. Years of periods of peace means that local communities and traditions have developed over centuries, and the traveler today can experience the mountain from a multiplicity of vantage points: from the shores of a placid mountain lake to trekking through virgin forest; from the soothing waters of a mountain hot spring to sacred trails that wind up through the temples and shrines of a neighboring town. For any intending visitor a real climb of Mount Fuji is unnecessary at all – even just looking up at the great mountain at rest in the clear air of day, seeing how it lightens the sky above and surrounding scenery around it, will reveal enough of its enduring and romantic appeal for any Japanese person of the last millennium and of any visitor, too.
1.Mount Fuji - A Masterpiece of Nature.
In fact, the variety of landscape views of Fuji throughout the year is so great that some travellers visit Japan several times to capture different aspects of it.
In Winter In Winter it is easy to capture the very well known vision of Mount Fuji with snow dusting the upper slopes.
If the day is particularly clear, the sharpness of the mountain against the blue sky is most spectacular. The cold clean air also often means excellent visibility and Winter is a popular time for photographers to get that iconic snowy Mount Fuji shot. In Spring In Spring there is the wonderful juxtaposition of Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms. The vibrant pink and white of the flowers around lakes and towns complement the view of Fuji making for an iconic, popular and truly Japanese photographic opportunity.
Various other flowers bloom around Fuji this time of year making for a colorful landscape experience.
In Summer In Summer the low levels take on a vivid green and this is the main hiking and climbing season. In addition to being a place for recreation around lakes and forests you have access to Fuji's main climbing trails when circumstances permit. In Autumn Autumn brings yet another stunning array of colors.
Reds, oranges and golds bloom surround the base of Mount Fuji. The autumn colors make the areas around Fuji really pop and walking by any of the nearby lakes will often reveal and mirror like reflection of Fuji alongside a colorful trees lining the shore. In Japanese culture Mount Fuji has huge religious significance. He is revered by both the Shinto and Buddhist people. Historically the mountain has attracted people traveling there for religious journeys.
2. Mount Fuji: Spirituality, Nature and culture combined
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The great height of Mount Fuji inspires and the climb is seen not just as the ascension of a mountain but the ascension into purer beings and with gods or god.
The main centre associated with this is called Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha. To people outside of Japan, Mount Fuji is likely to be known for the artwork and it was particularly artistically enhanced and popularized by the art of Katsushika Hokusai with his Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. His work visually demonstrated the mountain’s change over different weather patterns and different seasons. He thus made Mt Fuji recognizable on the world stage.
3. Discover Fuji. It’s not a matter of scale.
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In 2013, Mount Fuji was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural site due to his work on the mountain and the spiritual significance.
However if your idea of taking on Fuji-san is not physical you can find equally breathtaking views of it. If you want a challenge climbing Mount Fuji will provide this. The climb can be incredibly demanding as higher trailheads still leave you with over 14 to 21 hours climbing up!
4.This is your guide to the adventure of Mount Fuji
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Visit the Five Lakes District known as Fuji Go-Ko. It is easy to get there with a short and simple train and orbus journey from Tokyo and gives spectacular views of the mountain, with its clearest view at Lake Kawaguchi. Visitors can enjoy local parks, art museums or relax in natural hot springs in one of the traditional onsen while staring across at the amazing mountain. It changes so dramatically depending on the time of day or day light that it is the photographers dream location.
Fuji as it is near to the capital Tokyo, which will surely integrate well into the bigger travel plan of Japan tour. However with careful planning, flexibilitiy in schedules with the weather’s uncertainties will truly enhance your travel to this majestic, spirit driven mountain. Whether you have chosen to hike up the highest peak in japan or to just admire the mountain view in Fuji Five Lakes, this trip has made me to know Mt Fuji on a entirely new level.
The summit, blanketed in white, has become a universally recognized symbol of Japan, but the meaning behind this majestic mountain can only be understood in relation to Japanese tradition.
Whether you climb to Mount Fuji's peak, see it greet the dawn, admire its presence over the sparkling waters of Lake Kawaguchi, visit ancient shrines devoted to it, or capture it adorned with the vibrant hues of spring's cherry blossom and autumn's fiery foliage - the experience is unforgettable.
Maybe this, too, is the enchantment of Fuji: it imposes no singular purpose upon its visitors.
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