Facts about Mount Fuji
Sacred Mountains | February 24, 2010Mountain Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan with an altitude of 3,776 metres. Located just west of the capital, 
Tokyo, Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s three Holy Mountains, the other two being Mount Tate and Mount Haku. A perfect symmetrical volcanic cone, Mt Fuji is a familiar symbol of Japan and is a top attraction for tourists, climbers as well as photographers and artists. Let’s have a look on the various exciting facts about Mt Fuji.
It is surrounded by the small cities of Gotemba to the south, Fujiyoshida to the north and Fujinomiya to the southwest as well as by five lakes. The mountain is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Given a clear weather, the mountain is visible from Yokohama, Tokyo, and sometimes even from Chiba, Saitama and Lake Hamana. The climate is very cold at the summit and is covered by snow for most part of the year.
Other facts about Mount Fuji:
These are some of the interesting facts about Mt Fuji
- The attractive volcanic cone of Mount Fuji is a popular subject of Japanese art. Hokusai’s 36 Views of Mount Fuji and One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji are some of the popular arts created on Mount Fuji.
- The mountain was believed to be sacred since ancient days and women were barred for women until the advent of the Meiji Era. The ancient samurai used the mountain base as a remote training area.
- Sir Rutherford Alcock was the first foreigner to have climbed the mountain in September 1860. He ascended Mt Fuji in eight hours.
- Lady Fanny Parkes, wife of former British ambassador Sir Harry Parkes, was the first non-Japanese woman to have scaled Mount Fuji in 1867.
- Populist educator Frederick Starr’s Chautauqua had made several ascents to Mount Fuji.
- There was a manned weather station atop Mount Fuji, which was closed down in 2004.
- In March 1966, Flight BOAC 911 had crashed near Mt Fuji killing all people on board.
- Thorough preparation is needed to mount Mt Fuji for one can encounter various kinds of physical difficulties.
- The volcano had last erupted in December 1707. Geologists predict that dormant volcanoes come alive after a span of 300 years. So climbers, keep watch. Mt Fuji is due for its next show!
Reaching Mt Fuji:
By air: 
Mt Fuji Shizuoka Airport is the nearest airport. Tokyo and Narita Airport in Chiba are also closely located.
By rail:
One can reach Fujiyoshida and Gotemba from Tokyo while visitors from western Japan can opt for Fujinomiya (Shin-Fuji).
By road:
The slopes of Mt. Fuji can be reached by Keio express bus that operates between Shinjuku in Tokyo.
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Mount Fuji is an attractive volcanic cone and a frequent subject of Japanese art. The mountain is mentioned in Japanese literature throughout the ages and is the subject of many poems.
It is thought that the first ascent was in 663 by an anonymous monk. The summit has been thought of as sacred since ancient times and was forbidden to women until the Meiji Era.