Mount Fuji

Rising 3,776 meters high, Mt Fuji the sacred volcanic mountain is surrounded by five lakes. Mt Fuji can be viewed from various stunning perspectives and with the fame and beauty it is no wonder that climbers, pilgrims, poets and artists flock to Mt Fuji from all over the world. The five lakes are:

Lake Motosu - Is depicted on the ¥5000 yen note.

Lake Shojin - The smallest of the lakes and a good fishing spot.

Lake Sai - This is the least spoiled of the five lakes.

Lake Kawaguchi - The most accessible and commercialized lake.

Lake Yamanaka - Is popular for waterskiing and swimming.

Mt Fuji has been dormant since 1707. It first erupted 8-10,000 years ago.

Until 100 years ago Mount Fuji was considered so sacred that only priests and pilgrims were allowed to climb its slopes. It was around 1872 that women were allowed to climb it.

Mount Fuji is snow-capped for about 5 months a year.

The official website for Mt Fuji Climbing gives specific details on how to climb. The climbing season is from early July to early September. In other periods and during the snow season, climbing Mt Fuji is prohibited.

Mt Fuji is commonly known as Fuji San.