Fuji where. Where is Mount Fuji located? Map idea for tourists

Address: Japan, o. Honshu
Height: 3776 m
Coordinates: 35°21"42.6"N 138°43"44.9"E

Content:

Short description

Mount Fuji, which is located on the island of Honshu, has been quite often depicted in numerous paintings since ancient times due to its unique, almost perfect conical shape.

Fuji is considered not only a place visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, but also a sacred place for Buddhists and people who practice Shintoism. The height of the largest mountain in the entire Land of the Rising Sun, which is also an active volcano, is almost 3,800 meters (3,776 m). However, modern geologists and volcano researchers say that there is no need to fear an eruption of Fuji in the near future. The volcano, in the depths of which, according to ancient beliefs, the souls of the dead live, has been sleeping since 1708.

The surroundings of Fuji, which, thanks to the efforts of local authorities, have been preserved in almost their original form, quite often attract the attention of numerous contemporary artists and professional photographers. By the way, at the very top of Mount Fuji there are still structures that were built by human hands: this is a meteorological station, which monitors weather changes and the volcano, a post office and even a jinja. For those who are not familiar with this definition, let us clarify that jinda is a Sinoist temple. Jinja in Japan were erected only in those places in which some miracles occurred or which were distinguished by extraordinary beauty. It is not at all surprising that the Japanese shrine was built on Mount Fuji, which, according to experts, is considered the most beautiful and extraordinary place in Japan.

By and large, Fuji can be safely included in the list of the most beautiful sights of the Land of the Rising Sun. However, to be extremely precise, Fuji can also be considered one of the most beautiful volcanoes on our planet. It is for this reason that the Japanese authorities included Fuji, the surrounding area and the “Five Legendary Lakes of Fuji” into the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. This park was founded back in 1936, and its area is about 1,230 square kilometers. Naturally, the most famous mountain in Japan, which is often mentioned in Japanese culture and history, attracts the attention of travelers from all over the world.

It is also interesting that the Fuji stratovolcano is part of a mountain range called... Japanese Alps. “What can Fuji have in common with the Alpine mountains, the range of which lies in the Old World?” – almost every tourist may ask. Indeed, the fact that Fuji is part of the Japanese Alps mountain range is little known. Three mountain ranges in the Land of the Rising Sun were named Alps not by the Japanese, but by an Englishman named William Gowland. It was this native of the Old World who wrote the “Guide to Japan” for tourists, which gained popularity thanks to Walter Westen, who at one time was a missionary and brought faith in Jesus Christ to the inhabitants of the country located on the islands.

If we assume that Fuji is part of the Japanese Alps, then we should definitely clarify that this is the highest mountain range. Although, in fairness, it is worth noting that the definition of “Japanese Alps” is rarely mentioned by geologists and historians in their works, especially if they are talking about the majestic, mysterious and beautiful Fuji.

Mount Fuji in Japan - origin of the name

If you delve into such a difficult question as the origin of the name Mount Fuji, you can simply get confused in the numerous versions put forward by historians and linguists. If you decipher the Chinese character (and there are quite a few of them in Japanese writing) for Fuji, then you can assume that the name of the volcano means immeasurable wealth. In addition, the second hieroglyph suggests that Fujiyama is also a noble person. It is unclear which of these definitions to believe. There is a proverb that is known to almost every Russian-speaking traveler; it goes like this: “the further you go into the forest, the more wood you will break (collect).” It is perfectly suited for Mount Fuji; the deeper the researcher studies the question of the origin of the name of the mountain, the more mysteries become before him. In the 10th century, in one of the many stories, you can find a mention that the name of Mount Fuji means “immortality” or ... “a soldier slowly climbing the mountain.” What follows is even more interesting: until the 10th century, Fuji was designated with hieroglyphs meaning "immortality", "eternity", "incomparability".

Europeans also tried to figure out the origin of the name of the highest mountain in the Land of the Rising Sun: John Batchelor, who, in addition to missionary work, also studied the Ainu language, suggested that Fuji means “fire.” It seems that everything is extremely simple, and most importantly, such a name would fully correspond to the volcano, which at one time threw hot lava into the air. But then a Japanese linguist intervened in the dispute, who pointed out to Batchelor that the hieroglyph, which he mistook for fire, meant “an old woman commanding or fanning the fire.” There was even an assumption that the conical stratovolcano received its name as a result of a change in the hieroglyph “ho”. If you try to explain clearly what this short word means, you will get something like this: a slender mountain that stands like a spike of rice! It’s probably worth dwelling on the origin of the name Fuji: there are several dozen more versions and each of them has not been recognized as official until now. Simply put, these days what the name Fuji means is not completely clear. But what about the end, even the beginning is different for all versions.

Mount Fuji - building

As mentioned above, Mount Fuji in Japan is an active but dormant volcano. The diameter of the crater of this beautiful mountain, the name of which is often found in Japanese poetry, is just over half a kilometer. Its depth, according to the results of recent research by scientists, only slightly exceeds 200 meters. Despite the fact that Fuji in Japan has been sleeping since 1708, previously the area surrounding the mountain was constantly flooded with streams of hot lava. The thing is that Fuji is not one volcano (if we speak in the literal sense): the conical mountain was formed as a result of powerful eruptions of four volcanoes earlier than Fuji. Moreover, modern experts have been able to prove that the eruptions here lasted for millennia. It was the huge amount of lava that formed the modern conical appearance of Fuji.

The first volcano, which scientists call “old Fuji,” formed more than 80,000 years ago, and modern (new) Fuji is relatively “young”, it began to grow “only” 11,000 years ago. Approximately 20,000 years ago, Fuji went on a rampage in earnest: constant explosions and eruptions of lava lasted for millennia! While lava flowed along the slopes of the “old Fuji” volcano and blocked numerous streams and mountain rivers, the most beautiful and world-famous “Five Lakes of Fuji” appeared. By the way, the “Five Lakes of Fuji” are a magnificent sight and deserve to be written about in a separate article: it is not without reason that all of them taken together are considered one of the best and most popular resorts in all of Japan.

On Mount Fuji and at its foot you can find a huge number of hot springs, thanks to which small warm reservoirs are formed. However, Fuji’s climate can safely be called harsh: in the hottest month, the air temperature near the mountain only warms up to +18 degrees Celsius, but in winter at the top of the stratovolcano it often drops to -38.

Fuji - close connection with Japanese culture

As has already been mentioned several times in the material, Fuji was glorified by Japanese poets in their works and depicted on canvas by famous artists. True, the Japanese have always had a penchant for exaggeration. For example, on the Edo panel, Fuji is depicted “bound by eternal snows.” If you look at the engraving of the no less famous artist Ogata Gekko, you can see snow-covered Fuji, to the top of which a formidable dragon is climbing. Historian Alexander Meshcheryakov, who devoted most of his life to the study of Japanese culture, argues that in all works, be it poems, paintings or legends, the image of Fuji is far from its true appearance.

There is nothing surprising in such a touching attitude towards the main “calling card” of the Land of the Rising Sun. According to ancient myth, it was almost impossible to conquer Fuji, only a real hero could climb to its peak. Such a daredevil, having overcome all difficulties, received the main gift - immortality. Smoke is often visible from the mouth of the volcano: even modern Japanese, who invent ultra-modern technologies, but raised from childhood on ancient legends and poetry, firmly believe that this smoke comes from a fire that burns from the magical elixir of immortality.

It is surprising that the first written mentions and drawings of Fuji are attributed by historians to the 8th century. According to research, in those days the volcano still often exploded and threw columns of ash into the air. Surprisingly, not a single chronicle or engraving describes the magnificent Fuji volcano or depicts it erupting! Why the Japanese did not want to talk about Fuji's anger is still a mystery. Probably the point is that this mountain is sacred to every inhabitant of the Land of the Rising Sun, and people try to forget its eruptions as soon as possible.

The Fuji stratovolcano, as everyone has already understood, is considered a sacred place for every Buddhist and person professing the Sino cult. For this reason, the name “calling card of Japan” has been used by many major companies, for example, Fuji. By the way, this is not the only company whose name is based on the name of the mountain. Sociologists who have studied most of the Japanese companies have come to a stunning conclusion: if you look at the Japanese telephone directory, which lists all its companies and enterprises, then the number of names with the Fuji prefix will take up more than eight of its pages! Numerous scientists and Buddhists who familiarized themselves with the results of the sociological study were extremely outraged by this state of affairs. Many experts considered it unworthy to use the holiness of Fuji in the name of their company. Another part of the scientists proposed levying a special tax on these enterprises and firms. The funds received for the use of the name Fuji were supposed to be used to maintain and develop Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Mount Fuji in Japan is a dream for climbers and travelers

Everyone who is interested in mountaineering dreams of climbing a mountain sacred to the Japanese. Almost all routes along which you can climb to the top of Fuji are open only in the summer (from early July to late August). However, even in July, part of the mountain is still covered with snow; climbing Mount Fuji is strictly prohibited in these places. Despite its relatively small height (when compared with Everest), Fuji is not conquered by everyone. It is not without reason that ancient legends say that only a true hero can reach its peak. For this reason, with the beginning of the tourist season, a huge number of centers open in Fuji, where rescuers work and so-called yamagoya - places where you can buy food and drinking water. It is interesting that “yamagoya” can be literally translated into Russian; this word means “hut”.

Only four routes are officially recognized by which you can climb the mountain. True, some careless tourists use the services of guides who want to earn extra money and go through difficult and dangerous areas. The prefectural authorities appeal to such climbers with a request not to make a mistake that could cost them their lives. By the way, these dangerous routes are used by the Japanese themselves, however, they travel on fortified and powerful bulldozers, on which food is delivered, and, if necessary, wounded travelers are evacuated from Fuji.

Until 2005, glider pilots could often be seen from the mountain, soaring over the National Park. After a number of deaths due to strong wind gusts on Mount Fuji, gliding has become less popular, although not officially banned. Sometimes you can see several gliders that launch from the slopes of Fuji (naturally, not from its crater). As mentioned above, Fuji, the surrounding area and the “Five Lakes of Fuji” are part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Therefore, a tourist who is brought to the legendary Fuji is required to follow all the rules, which are set out in detail in different languages in special booklets. It should also be remembered that disturbing the peace of the monks of Sinoist temples is strictly prohibited. They themselves will invite a tourist to visit at a certain time and introduce him to their faith, history, culture and traditions.

However, you should always remember the most important rule: “No trash!” For throwing packages and bottles, a tourist may be fined and prohibited from even approaching the territory of the National Park in the future. By the way, during the ascent to Fuji, everyone is given a special bag: not even so that they can put their trash there, but also so that along the way they can put there a found bottle, a piece of paper or a bag. Fortunately, there is practically no garbage on Fuji, and tourists reach the top with almost empty bags.

During the ascent to the top of Fuji, where the elixir of immortality burns, it is forbidden to even relieve oneself in places unsuitable for this. You shouldn’t be afraid of this rule: on every route you can find a huge number of clean dry closets, in which the seat is even heated (needless to say... Japan). All of these toilets are electronically controlled and their batteries are charged by sunlight. By the way, if anyone doesn’t know, dry toilets are widespread throughout Japan. They can be found on every corner in a major metropolis, and they are all free, almost all…. Everything except the toilets in Fuji. Their visit will cost the traveler 100 yen. Probably, the enterprising Japanese made them paid only because a tourist has nowhere to go on the mountain except to break the rule, and in the Land of the Rising Sun most of the population simply does not understand how one can break a certain restriction. At the end of the material, I would like to say that according to “dry” statistics, Fuji is visited annually by just over 200,000 people. However, this figure only includes those tourists who climb the sacred mountain: the 200,000 visitors to the Fuji Five Lakes resort are not counted.

Address: Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture 418-0112, Japan
Mountain system: Japanese Alps
Volcano Shape: Stratovolcano
Crater diameter: about 500 m
Crater depth: about 200 m
Last eruption: 1708
Top height: 3776 m

Fuji is a symbol. The highest mountain in the country symbolizes the embodiment of the connection between ancient and modern principles of life. Fuji has perfect symmetry, which is why the Japanese consider it the standard of beauty. Artists and poets come here to get inspiration, and tourists come here to admire the beauty of the legendary mountain.

Brief description of Mount Fuji in Japan

The height of Mount Fuji in Japan is 3776 m. The peak is often hidden in the clouds, so those who were able to see Fuji in full contemplate incredible beauty. The outline of the crater resembles a lotus flower. Large ridges protrude from the petals; local residents nicknamed them Yaxudo-Fuyo. The age of the mountain is about 10,000 years, which classifies it as a stratovolcano.

Many people are interested in the question: Is Fuji active or extinct? Today it does not pose a seismic threat, but it is classified as weakly active, that is, dormant. Despite this, the mountain serves as an object of tourism and religious pilgrimage, visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year. But at the same time, every resident knows the fact that after the last eruption of Fuji, in 1707, the city was covered with a fifteen-centimeter layer of ash. Therefore, the volcano is under close attention of scientists.

How is "Fujiyama" translated?

Surprisingly, the mystery of the name of the world-famous mountain has not yet been fully revealed. According to modern Japanese characters, "fuji" means "abundance" and "wealth." But it is unlikely that such an interpretation took place 10 thousand years ago. A chronicle dating back to the 10th century indicates that the name of the mountain means “immortality,” which, according to many scientists, is closer to the truth.

Tourism in Fuji

The island with Fuji - Honshu - is the largest in the Japanese archipelago, so there are always many guests from other countries. And the volcano itself is known as a tourist attraction far beyond its homeland. In addition, the mountain is very often visited by Buddhists and Shintoists, since on the western slope there is a Great Failure, around which there are many religious buildings. A wide path stretches towards them from the very foot, along which tens of thousands of pilgrims pass every year.

The most convenient and safest period for climbing Mount Fuji is the months of July and August, because the rest of the time the mountain is covered with snow and mass tourism is inaccessible. Throughout the tourist season, rescue services operate on Fuji, and mountain houses called yamagoya are also open. In them you can relax on comfortable sleeping shelves, have a snack, buy food and drinks.

The ascent to Mount Fuji can take one of four main routes: Kawaguchiko, Subashiri, Gotemba and Fujinomiya. These routes are of medium difficulty, as they start from the fifth level of the mountain. There are also four routes that start at the very foot - Murayama, Yoshida, Suyama and Shojiko. They last longer than the previous ones and are designed for more prepared tourists.

Climbing the volcano doesn't have to be long. There is a toll highway on the northern slope of the mountain. Buses run along it. They bring tourists to a large parking lot where there are many restaurants and cafes, as well as a yamogoya. And from there you can climb to the top of Fuji, which can take from three to eight hours depending on the chosen route.

Flying over Fuji

Paragliding from the top of Mount Fuji is an activity that not everyone can do. Firstly, weather conditions are not always conducive to safe flight. Often athletes and tourists are returned downstairs when they have already put on their suits and gone through the instructions. This occurs due to sudden gusts of wind that can appear suddenly. Secondly, in order to fly over a volcano, you need to wake up at night and arrive at the site early in the morning. But the spectacle that can be seen during the flight is worth all the difficulties. Flying over the forest at the foot of Mount Fuji, you will be able to appreciate the beauty of not only the mountain itself, but also its surroundings -. And all this is from a bird's eye view.

Why is Fuji a sacred mountain?

The fact that the Japanese Mount Fuji is considered a shrine is no secret to anyone, but what gives it its holiness is not clear to every European. The volcano has canonically ideal shapes, and is often covered by a third of clouds. This has long been given a sacred meaning. The effect is enhanced by the trail at an altitude of 2500 m, bordering the mountain. Pilgrims are sure that it points to the path to another world.

According to the ancient legend of Fuji, the crater is considered the forge of the fire god Ainu. Of course, distant ancestors may not have known what a volcano is, and they could not have explained the seething of lava followed by an eruption in any other way. One way or another, for thousands of years people professing Buddhism and Shintoism have considered Fuji to be the main shrine.

Interesting facts about Mount Fuji

And, of course, such an important attraction could not fail to attract interest to every inquisitive person:

Mount Fuji is a private property. Its owner is the Shinto Great Shrine Hongu Sengen. He received the volcano by deed of gift in 1609, and in 1974 the Supreme Court of Japan confirmed the authenticity of the document.
Until the end of the 19th century, only men were allowed to climb Mount Fuji. During the Mende reign, which lasted from 1868 to 1912, women were allowed to fully visit the mountain. Today, the majority of pilgrims are women.
Many Japanese companies include the name of the mountain in their name, so don't be surprised if you see signs with the word "fuji" everywhere.
There are paid toilets on the hiking trails leading to the top of Mount Fuji. This is very unusual for Japan, because throughout the country they are completely free.

Where is Mount Fuji located?

The mountain is located just 90 km from Tokyo, on the island of Honshu and is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Geographic coordinates of Mount Fuji on the map are 35°21′45″ N. w. 138°43′50″ E. e. Cities and Miyamae-Ku, next to which the volcano is located, can serve as landmarks for the search. Mount Fuji is the most popular in Japan, and its photos adorn all guidebooks, so finding it is quite easy.

How to get from Tokyo to Fuji?

One way to get there is by expressway, which takes 1.5-2 hours by car.

You can also take express buses that depart from Shinjuki Bus Station every hour. The first one departs at 6:40 a.m. and the last one at 7:30 p.m. Ticket price is $23.50. The journey will take about 2.5 hours.

Don't forget about travel agencies that offer trips to Fuji from Tokyo. You can be picked up at your hotel or picked up at another convenient location; the cost of the excursion starts from $42.

Tokyo, the modern capital of Japan, has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in its history. It was completely restored after a strong earthquake in the 23rd year of the last century, then the American bombing of World War II, after which it, like a phoenix, was reborn from the ashes.

The city can be divided into two parts, one is business, dynamic areas with a huge number of skyscrapers that practically crash into the sky. But the second part of Tokyo is full of living traditions, ancient temples and palaces, as well as famous Japanese gardens and parks. It is this part, which is located in the very heart of the city, that tourists love most. This is a very lively and vibrant city, here you will always find exactly those sights of Tokyo that you want to see and explore, and there are also numerous Tokyo hotels located here.

Sacred Mount Fuji

The highest mountain in Japan is the only natural attraction that everyone, without exception, strives to see and visit. The mountain has a symmetrical cone of volcanic origin. Fuji-san last erupted in 1707, during which a layer of ash covered the streets of Tokyo.

In clear, cloudless weather you can see it without leaving the city, although most of the year the mountain is covered with clouds. The most picturesque view appears in winter or early spring, when the bright white snow cap gives Fuji a special charm.

Officially, climbing the mountain is done in the summer season from July to August. Of course, if you want, you can go at any time of the year, but it is worth remembering that this is only for experienced tourists. Such walks must be approached with all responsibility, taking into account weather conditions and their variability, as well as whether you have a fear of heights or diseases for which changes in pressure and temperature are not recommended.

The surface of the silver lakes

Particularly popular among tourists are the five lakes of Mount Fuji, which surround it on the northern side. Here, everyone can engage in water sports, spend time in various amusement parks, visit ice caves, and also quietly enjoy the magnificent, mesmerizing views of the mountain itself.

One of the fastest and most convenient ways to get to the mountain is to take a regular bus to Tokyo, departing from the Shinjuki area, where there is an excellent network of buses that serve the territory of one of Japan's greatest attractions.

While exploring the city's sacred sites, it is worth visiting the Konryuzan Senso-ji Temple, which hosts one of Tokyo's most famous festivals, the Racquet Fair, at the end of spring.

The mountain is often incorrectly called "Fujiyama". This comes from a misreading of the last character - 山 "mountain" - in its name. Standing alone, it reads yama (kun reading), but in the name of the mountain it reads san (on reading).

Fuji and its surrounding area are part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Geological structure

The Japanese islands are a microcontinent (some researchers view the archipelago as an island arc, but Japan differs from them in its increased thickness and crustal area), above a subduction zone that is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. This subduction zone absorbs the oceanic crust of the Philippine and Pacific plates. Mount Fuji is located at the point where the Eurasian, Philippine and Okhotsk plates meet.

Mount Fuji is located in an area of long-term volcanic activity, on top of several ancient volcanoes. There are four stages of volcanism that formed the mountain. First, andesitic lavas flowed here, from which the Sen-Komitake volcano was formed, then they were replaced by the basaltic Komitake volcano. About 100,000 years ago, the so-called “Old Fuji” was formed. The modern mountain is called “Young Fuji” and began its growth 10-8 thousand years ago. From 8 to 4.5 thousand years ago, volcanic explosions occurred here repeatedly, and then for a whole millennium there were abundant outpourings of lava. The modern stage of the volcano's history is characterized by basaltic magmas. More than a hundred side craters and crevices opened on the slopes of the volcano. Lava flows blocked rivers and streams, the headwaters of which were located north of the volcano, in the Misaka Mountains, and this is how the Five Lakes of Fuji arose (now a popular resort destination in Japan). The last, most powerful eruption in historical time, of Fuji occurred in 1707: a new crater (Noizan) appeared on the eastern slope, and the ejected ash covered the streets of the city of Edo (present-day Tokyo). The name Neuizan is also used for a local peak on the edge of the new small crater.

Despite its complex history, the volcano has evolved into a conical mountain with similar outlines on all sides; Noizan breaks the symmetry slightly. Fuji is a typical stratovolcano.

Curious facts about Fuji

The common idea of Mount Fuji as a peak with a snow cap, two months a year - from July to September, is not true. Unlike, for example, Mount Kilimanjaro, the snow on the top of Fuji completely melts in the indicated two months, and the mountain loses the postcard whiteness of its top during this time.

The classic contours of Mount Fuji first became famous around the world thanks to Japanese ukiyo-e prints from the Edo era. The collections of engravings “Thirty-six Views of Fuji” by Hokusai, the collection of the same name by Hiroshige, and “One Hundred Views of Fuji” by Hokusai are widely known.

Fuji is still an active Shinto shrine and on its slopes there are religious buildings of the Japanese traditional religion of Shinto.

Climbing Fuji

Mount Fuji is a popular tourist destination in Japan and abroad. From July 1 to August 27, there are rescue centers and numerous yamagoya (山小屋?, mountain hut) on the mountain, where you can buy food and drinks, as well as relax on sleeping shelves. Therefore, this period is considered the safest and most convenient for climbing. The rest of the time, the top of Fuji is covered with a thick layer of snow. Also, at the beginning of the season, some routes where there is still snow may be closed.

The mountain is divided into 10 levels, gome (Japanese: 合目?). From the 5th level, gogome, there are 4 routes to the top: Kawaguchiko, Subashiri, Gotemba and Fujinomiya. There are also routes from the foot of the mountain: Shojiko, Yoshida, Suyama and Murayama.

From Lake Kawaguchiko to the 5th level, gogome, on the northern side (2300 m) there is a Subaru Line toll highway along which regular buses run. There is a large parking lot and many restaurants. Also along the route from gogome on the Kawaguchiko side there is the largest number of yamagoya. Most tourist tours go through it. The ascent from gogome to the top along any of the routes can take from three to eight hours (not counting the rest in yamagoya), the descent - from two to five hours.

In addition to the regular routes, there are parallel routes for bulldozers. Bulldozers deliver various goods and materials to Yamagoi and shops on the mountain top, and also evacuate people who need immediate medical attention. Using these routes is extremely dangerous, since they are not reinforced and are completely unprotected from stones that can roll down from above. Despite this, cyclists have been spotted descending these routes on several occasions. However, this can be dangerous both for the cyclist, due to the high steepness and speed, and for people climbing along the nearby walking routes, because of the stones that can bounce off from under the wheels.

Approximately 200,000 people visit Fuji each year, 30% of whom are foreigners.

Ecology

Mount Fuji is a national park, so throwing away garbage is strictly prohibited, as is constantly reminded by signs placed all the way to the top. At the beginning of the climb, everyone is given a free trash bag. During the climb, when buying a bottle of water, shops allow you to throw away one empty bottle.

Toilets have also been built for travelers. These are perhaps the only toilets in Japan that charge a fee of 100 yen. These toilets operate using a dry toilet system, some even have heated seats. A number of toilets operate automatically and are powered by solar panels.

Paragliding on Fuji

Flights from the summit are possible, but not popular due to strong winds; a suitable break sometimes occurs early in the morning. Flights in the area over the Gotemba and Subashiri car parks are frequent, although sometimes hampered by strong winds and clouds. Many schools use the gentle slope between Gotemba and Subashiri for training.

Just as there are many landscape photographers who photograph the nature of different countries, there are also many photographers who only photograph Mount Fuji. And each of them is trying to move away from clichés and cliches, trying to make their works less similar to other people’s photographs. And although it seems that it is impossible to photograph a mountain in a new way, these photographers still manage to add individuality to their photographs - and we invite you to see how they do it.

Fuji is an active stratovolcano on the Japanese island of Honshu, 90 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. The height of the volcano is 3776 m (the highest in Japan). Currently, the volcano is considered weakly active, the last eruption was in 1707-1708.

The mountain has an almost perfect conical outline and is considered sacred, serves as an object of tourism, as well as religious pilgrimage of the Buddhist and Shinto cults. Fuji has been a popular theme in Japanese art for centuries.

Today, the summit of Mount Fuji is home to a Shinto shrine, a post office and a weather station. The surrounding area of the mountain is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The classic image of the sacred Mount Fuji is a smoking volcano with a sharp peak, forever covered with ice. The Japanese considered it the mountain of Taoist immortals; the rising smoke supposedly came from the elixir of immortality lit in the crater. Anyone who conquers the peak will gain this immortality.

According to historian and Japanese scholar Alexander Meshcheryakov, this image of Fuji, glorified in literature and fine arts, is very different from the real one.
“When the Edo period artist gave life to his panel by painting “True View of Mount Fuji,” he did not mean that his painting should closely resemble the real mountain. Rather, it was a “true view” depicting its beautiful form so that people could see what Mount Fuji should be like.”

Mount Fuji is a popular tourist destination in Japan and abroad. From July 1 to August 27, there are rescue centers and numerous yamagoya (mountain huts) on the mountain, where you can buy food and drinks, as well as relax on sleeping shelves. Therefore, this period is considered the safest and most convenient for climbing. The rest of the time, the top of Fuji is covered with a thick layer of snow. Also, at the beginning of the season, some routes where there is still snow may be closed.

Mount Fuji is a national park, so throwing away garbage is strictly prohibited, as constantly reminded by signs placed all the way to the top. At the beginning of the climb, everyone is given a free bag for any trash they see. During the climb, when buying a bottle of water, shops allow you to throw away one empty bottle.