Famous Mountain Fuji is a memorably wonderful and popular destination for both the Japanese and also international tourists. Every year thousands of people make the pilgrimage to its summit. Around one third of those who annually climb this massive Lapanese mountain are tourists visiting Japan. Let’s look at some of the reasons why Mountain Fuji is so globally famous, culturally important to Japan, and such a popular tourist destination.
In Japanese, the famous mountain is referred to in an animistic way as “Fuji-san”, essentially meaning “honorable Fuji” just as any human’s name receives the “san” japanese suffix. The tallest Japanese mountain peak at a reported measurement of 3,776 meters (12,388 feet), famous mountain is truly a massive landmark easily visible from many areas of Japan. Most notably, a view of this famous Japanese mountain from Tokyo makes for a wonderful treat on a clear day. Winter is supposedly the best time of year to catch such a view because of the atmospheric conditions, while around sunrise or sunset are likely the best times of day.
What is it about this famous Japanese mountain that makes it worth going to any great length for a proper glimpse of Fuji? It is likely as iconic as it is beautiful, and in some ways likely so iconic as a result of its beauty. The cone at the peak of Fuji is surprisingly symmetrical for a volcano and such formations are relatively geologically rare, especially for such a large mountain like Fuji. The way the snow forms around this glorious natural Japanese masterpiece also has likely inspired much of its reverence in both animistic traditions and also in artistic renditions of its famouse amazing profile. Famous classical Japanese artists such as Hokusai have gone to great lengths to honor Mountain Fuji with popular masterpieces in their own right. Perhaps the most famous single piece of classical Japanese art is one particular depiction by Hokusai of a snow capped Mountain Fuji in the background of a highly stylized ocean scene in which giant white capped waves resembling famous Fuji itself carry boats of Japanese fishermen. This was the first in his series of 36 pieces of art depicting Fuji which was entitled, appropriately enough, “36 Views of Mountain Fuji”. The same artist also did a famous series called “100 Views of Mountain Fuji”, if that is any indication of just how enthralled he and his contemporaries were by the mountain’s iconic beauty.
The famous Japanese mountain also has its place in the Japanese spiritual traditions and the various sacred gates and shrines at its peak are a good indication of its importance. To some traditions Fuji is even considered to be an actual deity and is regarded and respected appropriately. Further evidence of this is, rather sadly, in the number of suicides performed at the base of Fuji in the forest area known as Aokigahara. It is listed as the second most popular suicide location in the world. According to reports, in the year of 2002 there was a high of 80 suicides at the base of the famous Mountain Fuji and an annual average of around 30 a year since the 1950’s.
On a lighter note, thousands of people ascend from the base of Fuji to its peak every year to enjoy the view from the top and, of course, to say they had done it. A famous Japanese saying goes: “A wise man climbs Fuji once, a fool climbs it twice.” If you want to go for a climb to the summit, it is likely easiest in the months of July and August. October through May climbing the famous Mountain Fuji is basically off limits due to conditions, unless you are an experienced mountaineer and are properly equipped with equipment for snow and ice. Have fun and enjoy beautiful Mountain Fuji.