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    Mount Fuji

    Japan

    Mount Fuji

    Point of InterestCulture

    At 3,776 meters, Mount Fuji is Japan's highest peak and, with its almost symmetrical cone shape, the country's most iconic image.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Japan
    7. Chubu
    9. Mount Fuji
    At 3,776 meters, Mount Fuji is Japan's highest peak and, with its almost symmetrical cone shape, the country's most iconic image. Since 2013, the volcano has been a UNESCO World Heritage site – recognized as a sacred place and a source of artistic inspiration.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Hoei Crater (first crater)

    1Hoei Crater (first crater)

    The Hōei Crater (Hōei-kakō) is a striking geological feature of Fuji, bearing witness to its last eruption in 1707. This eruption tore open the mountain's southeast flank. When you reach the crater, you'll find yourself in a moon-like landscape that distinctly differs from the rest of Fuji. The eruption created three craters, the first of which is the largest. From here, you'll be treated to expansive views over the surrounding region, and on clear days, all the way to the coast. Our Tip: The Hōei Crater is a popular hike from the 5th Station of the Fujinomiya Route or the Gotemba Trail, requiring good fitness and sturdy hiking boots. It's best to hike during the official climbing season in summer. Be mindful of the thin air at this altitude.
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    Kusushi Shrine

    2Kusushi Shrine

    The Kusushi Shrine stands on the northern rim of Fuji's crater, where the Yoshida and Subashiri routes reach the summit. Here, the deities Ōnamuchi and Sukunabikona are revered; the shrine belongs to Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha, whose main shrine (Okumiya) is located on the southern side of the crater at the summit. For many mountaineers, it is a place for a prayer of thanks after the ascent, and you can obtain a summit seal (Goshuin) here. The architecture is simple and adapted to the harsh weather at this altitude. Our Tip: Come shortly after sunrise, when the initial crowds have dispersed. The shrine is staffed only during the summer climbing season.
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    Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station Lounge

    3Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station Lounge

    The Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, located at approximately 2,300 meters, is the starting point for the Yoshida Route, Mount Fuji's most popular ascent, and is accessible by bus or car. Here you'll find restaurants, souvenir shops, a small shrine, and information centers for climbers.From here, you often get views of the sea of clouds and the landscape of the Five Fuji Lakes. The air is already noticeably cooler and thinner; those aiming for the summit should acclimatize here for a while before setting off. Our tip: Come early in the morning, before clouds form, and bring warm clothing even in summer. During climbing season, the toll road is temporarily closed to private cars; buses operate then.
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    Maboroshi no Taki (Phantom Waterfall)

    4Maboroshi no Taki (Phantom Waterfall)

    The Maboroshi no Taki ("Phantom Waterfall") is located at around 2,080 meters on the eastern flank of Fuji, near the 5th Station of the Subashiri Route. It only exists during the snowmelt season: Meltwater from the upper slopes then flows over exposed lava and plunges over the rock edge here. It usually appears for only a few weeks, typically from mid-May to mid-June, and primarily on warm days.From the parking lot of the Subashiri 5th Station, a marked path leads through forest and volcanic scree to the waterfall in approximately 25 minutes. Our tip: Come in the afternoon, as there's often little water flow in the early morning. The access road is closed in winter and restricted for private cars in peak summer.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Higashi-Fuji Sanso

    Restaurant in Japan.
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    Okuniwa-so

    Restaurant in Narusawa.
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    2

    Mori no Eki Fujisan Restaurant

    Restaurant in 2308 Suyama.
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    3

    Yeti (Restaurant)

    Restaurant in 2428 Suyama.
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    Gogōen Rest House

    Restaurant in Japan.
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    Eating & Drinking at Fuji

    Hōtō

    Yamanashi Prefecture's signature dish: wide, flat wheat noodles, cooked with pumpkin and vegetables in miso broth in an iron pot. Especially satisfying after a hike.

    Yoshida Udon

    The Udon from Fujiyoshida are unusually firm and hearty. Traditionally, they are served with white cabbage and a spicy seasoning paste called Suridane.

    Fujinomiya-Yakisoba

    The specialty of Fujinomiya city on the south side: fried noodles with a particularly firm texture, pork fat cracklings, and fish powder.

    Shingen-Mochi

    Small rice cakes from Yamanashi with roasted soybean flour (Kinako), over which you pour dark sugar syrup. A popular souvenir from the region.

    Sacred Mountain and Artistic Motif

    Shinto Pilgrimage MountainMount Fuji has been revered as a seat of gods for centuries. Principally worshipped here is Konohanasakuya-hime, to whom the many Sengen Shrines around the mountain are dedicated – chief among them the Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha in Fujinomiya and the Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja in Fujiyoshida. During the Edo period, pilgrims organized themselves into so-called Fuji-kō, brotherhoods that ascended to the summit together. The numbered stations along the climbing routes date back to this tradition.Goraikō – The Sunrise from the SummitMany climbers stay overnight in a hut halfway up and set off at night to witness the sunrise from the summit. This ritual is called Goraikō and retains an almost ceremonial character to this day.Fuji in ArtNo motif shapes Japanese art as profoundly as Fuji. Katsushika Hokusai's woodblock print series "36 Views of Mount Fuji," featuring the famous "Great Wave off Kanagawa," also brought the mountain renown in Europe in the 19th century.

    Arrival and Ascent Routes

    From Tokyo to Mount FujiBus: Direct express buses run from Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko, and during climbing season, up to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station.Train: Take the JR Chūō Line to Ōtsuki, then the Fujikyū Line to Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko; some direct trains run from Shinjuku.South Side: Reach the Fujinomiya Route by bus from Shin-Fuji Shinkansen Station or Fujinomiya Station.The Four Climbing RoutesYoshida Route (Yamanashi): the most popular, with many mountain huts.Fujinomiya Route (Shizuoka): the shortest route with the highest starting point.Subashiri Route: quieter, forested in its lower section.Gotemba Route: the longest route with the greatest elevation gain.Season and RulesThe official climbing season runs approximately from early July to early September. Outside this period, huts are closed, and climbing is strongly discouraged. A usage fee is now charged for the trails, sometimes with online registration and specific access times – check the current rules on the official websites of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures before your trip.

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