Mount Fuji: The Sacred Peak of Japan - Art, Spirituality & The Great Hoei Eruption
A deep dive into Mount Fuji (Fujisan), Japan's most famous landmark. Explore its spiritual roots in Shinto, its influence on art through Hokusai, the mysteries of Aokigahara, and the history of its massive eruptions.
Mount Fuji: The Immortal Symbol of Japan
Mount Fuji (Fujisan) is more than just a mountain; it is the spiritual and cultural soul of Japan. A near-perfect symmetrical stratovolcano, its snow-capped peak has been the subject of countless poems, paintings, and pilgrimages for over a thousand years. Standing at 3,776.24 meters (12,389 ft), it is the highest peak in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage site under the category of “Cultural Site”—a recognition of its status not just as a natural wonder, but as a source of artistic inspiration and religious worship.
Despite its serene appearance, Fuji is an active volcano with a history of violent eruptions that have shaped the Japanese landscape and psyche. It sits at a “triple junction” of tectonic plates—the Amurian, Okhotsk, and Philippine Sea plates—making it a geological hotspot.
1. The Divine Mountain: Spirituality and Shinto
In Japan, Mount Fuji is not merely a geographic feature; it is a Kami (deity). For centuries, the mountain has been central to the Shinto and Buddhist faiths, viewed as a gateway to another world.
Konohanasakuya-hime: The Goddess of the Peak
According to Shinto mythology, the goddess of Mount Fuji is Konohanasakuya-hime, the “Blossom-Princess.”
- The Legend: She is the daughter of the mountain god Oyamatsumi and is deeply associated with cherry blossoms (sakura). Legend tells that she proved her purity by giving birth in a burning hut, emerging unscathed with her three sons.
- The Protector: Because of her association with fire and rebirth, she is worshiped as the protector of the volcano, keeping its destructive fires in check.
- The Shrine: The Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha, located at the mountain’s base in Fujinomiya, is the head shrine for over 1,300 Sengen shrines across Japan dedicated to her.
Pilgrimage and Purification
The Fuji-kō cult, which reached its peak in the Edo period (1603-1868), viewed climbing the mountain as a sacred rite of passage.
- The Rebirth: Pilgrims would dress in white robes, symbolizing purity and death to their old selves. As they ascended, they chanted prayers (“Rokkon Shojo”) to purify their six senses. To them, the climb was a journey from the earthly realm (at the base) to the heavenly realm (at the summit).
- Goraiko: Today, while most climbers are tourists, many still treat the ascent with a sense of reverence. The ultimate goal is to witness the Goraiko—the spiritual arrival of the light as the sun rises over the Pacific Ocean, illuminating the sea of clouds below.
2. Art and Immortality: Hokusai’s Vision
Mount Fuji’s iconic silhouette has had a profound impact on global art. No artist captured this better than Katsushika Hokusai in the early 19th century.
Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji
Between 1830 and 1832, Hokusai published his landmark series of woodblock prints, Fugaku Sanjurokkei. The series was so successful that he eventually added 10 more prints (bringing the total to 46).
- The Great Wave off Kanagawa: Perhaps the most famous Japanese artwork in history. Here, the mountain appears small but steadfast beneath a towering, predatory wave, symbolizing stability amidst chaos.
- Fine Wind, Clear Morning (Red Fuji): This print shows the mountain glowing red in the light of the early autumn sun, capturing a rare meteorological phenomenon.
- Global Impact: These prints didn’t just document the mountain; they established it as a global icon of Japan. They heavily influenced Western Impressionist artists like Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet—a movement known as Japonisme.
3. The Sea of Trees: The Mystery of Aokigahara
On the northwestern flank of the mountain lies a dense, silent forest known as Aokigahara Jukai (The Sea of Trees). This forest grew on a massive field of hardened lava following the great Jogan Eruption of 864 CE, which lasted for 10 days and filled a massive ancient lake.
A Natural Silence
The lava floor of Aokigahara is porous and filled with countless caves and hollows. This sponge-like ground absorbs sound, creating an eerie, absolute silence that unnerves visitors.
- Magnetic Anomaly: Because the volcanic rock is rich in iron, magnetic compasses can behave erratically if placed directly on the ground. This scientific fact has fueled legends of people becoming hopelessly lost.
- Ice Caves: The forest contains geological wonders like the Narusawa Ice Cave and the Fugaku Wind Cave, where ice pillars stay frozen year-round even in the summer heat, historically used as natural refrigerators for silkworm cocoons.
Myth and Reality
In Japanese folklore, the forest is said to be haunted by Yurei (ghosts) of those who perished there. In modern times, it has gained a somber reputation due to its association with suicide. Despite this tragic aspect, the forest is a place of incredible natural beauty and biodiversity. Local efforts are ongoing to shift the public perception of Aokigahara back to its ecological roots as a resilient ecosystem born from fire.
4. The Great Hoei Eruption of 1707
Mount Fuji has been dormant for over 300 years, but its last eruption was a reminder of its hidden power. Known as the Hoei Eruption, it began on December 16, 1707, just 49 days after the massive Hoei Earthquake (magnitude 8.6).
The Rain of Ash
Unlike earlier eruptions that produced lava flows, the Hoei eruption was a massive explosive event (Plinian type).
- Volume: It spewed an estimated 800 million cubic meters of volcanic ash into the atmosphere.
- Darkness in Edo: The ash cloud reached Edo (modern-day Tokyo), located over 100 kilometers away. It plunged the capital into darkness in the middle of the day. For weeks, residents had to use lanterns at noon as “black snow” fell from the sky, accumulating several centimeters thick.
- The Scar: The eruption did not happen at the summit, but blasted a massive new crater on the mountain’s southeastern flank. This “Hoei Crater” is still a prominent disfigurement on the volcano’s silhouette today.
The Modern Threat
Since 1707, Mount Fuji has remained silent, but geologists categorize it as an “Active” volcano.
- Magma Chamber Pressure: Studies following the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake suggested that pressure in Fuji’s magma chamber increased, though no eruption occurred.
- Tokyo Scenario: If a similar eruption happened today, it would be catastrophic. Ashfall would paralyze Tokyo’s transport network (trains and planes cannot operate in ash), cause widespread power outages (wet ash causes short circuits), and disrupt the water supply for 30 million people.
- Liquefaction Risk? While Tokyo faces high risks of soil liquefaction during earthquakes due to its reclaimed land, Mount Fuji itself is solid rock and lava. The risk there is purely eruptive: pyroclastic flows, lava, and ash.
5. Climbing Regulations: The “Overtourism” Crisis (2024 Update)
Climbing Mount Fuji has traditionally been a “free-for-all,” leading to dangerous overcrowding and “Bullet Climbing” (ascending overnight without rest to see the sunrise). In 2024 and 2025, authorities implemented historic new rules to protect the mountain.
The “Bullet Climb” Ban
To prevent exhaustion and hypothermia, the Yoshida Trail (the most popular route) now has a gate at the 5th Station.
- Closed Hours: The gate is closed from 4:00 PM to 3:00 AM. No climbers are allowed to start their ascent during these hours unless they have a confirmed reservation at a mountain hut.
- Daily Cap: A limit of 4,000 climbers per day has been introduced. Once this number is reached, the gate closes, regardless of the time.
New Fees
- Mandatory Fee: A fee of ¥2,000 (approx. $13-14 USD) is now mandatory for the Yoshida Trail to cover conservation and safety costs.
- Shizuoka Routes: Starting in 2025, similar restrictions and fees (likely higher, around ¥3,000-5,000 depending on the proposal) are being rolled out for the Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya trails to prevent climbers from simply switching sides.
6. Biodiversity: Life on the Lava
Mount Fuji’s massive height creates distinct “vertical” ecological zones, each with its own climate.
1. The Montane Zone (Base to 1,500m)
The base is surrounded by broadleaf forests of oak, beech, and cherry. This area is rich in wildlife, including the Japanese Serow (a goat-antelope), Asian black bears, and over 100 species of birds. The Fuji Five Lakes act as critical habitats for migratory waterfowl.
2. The Sub-Alpine Zone (1,500m to 2,500m)
As you climb, the trees change to conifers like Veitch’s fir and Japanese larch. This is also where the famous “Krummholz” (twisted wood) begins—trees that are stunted and twisted by the harsh winds and heavy snowpack.
3. The Alpine Zone (2,500m+)
Above the timberline, the landscape turns into a stark, red-and-black desert of volcanic scoria. Only the hardiest plants can survive here.
- On-tade (Polygonum weyrichii): This plant is a “pioneer species.” Its deep roots stabilize the loose volcanic soil, allowing other plants to eventually take hold.
- Fuji Thistle: A spiky, purple-flowering plant that miraculously grows near the windy summit.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the climbing season?
The official climbing season is short: early July to early September. Outside of this window, the mountain is covered in snow, the huts are closed, and climbing is extremely dangerous and discouraged for anyone without winter mountaineering expertise.
Is the climb difficult?
It requires no technical skills (no ropes), but it is physically grueling.
- Altitude Sickness: The air at the summit has only about 63% of the oxygen found at sea level. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) affects many climbers.
- Terrain: The trail is a relentless slog up loose volcanic gravel (“scree”) that slides underfoot.
- Time: Most people take 5 to 7 hours to ascend and 3 to 4 hours to descend.
What are the “Fuji Five Lakes”?
These are five lakes—Kawaguchi, Yamanaka, Sai, Shoji, and Motosu—formed by ancient lava flows that dammed rivers. They offer the classic “postcard” views of the mountain. Lake Kawaguchi is the most accessible and famous for its “Upside-down Fuji” reflection.
Why is it called “Fuji”?
The etymology is lost to time.
- Ainu Theory: Some linguists suggest it comes from the Ainu word fuchi, meaning “fire” (referring to the fire goddess Kamuy Fuchi).
- Japanese Theory: Others suggest it comes from fushi (immortality) or fuji (peerless/without equal).
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 3,776.24 m (12,389 ft) |
| Crater Diameter | Approx. 500 m |
| Last Significant Eruption | 1707 (Hoei Eruption) |
| UNESCO Status | Cultural World Heritage (Since 2013) |
| Volcano Class | Active, Stratovolcano |
| Prevalence in Art | Over 1,000 recorded classical paintings |
| Climbing Visitors | ~200,000 - 300,000 per year |
Mount Fuji is a testament to the enduring power of nature and the human desire for the divine. It is a sentinel of time, standing silent while the world changes around it, forever etched into the heart of Japan.