Highlights of climbing Mt. Fuji
Features of Mt. Fuji area
Nature of Mt. Fuji and its value as a national park
Mt. Fuji is part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. After large-scale volcanic activity about 5,000 years ago, Mt. Fuji formed in the shape of the well-proportioned, beautiful stratovolcano that we see today. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park also includes the Fuji Five Lakes (Lake Yamanakako, Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko and Lake Motosuko) as well as the lateral cones of Mt. Hoei and Mt. Omuro, and the surrounding areas that were created by the eruption. The surrounding areas offer distinctive natural features, including wind caves, ice caves, lava tree molds, Marubi landforms created by lava flows, vast natural mixed forests of Aokigahara Jukai consisting of red pine, Japanese cypress, southern Japanese hemlock and Mongolian oak, forests of northern Japanese hemlock and veitch fir in a subarctic coniferous forest zone, dwarf larch of forest limit, and the alpine plant zone around Ochudo trail.
History and culture of Mt. Fuji – its value as a World Cultural Heritage
The majestic form of Mt. Fuji has inspired people’s Mt. Fuji worship. Through the worship-ascents to the summit and pilgrimage to the sacred sites at the foot, people have touched the spiritual power of Shinto and Buddhism on Mt. Fuji as well as practicing the unique religious view of symbolic death and re-birth. Mt. Fuji has also inspired artists to produce many works of art such as ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock prints), which had a profound influence on the development of Western art. Mt. Fuji’s value as a sacred place and source of artistic inspiration has gained widespread recognition; in June 2013, Mt. Fuji was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Dangerous aspects of Mt. Fuji
Mt. Fuji is a high mountain with an altitude of nearly 3,800 meters (12500 ft.). Every summer, there are many people who casually attempt to climb Mt. Fuji in unsuitable clothes, which causes accidents. Mt. Fuji is by no means easy. Every year, many climbers get lost or have an accident. It is necessary to know the risks involved in climbing Mt. Fuji, such as changeable weather and altitude sickness.