JAPAN

MOUNTAIN FUJI

Over one million people hike to the top of Mount Fuji each year. Mount Fuji is located in the heart of Hakone National Park. The climbing season is from July to August, when the weather is the mildest and there is the least amount of snow on the mountain.

Japan’s highest mountain (3776 meters, 12,377’) is unquestionably the country’s most iconic natural landmark. Photographed in all seasons from all angles, its near perfect cone is climbed by one quarter million people yearly, usually during the months of July and August. Its high visibility and traffic is partially owed to its proximity to the Kanto, or the plain surrounding Tokyo. However the best time to view the mountain is in the winter months when visibility is best.

Since many people climb the mountain hiking trails and facilities are well established and there is a considerable amount of development on the mountain.

Popular hiking routes to the summit are Gotemba, Fujinomiya, and Kawaguchiko. All of the trails have ten stations each, which are situated strategically to offer refreshments, lodging, and facilities for the hikers and tourists alike.

Mt. Fuji is 62 miles (100 kilometers) from Tokyo and borders the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures in Japan. Yamanashi and Shizuoka are located in the Chūbu region on the island of Honshu. You can get to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo by riding a bullet train, taking a subway, or tour bus.

Named after the Buddhist fire goddess Fuchi, Mount Fuji is a holy mountain, and at its peak is a Shinto Shrine dedicated to the goddess Sengen-Sama.

Below is an astonishing view of the Fuji Five Lakes and the Shiraito Falls. Mount Fuji is surrounded by lush greenery and, in the spring, budding cherry blossoms.

 At the foot of Mt.Fuji is Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, the headquarters of 1300 Sengen Jinja Shrines in Japan, worshipped by the early climbers before climbing up. In May, "Yabusame Festival", the Japanese samurai performance with bows and arrows on the horse, is traditionally held in this shrine. You can also visit Shiraito Falls or explore nature of Asagiri Highland including Lake Tanuki where you can see “Diamond Fuji”, the precious moment when the sun rises on the top of Mt.Fuji.


Mt. Fuji has long been the center of mountain worship of ancient Japan. Today, it is a popular mountain to climb, and many people climb Mt. Fuji to watch the sunrise called Goraiko from the top. Access to the 5th station is well maintained, so you can go up to this point and thoroughly enjoy the magnificence of Mt. Fuji by just looking at the beautiful sight and its surrounding environment close at hand in all seasons without having to climb all the way to the top.



Fujiten Snow Resort

 

Fujiten Snow Resort is a small ski resort along the northern base of Mount Fuji in the Fuji Five Lakes region. Fujiten is the larger of two ski resorts on Mount Fuji and offers good facilities and views of the mountain. The other one is the Snow Town Yeti on the mountain's southern base.
Fujiten has a respectable selection of runs with something to suit every ability. Its two 1300 meter long main courses are suitable for beginners, while a 500 meter long family slope is reserved for beginning skiers.

 

 The resort also features steeper, advanced courses and a terrain park with several large jumps, rails and boxes that attract talented skiers and snowboarders. Snow canons provide the resort with man made snow when nature does not cooperate, which is not an uncommon occurrence.
Fujiten also has a large kids park where children can sled, innertube, jump on a trampoline, learn to ski or just play in the snow. Admission to the kids park costs 600 yen per person, but is free for holders of full-day lift passes. Some of the activities require rentals or separate fees to participate in.