Japan is home to Mount Fuji, an active volcano and the country’s highest mountain.
Mount Fuji rises to 3,776 meters on Honshu, Japan’s largest island. Its symmetrical cone formed through repeated volcanic activity, and the present volcano is commonly called Shin-Fuji, or “New Fuji.” The mountain’s last confirmed eruption began in December 1707 and continued into early 1708.
Fuji has long been important in Japanese religion and art. Pilgrims climbed it, while artists including Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige made its shape internationally recognizable through prints. Its snow-capped profile remains a major symbol of Japan.
Mount Fuji is located near Tokyo and is visible from parts of the surrounding region on clear days. In 2013, UNESCO added the mountain and related cultural sites to the World Heritage List, emphasizing its religious and artistic significance as well as its landscape.