Japan is the country home to Mount Fuji, the iconic volcano located west of Tokyo.
Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain, rising to 3,776 metres. It is a stratovolcano formed through repeated volcanic activity, and its remarkably symmetrical cone has made it a major subject in Japanese art, literature, and photography.
The mountain straddles Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures on Japan’s main island, Honshu. Its last confirmed eruption began in December 1707 and continued into early 1708; the event is known as the Hōei eruption.
Mount Fuji is also an important religious site. Pilgrims have climbed it for centuries, while modern visitors commonly use established trails during the official summer climbing season. Its cultural importance helped earn it recognition as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration.”