Mount Fuji, Sacred volcano in Shizuoka and Yamanashi, Japan
Mount Fuji is a volcano in Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures in Japan, rising to 3,777 meters (12,388 feet) and forming a symmetrical cone. Snow rests on the summit between October and May, sharpening the profile and giving it the appearance most people recognize.
Early ascents trace back to religious travelers who reached the summit centuries ago, while the mountain opened to foreigners in the 19th century. The last eruption occurred in 1707, hurling ash across much of the region, including present-day Tokyo, roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) away.
Pilgrims climb to the summit and visit shrines scattered along the slopes, while many locals see the ascent as a spiritual journey. White-clad hikers are a familiar sight, and on some days believers gather to hold ceremonies or recite prayers.
The climbing season runs from July to early September, when four main trails lead to the summit and mountain huts along each route offer overnight stays. Warm clothing and sturdy footwear are necessary even in midsummer, as temperatures drop sharply near the top and weather can shift quickly.
The volcano sits at the meeting point of three tectonic plates: the Amurian, the Okhotsk, and the Philippine Sea Plate, a geological setup found in very few places around the world. Visitor centers along the routes display records of past eruptions and explain how lava flows shaped the terrain hikers cross today.
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