Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is like a giant sleeping giant that watches over Japan with its perfect cone shape and snow-capped peak! This majestic volcano stands 12,389 feet tall and is so perfectly symmetrical that it looks like it was drawn by an artist. On clear days, you can see Mount Fuji from over 100 miles away, and its beautiful silhouette has inspired countless paintings, poems, and stories throughout Japanese history. Climbing Mount Fuji is an adventure that over 300,000 people take on every year during the official climbing season from July to September. The journey to the summit takes most people 5-7 hours, and climbers often start in the middle of the night so they can watch the sunrise from the top - an experience called 'goraiko' that's considered one of the most beautiful sights in the world. The mountain has different 'stations' along the way where climbers can rest, buy snacks, and get their walking sticks stamped as souvenirs. Mount Fuji is not just a mountain - it's a sacred place that holds deep spiritual meaning for the Japanese people. For over 1,000 years, pilgrims have climbed the mountain as a form of spiritual journey, believing that reaching the summit brings good luck and purifies the soul. The mountain appears in countless works of art, including the famous woodblock prints by Hokusai that show Mount Fuji in different seasons and weather conditions, proving that this magnificent volcano continues to inspire people around the world.