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The tallest volcano and highest mountain in Japan is Mount Fuji. It is a holy mountain in Japan and a representation of Japanese culture. The mountain also features a waterfall, springs, caverns, and a number of important religious sites. Mt. Fuji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as of 2013 CE.
See the fact file below for more information about Mount Fuji or download the comprehensive worksheet pack, which contains over 11 worksheets and can be used in the classroom or homeschooling environment.
Key Facts & Information
History & Geography
- Mount Fuji has been a holy spot for Shintoists since the 7th century, with the top being sacred to the goddess Sengen-Sama, and several shrines can be seen at the base and climb. Along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku, it is one of Japan’s three sacred mountains.
- According to Shugendo tales, Mount Fuji was first scaled in 663 CE. by Enno Gyoja, the wizard sage. The first ascent path to Mount Fuji was built in the fourteenth century by followers of Shugendo, a cult that venerated the mountain spirits.
- The spiritual importance of Mount Fuji and its resident spirits and deities are the subjects of numerous tales and stories. From 700 to 800 C.E, at the foot of the mountain, a shrine was erected to appease the fire deity responsible for the eruption of the volcano.
- The Shinto goddess Konohana Sakuya Hime, also known as “the Goddess of the Flowering Trees,” wed a jealous god in the eighth-century Kojiki, who got envious after she became pregnant immediately after their wedding. She went into a blazing bower to show her devotion to him and gave birth to a boy who was unharmed by the flames.
- Buddhists saw Fuji as an inspirational example of meditation and gave the mountain’s peak the Buddhist name “zenjo,” which refers to a perfect meditative state. Nearly 2,000 religious organizations, including one of the most prominent Buddhist sects in Japan, are centered on Mount Fuji, making it a significant place of worship.
- Women were not permitted to reach the summit until the Meiji era. Today, about half of those who climb Mount Fuji are female.
- Near the modern village of Gotemba, the foot of Mount Fuji was used by ancient samurai as a distant training location. Early in the Kamakura era, the shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo conducted yabusame nearby. The Japan Self-Defense Forces and the US Marine Corps maintain military installations close to Mount Fuji as of 2006.
- In terms of height and volume, Mount Fuji is the largest volcano in Japan. It is referred to as a “young volcano” since it is thought to have significantly increased in volume in the last 100,000 years.
- Mt. Fuji is not only the tallest peak in Japan but also the 35th tallest mountain on the entire planet.
- The mountain has five lakes and soars to a height of 3,776 meters. The volcano last erupted in 1708 CE, however, there were 17 more eruptions between that time and 781 CE, which are presently inactive.
- There were several instances of observable evidence of restarting volcanic activity, such as steam emerging from cracks in the slope. Mount Fuji’s magma chamber pressure has escalated to the point that an eruption appeared to be imminent following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
- As a well-known emblem of Japan, Mount Fuji is regularly seen in artwork and pictures. On June 22, 2013, it was included as a cultural site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Mount Fuji’s rising volcanic cone has been a popular subject in Japanese art. Hokusai’s 36 Views of Mount Fuji masterwork is the most well-known work. It has also been cited in Japanese literature over the years and has inspired several poems.
- Many people naturally think that such a famous peak, Mount Fuji, is owned by the state. However, from the 8th level and above, Mt. Fuji is the exclusive domain of Fujisan Hong Sengen Taisha, which controls over 1,300 temples throughout the island country.
Location
- Mt. Fuji, situated on Honshu island and spans the boundary between the prefectures of Shizuoka and Yamanashi, can be seen from Tokyo‘s towering skyscrapers.
- Mt. Fuji is made up of three different volcanoes. The Komitake volcano lies at the lowest layer, followed by the Kofuji volcano and the youngest volcano, Fuji.
- Mt. Fuji is just 100 kilometers from Tokyo. You may see Mount Fuji easily when traveling between Tokyo and Osaka by rail.
- The finest view of the mountain may be seen from near Shin-Fuji Station on the right side of the train if you’re traveling by shinkansen from Tokyo in the direction of Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka.
- Taking the Keio express bus from Shinjuku in Tokyo is the simplest way to get to Mt. Fuji’s slopes. The direct bus costs ¥2600 and travels in 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic, to the Kawaguchiko 5th Station, where the ascent begins.
The Sacred Mountain
- Mt. Fuji, which was revered by the Ainu people, who were the original occupants of ancient Japan, may have gotten its name from Fuchi, the deity of fire and the hearth.
- Some Buddhist sects revered the mountain. Beginning in the 12th century CE, those who practiced asceticism (shugendo) and held a combination of Buddhist, Taoist, and animist beliefs would travel in search of a “rebirth” from their time there.
- Around the mountain’s base, eight significant shrines were constructed. The Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha, which was built in 806 CE under the reign of Emperor Suinin (29 BCE – 70 CE), was the most significant Shinto shrine.
- To placate Fujisan following that century’s eruptions, the Kawaguchi Asama Shrine was constructed in the ninth century CE.
- Matsudai Shonin constructed the Dainichiji temple, which has a torii or holy gate, next to the mountain in 1149 CE.
- Additionally, there is the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja temple, which was established during Emperor Keiko’s era (71–130 CE) but was restored after an eruption eleven years earlier.
- Other holy locations on the mountain include the curving Shiraito Falls and the Oshino Hakkai Springs, both supplied by the mountain’s yearly snowpack and an underground river. Prayers are offered to the spirits of departed ancestors and (prudently) protection from a volcanic eruption, fire, and childbirth since Mt. Fuji is said to be a meeting place for their ghosts.
- More than 13,000 shrines around Japan are devoted to Fujisan and the mountain’s own shrines. Many of them have miniature versions of the mountain that pilgrims who are unable to climb the actual thing ascend as a kind of atonement.
- At the foot of Mount Fuji is a forest called Aokigahara, which is said to be haunted by ghosts, goblins, and monsters. Even in the middle of the summer, there is ice in the tunnels in the Aokigahara forest. According to the tale, the mountain’s rock has significant iron concentrations that render compasses and even Global Positioning Systems useless, making it simple to go lost.
Tourist Attractions
- In 1860, Sir Rutherford Alcock became the first foreigner to reach the summit. It is currently a famous mountain climbing destination and a prominent tourist attraction.
- Every year, between July 1 and August 27, almost 200,000 people ascend to its top. The temples at the crater’s foot and around its rim honor the Shinto deity Konohana Sakuya Hime.
- Japan constructed a roadway halfway up the mountain in the 1960s, exposing its routes to throngs of pilgrims and visitors who now number close to 200,000 yearly. Due to the sewage being poured down the mountain and the rubbish along the pathways caused a significant pollution issue.
- The Yoshida trail’s starting point and the most well-liked Mt. Fuji climbing base are both located at Fuji Subaru Line’s Fifth Station. Climbers can prepare for the hike or recuperate after it at the station’s numerous stores, eateries, and rest areas.
- At the base of Mount Fuji are five lakes and resort areas known as Fuji Five Lakes or Fuji Goko. Lake Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako, Lake Saiko, Lake Motosuko, and Lake Shoji make up the Fuji Five Lakes. They are a well-liked tourist attraction for sightseeing, hiking, camping, fishing, cruises, and museums all year.
- The Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway connects to Mt. Tenjo’s top and is situated close to Lake Kawaguchiko. Amazing views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchiko, and the surroundings are seen from the summit.
- The biggest of the Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Yamanaka, is close to Yamanakako Hanano Miyako Koen. With a fantastic view of Mount Fuji in the background, the huge park exhibits a variety of seasonal flowers from spring through fall, including sunflowers, tulips, cosmos, and more.
- Yamanakako Hanano Miyako Koen lies near Lake Yamanaka, the biggest of the Fuji Five Lakes. From spring through fall, the wide park showcases numerous types of seasonal flowers, like sunflowers, tulips, cosmos, and more, with an amazing view of Mt Fuji in the background.
- Oshino Hakkai is a traditional Japanese town in the vicinity of the Fuji Five Lakes. The settlement comprises eight ponds generated by spring water from Mt Fuji’s snow melt.
- Fuji Q Highland is one of Japan’s most popular amusement parks. The park is home to various world-record-breaking rides, such as roller coasters, swings, and others. It is located at the base of Mt Fuji, and the rides offer a breathtaking view of the mountain.
- Fujiyoshida Sengen Temple, also known as Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja, is a Shinto shrine located on Mt Fuji’s north slope, between Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka. The beautiful temple is surrounded by lush greenery.
- The Narusawa Ice Cave is a 153-meter-high ice cave in the Aokigahara Forest. Visitors may go into the cave, and there are ice pillars and an ice wall visible all year.
Mount Fuji Worksheets
This bundle contains 11 ready-to-use Mount Fuji Worksheets that are perfect for students who want to learn more about Mount Fuji, which is the highest mountain in Japan and one of the most famous in the world. It is an active volcano and is listed as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese Government.
Download includes the following worksheets:
- Mount Fuji Facts
- Japan in Color
- Found in Japan
- Stratovolcano
- Konohanasakuya
- Hiking Fuji-san
- The Hoei Eruption
- Volcanic Signs
- Nihon-go
- Fuji-san’s Haiku
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mt. Fuji famous?
Mount Fuji has been a holy spot for Shintoists since the 7th century, with the top being sacred to the goddess Sengen-Sama, and several shrines can be seen at the base and climb. Along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku, it is one of Japan’s three sacred mountains.
Is Mount Fuji the biggest volcano in the world?
Mt. Fuji is not only the tallest peak in Japan but also the 35th tallest mountain on the entire planet.
Where is Mt. Fuji?
Mt. Fuji, situated on Honshu island and spans the boundary between the prefectures of Shizuoka and Yamanashi, can be seen from Tokyo’s towering skyscrapers. Mt. Fuji is just 100 kilometers from Tokyo.
What are three interesting facts about Mount Fuji?
Mt. Fuji is made up of three different volcanoes. The Komitake volcano lies at the lowest layer, followed by the Kofuji volcano and the youngest volcano, Fuji. In terms of height and volume, Mount Fuji is the largest volcano in Japan. It is referred to as a “young volcano” since it is thought to have significantly increased in volume in the last 100,000 years.
Who owns Mount Fuji?
Many people naturally think that such a famous peak, Mount Fuji, is owned by the state. However, from the 8th level and above, Mt. Fuji is the exclusive domain of Fujisan Hong Sengen Taisha, which controls over 1,300 temples throughout the island country.
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Link will appear as Mount Fuji Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 25, 2018
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.