Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is Japan's highest mountain at 3,776 meters and an active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has been a sacred site of pilgrimage for centuries and is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Japan. The official climbing season is from early July to early September, with four main trails leading to the summit. Most climbers start from the 5th station and make an overnight ascent to watch the sunrise (goraiko) from the summit. Outside climbing season, the mountain can be viewed from many locations including the Fuji Five Lakes area, Hakone, and even Tokyo on clear days. Kawaguchiko on the northern side offers some of the best accessible viewpoints, while Fujinomiya on the south side provides the shortest climbing route.