Mount Fuji is a must-visit destination for Chinese tourists traveling to Japan. Many have heard that the mountain’s lava possesses divine power and even pick up a piece as a souvenir, unaware that this is illegal and could result in a fine. Yet, the sacred and majestic Mount Fuji has indeed been an object of faith and admiration since ancient times.
The famous ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai from Japan’s Edo period left a deep impression on the world with his masterpiece series “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,” particularly the iconic red Fuji in “Fine Wind, Clear Morning” (Kairo no Fujimichi), which remains highly sought after by collectors. The modern Japanese painting master Yokoyama Taikan was also a devotee of Mount Fuji; his works “Japan at Dawn” and “Ultramarine Fuji” leave viewers in awe of the mountain’s beauty.
From Japan’s oldest existing poetry collection, the “Man’yōshū,” to classic literary works such as “The Tale of Genji,” as well as haiku by Matsuo Bashō, the Edo-period haiku saint, and literary works by modern literary giants like Natsume Sōseki and Dazai Osamu, all contain depictions of Mount Fuji.
Standing at 3,776 meters, Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest peak and a symbol of the nation’s spirit and culture. The mysterious mountain has inspired art and faith throughout history, making it an invaluable treasure for the Japanese people.
Given Mount Fuji’s profound influence on the Japanese, Shizuoka Governor Heita Kawakatsu stated that Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures submitted a draft proposal for World Heritage nomination to Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs in July this year. In September, the Japanese government decided to recommend Mount Fuji for inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Why does this iconic Japanese mountain inspire both reverence and awe among the Japanese? Primarily because Mount Fuji is an active volcano that has erupted repeatedly since 400,000 years ago. The eruptions and lava flows gradually shaped the mountain’s form. Ancient Japanese revered Mount Fuji as a god, believing many deities resided there, and that only through respectful worship could eruptions be kept in check.
It is said that the “Asama Shrine” at the foot of Mount Fuji, dedicated to the goddess Konohanasakuya-hime, was built around 27 AD against this backdrop. The “Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha,” the head shrine of over 1,300 Asama shrines nationwide, has long been the center of Mount Fuji worship. During the Edo period, when mountain lectures and ascetic practices were popular, the shrine was even protected by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun. The current shrine buildings, constructed in 806 AD, are the oldest in Japan’s Tokai region and are designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.
Within the shrine grounds lies “Yugama Pond,” formed by springs flowing from Mount Fuji. The crystal-clear waters are designated as a Special Natural Monument. Since ancient times, many Japanese have loved climbing Mount Fuji, and Yugama Pond served as the starting point for these climbs. Climbers would purify themselves here before ascending the mountain.
A Muromachi-period painter, Kano Motonobu, depicted the bustling scene of worshippers climbing Mount Fuji on silk in his artwork “Silk Painting of the Fuji Mandala,” which details the journey and scenes at various shrines and rest stops along the way. This painting has become an important reference for later studies of Mount Fuji.
In the past, women were not allowed to climb to the summit of Mount Fuji. This painting also shows the mountain’s halfway point as the uppermost destination for female worshippers. This taboo was not broken until the Meiji era, and now men and women can freely climb to the summit.
Governor Kawakatsu said, “Currently, during the climbing season in July and August alone, 300,000 to 400,000 people ascend Mount Fuji each year. With the opening of Shizuoka Fuji Airport, we’ve seen an influx of international tourists, and we expect this number to keep growing. We welcome more visitors to enjoy Mount Fuji, but we hope it won’t lead to environmental degradation.”
Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures predict that Mount Fuji may be inscribed as a World Heritage Site by June next year. Before then, they will establish related environmental protection measures. Currently under consideration is a “cultural environment tax” or climbing fee for visitors ascending above the Fifth Station (one of the main trailheads to the summit). There are also plans to require private vehicles to switch to public buses before reaching the Fifth Station, reducing the environmental burden on Mount Fuji.