Along with the sunrise, Mount Fuji is really a symbol of Japan. It’s huge cone, covered by snow almost the whole year, is rising solitary in the low plains that border the coasts of Honshu Island. Hundreds of painters and photographers tried to immortalize it, and writers tried to express its glory. But only the ones that see it can realize the astonishment and the awe that neither the paintings or the literature can imply.

But the massive aspect of the mountain is not the only reason why one should visit this natural wonder. Fuji is attracting people also due to it’s aspect that is constantly changing. Its luminosity varies, the areas covered with snow are modifying and the clouds are sometimes hiding its peak. The peak is actually the base of a crater, since the 3,776 meters high mountain is in fact, an active volcano. In time, the lava and ash eruptions transform this mountain into a massive structure, with a base circumference of 125 kilometers.

The Japanese are often calling the mountain “Fuji-san”, adding the polite particle that they are usually using for the appreciated people. Along with the five lakes, the forests, the shore area and the mountain form a Natural Park that is annually visited by more than 80 million people (about two thirds of the Japanese population). At least 250,000 visitors are also climbing the mountain.

The mountain was a famous place for pilgrimage for centuries – for men, because the access of women in area was forbidden until 1868. Nowadays, most of the tourists and the Fuji-ko pilgrims are climbing the mountain during July and August, when there is less snow. Many of the visitors are taking this journey at night, so that they can admire the sunrise from the top. After the cold nights of summer, the light of the dawns is offering unforgetable views over the forests and the lakes.

Image credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

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