About this place

Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Honshu, Japan. It stands on the border between Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. At 3,776 meters (12,389 feet), it is the highest peak in Japan. The mountain is known for its exceptionally symmetrical cone, a feature that has made it a long-standing symbol of the country. In 2013, Mount Fuji was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a Cultural Site for its role in inspiring artists and poets and as a place of pilgrimage.

Geological History

The current form of Mount Fuji is the result of multiple stages of volcanic activity. The modern volcano, known as "New Fuji," began to form on top of an older volcano ("Old Fuji") around 10,000 years ago. Geologically, it is classified as an active volcano, though it has a low risk of eruption. The last recorded eruption occurred in 1707 and is known as the Hōei eruption. This event did not produce a lava flow but released a large volume of volcanic ash that covered the surrounding region, including the city of Edo (present-day Tokyo).

The View from the Shinkansen

The Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the high-speed rail line connecting Tokyo and Osaka, offers a well-known view of Mount Fuji. When traveling from Tokyo, the mountain becomes visible on the right-hand side of the train, particularly on the stretch of track that passes through Shizuoka Prefecture. The journey provides a transient, moving perspective of the mountain.

During the winter months, the view is often at its clearest due to lower humidity and stable weather conditions. The upper two-thirds of the volcano are typically covered in a thick layer of snow, which starkly contrasts with the deep blue of the winter sky. This snow cover accentuates the mountain's smooth, conical shape. The high speed of the train creates a dynamic viewing experience, where the foreground of cityscapes, rice paddies, and tea plantations rushes by, while the massive form of Mount Fuji remains a constant, distant presence on the horizon.