The real hallmark of Japan is Mount Fuji. Photos of this dormant stratovolcano adorn all tourist brochures about this country. The mountain is covered with myths and legends, sung by poets, captured in the paintings of famous artists. What brings such fame to Fujiyama? Maybe the fact that it is the highest peak in Japan? Most likely, in this case, the history of the mountain, and not its geographical parameters, played a role. In the view of the Japanese, Fujiyama is very far from her real image. Even an educated person is sure that the souls of the enlightened ones live in the depths of the volcano. Therefore, the Japanese call the mountain respectfully - Fuji-san. Its outlines form an almost perfect cone. At the top are Shinto shrines. And at the base grows no less mythical "Forest of Suicides". Let's try to separate truth from fiction and determine what the phenomenon is - Mount Fuji.
Dry scientific facts
As already mentioned, Fujiyama is the highest point in the entire Japanese archipelago, and at the same time the currentstratovolcano. The peak is located on the island of Honshu, less than a hundred kilometers from Tokyo. On clear days, from the capital of Japan, you can even see the peak of the mountain shining with ice in the southwest. Mount Fuji is 3,776 meters above sea level. This volcano belongs to the Japanese Alps mountain system. This is how the Englishman William Gowland called three ridges in the Land of the Rising Sun. He published a book for Europeans "A Guide to Japan", where he compared the steep slopes of the local mountains with the Alpine peaks. However, Japan's Mount Fuji is not quite a dead volcano. It last erupted in 1708, and quite powerfully. Then the streets of Edo (now Tokyo) were covered with a layer of volcanic ash 15 centimeters thick. During this eruption, the Hoei-zan crater appeared, somewhat distorting the ideal outlines of Fuji.
History
Scientists distinguish between old and new Mount Fuji. The first was formed 80 thousand years ago. He was quite active. And about 20 thousand years ago there was a powerful and long (several centuries) eruption. As a result, lava blocked the streams and formed the beautiful Five Lakes of Fuji, and the old volcano completely collapsed. New began to grow about 11 thousand years ago. His activity began to be recorded in chronicles from 781. Since that time there have been 12 eruptions. The largest, accompanied by the release of bas altic lava, were observed in 800, 864 and 1708. Mount Fuji in Japan has not lost activity even now, but simply sleeps. The fact that this is still a volcano is evidenced by many hot springs. But the crater(500 meters in diameter and 200 meters deep) is now a completely safe place.
Fujiyama in Japanese culture
The stratovolcano has been a popular subject in folk art for centuries. This, above all, contributed to the ancient traditions and legends. It was believed that on the top of the mountain, in the very vent, Taoist enlightened men live. The smoke on the volcano is the drink of immortality being brewed. Poets and artists described Fuji-san as a mountain, the top of which is bound by eternal ice. However, in reality, in July and August, the snow completely melts. On woodcuts, the mountain is depicted as very steep and precipitous, with a slope of 45 degrees. It was believed that only a select few could reach the top. So, according to legend, Prince Shogoku made such an ascent. However, views of Mount Fuji, filmed from different angles, show us rather gentle slopes. Despite the fact that the volcano has repeatedly erupted, there is not a single picture in the visual arts that represents Fujiyama raging. Probably because in Japan even a volcano is not allowed to show his feelings.
World Tourism Site
Mount Fuji in Japan became famous outside the country thanks to the prints of the Edo period. Woodcuts by Hokusai and Hiroshige, which depict a magical peak rising high above a layer of clouds, captivated the imagination of Europeans. About 200,000 people climb to the top every year. And this despite the fact that the ascent is allowed for only two months - from July 1 to the endAugust. But tourist expeditions are not the main suppliers of visitors to the crater of the volcano. The share of foreigners among those who climb the mountain is only 30%. The main goal of climbing to the top is a religious pilgrimage. At the top of Fuji, right at the edge of the crater, there is a Shinto shrine called Sengen Jinja. The monks are accompanied by meteorologists, whose station is located nearby, and … postal employees. Sending a postcard to your family directly from the top of a sacred mountain is considered a good sign in Japan.
World fame
In June 2013, Fujiyama was included in the UNESCO list. It is noteworthy that she got into this list worthy of respect not as an interesting natural phenomenon, but as an object of cultural heritage. This is a tribute to the fact that for many centuries the volcano has inspired artists and poets to create. Therefore, officially on the UNESCO list is: “Mount Fuji. An inexhaustible source of inspiration and an object of religious worship. In addition, the volcano and its surroundings are part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu - National Natural Park. And five lakes - Sai, Shojin, Motosu, Yamanaka and Kawaguchi - are a resort that Tokyo residents love to relax.
Mount Fuji
During the season open for mountain tourism, on the slopes of the mountain there are numerous rescue centers, shops and yamagoya - tourist shelters where you can spend the night. Fujiyama is divided into ten levels (gome). Five can be reached by bus, although there are official routesright at the foot of the volcano. The largest number of yamagoya, restaurants and other tourist infrastructure is observed on the northern slope. Along the way, you will also come across dry closets. They even have a solar-powered toilet seat (this is Japan!). Fuji requires a lot of effort from climbers. Eight hours for the ascent and five for the descent, and that's not counting the time for h alts and overnight stays. And if you make an ascent from the fifth level, then you can keep within one light day: three hours up and two down.
Necessary Caution
Not far from the top you can see gliders soaring. Such flights are dangerous in principle, since Mount Fuji is "famous" for gusty winds and fogs. Also, some tourists mistake the wide ruts leading up the slope for hiking trails. In fact, these dangerous tracks are intended for bulldozers, which deliver provisions to Yamagoya and bring injured tourists down. Walking along such a road, despite the apparent directness of the route, is dangerous. It is not rolled, and the stones can injure not only you, but also travelers walking along the tourist trails. Throwing garbage throughout the route is prohibited. The shops on the slopes will only sell you water in exchange for an empty bottle.
Why climb to the top of the volcano
Despite the fact that you can go up and down Mount Fuji in one light day, many tourists prefer to spend the night at the tenth, highest station, in a small hut. What makes them endure the cold and dine nearoil oven curry noodles (triple the price of the restaurant downstairs)? The fact is that Mount Fuji is famous for its sunrises. That is why all the tourists at four o'clock in the morning leave their sleeping bags and rush with flashlights to the edge of the volcano to meet the sun. But even if you make it to the top during the day with the intention of returning home after dark, an unforgettable experience awaits. The crater of the mountain resembles a Martian landscape. The entire surface of the summit is covered with dark stone fragments. A weather station and sacred altars complete the strange picture.
Mount Fuji in Japan: Suicide Forest
Jukai is no less popular. It means "Sea of Trees" in Japanese. During the last eruption, lava did not affect a small, about 35 square kilometers, piece of forest at the foot of the mountain. Since then, the trees have grown so much that they have formed a dense tent of crowns and thickets of boxwood. It is said that earlier poor families brought old people and children to this forest, whom they could not feed. And according to Japanese beliefs, the souls of those who died a painful death remain in this world to take revenge on the living. And the forest near Mount Fuji has become an object of pilgrimage for suicidal individuals. Rejected lovers, people who have lost their meaning in life, office plankton burned out at work with no prospects for promotion - everyone rushes to Jukai. The number of bodies found alone ranges from 70 to a hundred annually. Only the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco) surpassed Zukai in the number of suicides.
