~100,000 BC
The current cone of Mount Fuji begins forming over an older volcanic core known as Komitake.
History
The story of Mount Fuji.
A sacred cone, a place of pilgrimage, a muse for Hokusai and Hiroshige, and the most painted mountain on earth. A short biography of Japan's most famous landmark.
Timeline
Key moments
~8th century
Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine founded in Fujinomiya. Worship of Fuji as a kami begins.
663 AD
A monk named En no Gyoja becomes the first recorded climber, opening the mountain to ascetic practice.
1707
Hoei eruption, the most recent, throws ash on Edo (Tokyo) 100 km away. Forms the small Hoei crater on the southeast flank.
1800s
Fuji-ko pilgrimage groups thrive across Edo. Tens of thousands climb yearly. Stone replicas of Fuji (fujizuka) built in city neighbourhoods for those who could not travel.
1831-1833
Katsushika Hokusai publishes Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, launching the mountain into global art history.
1872
Women first allowed to climb Fuji legally after the Meiji restoration overturns earlier bans.
1936
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park established, formally protecting the mountain and the Five Lakes region.
2013
Mount Fuji inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as a cultural site, recognising its religious and artistic legacy.
2024
A new ¥4,000 trail fee introduced to manage overcrowding during climbing season.
Culture
Why Fuji matters in Japan
Sacred
Worshipped as the home of the kami Konohanasakuya-hime. Over 1,300 Sengen shrines across Japan honour Fuji.
Symbolic
Appears on the 1,000 yen note, in countless logos and films. National shorthand for Japan itself.
Artistic
Hokusai and Hiroshige made Fuji the centrepiece of ukiyo-e. Modern photographers and filmmakers continue the tradition.
FAQ
Common questions
When did Mount Fuji last erupt?
1707, the Hoei eruption. It is classed as an active volcano though it has been dormant for over three centuries.
Why is Mount Fuji a UNESCO site?
Listed in 2013 as a cultural site, not natural. UNESCO recognised its central place in Japanese religion, art and pilgrimage.
Who was the first climber?
Traditionally the 7th century monk En no Gyoja, though earlier ascetic climbs likely happened without record.
Plan