content: Mt. Fuji, one of Japan's finest UNESCO World Heritage Sites, has always drawn people, both in the past and present, with its timeless and majestic beauty. Fuji has been long revered in Japan as a "mountain where gods reside".
Some people come just to gaze, some come to capture its beauty on camera, some express it’s beauty artistically, and some come to climb this majestic mountain, whatever the reason, Mt. Fuji has never ceased to captivate people. So what then is the attraction of Fuji for people not only in Japan, but from all around the world?
We at SKY TREK would like to introduce you to the profound world of Mt. Fuji, along with some of our recommendations for ways to fully enjoy a trip to Mt. Fuji.
Mt. Fuji, The Tallest Mountain in Japan
Photo by Tetsuya Ito / Courtesy of SKY TREK
via media.skytrek.co.jpOn the border of the Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, Mt. Fuji, at an elevation of 3,776 meters, is the tallest mountain in Japan.
Even when compared to the second tallest mountain in Japan, Mount Kitadake, which stands at an elevation of 3,193, the height of Mt. Fuji stands out well above the rest.The beautiful divergent shape of Mt. Fuji is comprised of the Sen-Komitake, Komitake, Old Fuji, and New Fuji Mountains, and as a stratovolcano, was formed as a result of multiple explosive volcanic eruptions.
Through Mt. Fuji is still a relatively new volcano, becoming volcanically active around 100,000 years ago, in addition to its height, the volume of magma produced throughout its eruptions is also said to be the greatest in Japan. Mt. Fuji’s current symbolical conical peak that appears to pierce the sky, is the form that took shape in its third eruption around 10,000 years ago.
Mt. Fuji as an Object of Faith in Japan
Although Mt. Fuji has been praised as one of the greatest mountains in Japan for its beautiful appearance, people of past times saw the rampaging volcano as a "figure of an angry god", and feared and respected Fuji as a "mountain where gods reside". It is thought that for the people at the time, Mt. Fuji was an entity to be worshiped from a distance through both a fear of the mountain as a bringer of disasters through eruptions and as an existence which the people found themselves naturally clasping their hands in prayer in deference to its beautiful appearance.
The discovery of shrines thought to have been built in the middle Jomon period (c. 14,000–300 BCE) further evidence that Mt. Fuji has historically been an object of worship. 
Photo by Tetsuya Ito / Courtesy of SKY TREK
via media.skytrek.co.jpThe spirit of the mountain, which had been named 'fuji no kami', came to be called 'asama no okami' in the Heian Period (794-1185). The god 'asama no okami' was enshrined at the foot of the mountain to quell the raging Mount Fuji, which also marked the beginning of the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine.Following the late Heian period, after the volcanic activity died down, the shrine was used as a place to practice Shugendo, a blend of a traditional Japanese mountain asceticism and Buddhism.
Under Shugendo, the mountain became a place for practicing asceticism and for mountain pilgrimages which involved praying to the virtues of the mountain's god while climbing the mountain.
In the latter half of the Muromachi Period (1336- 1573), the common populace also began taking pilgrimages to Mt. Fuji, and climbing Mt. Fuji became widespread.
The Attraction of Climbing Mt. Fuji
What is The Attraction of Mt. Fuji Which Draws Around 300,000 Mountain-Climbers Who All Aspire to Reach the Summit Every Year?There are 4 main routes for climbing Mt. Fuji, known as the Fujinomiya, Gotenba, Subashiri, and Yoshida routes. You can choose the route which best suits your level, each of which begins at a different starting point. Though it can differ depending upon your pace and the route chosen, the average time required for climbing Mt. Fuji is between 5 hours and 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Photo by Tetsuya Ito / Courtesy of SKY TREK
via media.skytrek.co.jpBy the time you reach the top of the mountain at an elevation above 3,700 meters, you will be in a place far above the clouds. The scenery spanning from the Southern Alps and the Izu Peninsula, to Lake Kawaguchi and Okutama mountains is one of the greatest views you can find in Japan.Watch the sunrise from the top of the mountain, known as the 'goraikou' in Japanese, or catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji's beautiful silhouette, known as 'kage Fuji', cast upon the clouds and at the foot of the mountain. There is also the 'ohachi-meguri', which involves circling the mouth of the giant crater at the mountain top. You can also take a visit to experience Mt. Fuji's spiritual roots at Fujisan Hongu Sengen shrine, the head shrine of around 1,300 Sengen shrines said to be in Japan.Notably, in the Asuka Period (538-710), the famous Japanese historical figure Prince Shotoku was said to have climbed Mt. Fuji on horseback. According to the "Biography of Prince Shotoku", written by Fujiwara no Kanesuke, there legend tells that Prince Shotoku got on a horse offered to him by the Province of Kai, and rode up Mt. Fuji upon a cloud. In homage to the legend, one of the mountains at the mountain peak is called Mt. Komagatake. Not only is there a sense of accomplishment after climbing Mt. Fuji, but depending on the season, the time of day, and the weather, Mt. Fuji can present itself in many different ways, making it possible to truly feel a preeminent force of nature that will keep you coming back time and time again.
This is likely the reason Mt. Fuji never ceases to attract mountain climbers.
The Reason Why Mt. Fuji Was Chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Mt. Fuji, with the highest elevation in Japan, was registered as a World Heritage Site at the World Heritage Committee held in June of 2013 in Cambodia. 
Photo by Tetsuya Ito / Courtesy of SKY TREK
via media.skytrek.co.jpMt. Fuji, which is recognized worldwide as a significant symbol of Japan, stands out because it is internationally recognized not only for its height, but for what Mt. Fuji represents in terms of the faith of the Japanese people, and as a source of art through its depictions.
As a World Heritage Site, the designation of Mt. Fuji includes not only the mountain itself but a total of 25 component properties which include the surrounding temples and mountain trails. Mt. Fuji's, intangible value as a "symbol of faith and a source of art" carved out Mt. Fuji's place as a World Heritage Site.
As a Subject of Photography Representing Japan
Mt. Fuji, with its plethora of different expressions throughout the year, is a photo subject which represents Japan.Picture taking technology spread during the late Edo Period (1603-1868), and since various landscapes and individuals in various regions of Japan came to be photographed, countless pictures have captured Mt. Fuji as a subject.
Its isolated peak, without other mountains in the vicinity, is a beautiful triangular form regardless of the angle the picture is taken from. While on one hand Mt. Fuji is a photographic subject that is beginner friendly, the many faces of Mt. Fuji that can be seen under specific seasonal and weather conditions requires not only skilled photography, but endurance, concentration, and sometimes even a bit of good fortune, all of which make Mt. Fuji a very difficult and profound subject.There is the grand figure of Mt. Fuji that can be seen from Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes. There is also the breathtaking view of a few of the significant archetypes of Japan in "Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms, and a five-storied pagoda" that can be seen from Arakurayama Sengen Park. At sunrise or sunset, when the peak of Mt. Fuji overlaps with the sun, the mountain emits a glow that has been likened to a diamond, and as such, the sight is called "Diamond Fuji".
The reddish hue of the snow covered cap of Mt. Fuji at sunrise is called "Akafuji".
Photography of Mt. Fuji is a profound world, transforming the world seen through a camera filter at each different viewing angle. The scenery of Mt. Fuji is constantly changing, and the moment when you release the shutter to finally capture a miraculous view can leave an indescribable impression.
Photo by Tetsuya Ito / Courtesy of SKY TREK
SKY TREK Mt. Fuji Flight
The Mt. Fuji flight will take off from Honda Airport, located in Okegawa City in the Saitama Prefecture. The airport is one of the 100 airports within the SKY TREK network.
Upon arriving at Honda Airport at the designated meeting time, SKY TREK's exclusive KODIAK100 aircraft will be on standby for your departure. Not bound by the set schedule of regular flights, SKY TREK makes it possible to plan your trip in comfort and freedom.
Photo by Tetsuya Ito / Courtesy of SKY TREK
via media.skytrek.co.jp"Instead of waiting for your flight, the plane waits for you". This is SKY TREK's new style of travel.
Since the flight is personally customized, the departure time is set by you, and your choice of flight course can also be discussed. The baggage checks are smooth, allowing you to circumvent long waiting times.The exclusive aircraft KODIAK100 is manufactured by Quest Aircraft, a manufacturer of small aircraft. The model was originally used for international humanitarian assistance, since it is able to take off and land within a short distance even on bumpy, uneven ground, and is capable of utilizing its superior aviation capabilities in tough environments with uneven terrain and mountainous areas.In 2017, the airframe received a certification of safety from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency as a testament to its reliability and safety features.The time required for the Mt. Fuji flight is 60 minutes.Since SKY TREK flies at lower altitudes than traditional passenger planes, it is possible to take in the panoramic views from the sky.
The unique angle of Mt. Fuji delves into the depths of the mountain, and the surrounding clouds move around fluidly as though alive.
The dramatic scenery of the Japanese symbol, Mt. Fuji, offers plenty to keep you engaged.Enjoy a 60 minute stroll in the skies packed with Mt. Fuji's attractions.
Set Off on a Free and Luxurious Voyage with a Customized Trip to the Skies!
Photo by Tetsuya Ito / Courtesy of SKY TREK
via media.skytrek.co.jpThough not quite a private jet, you can charter a small aircraft with the ease of reserving a taxi, and take off to the Japanese skies without the time constraints of a regular flight.
SKY TREK makes it possible to realize this dreamlike journey.
Being able to take off from and land at around 100 airports within Japan makes it possible to fly between regional airports on routes not covered by regular flights and instantly expands the number of options for your journey in the sky.
With a customized trip to the skies, make your travels in Japan more liberating and luxurious.
We hope you will discover new attractions of Mt. Fuji as is only possible from an aerial view with SKY TREK.＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
SKY TREK
https://skytrek.co.jp/
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