Mt. Fuji, Japan (February 2025)

Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan at 3,776 meters high. It is an active volcano with the potential to erupt. It is one of the most sacred mountains in Japan and many arts have been created on the theme of this mountain. 

We climbed to Arakurayama Shengen Shrine where you could see Mt. Fuji well. At the top was a pagoda, called Chureito Pagoda. We had to climb 470 steps to the top.

There were many spots where you could see Mt. Fuji. One of them was from the boat on the Kawaguchiko Lake. 

We had lunch at one of the most famous udon places in the area, called Sojak. We ate udon and tempura-don, which were delicious. 

We also went to Oishi Park across the Kawaguchiko Lake from Mt. Fuji. The clouds at the summit of Mt. Fuji were cleared by the time we went to the park. 

Japan has an apple called Fuji. Many people mistakenly think its name originated from Mt. Fuji, but its origin is from Fujisaki in Aomori Prefecture where the apples are produced. Nonetheless, the Fuji apple we ate in the area was sweet and delicious. 

There has been a rumor for the past 20 years that Mt. Fuji is about to erupt. If it happens, the side effect could be tremendous, they say. I hope that the impact will be minimal. - Jeffrey