Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji (Japan) - Rank 10 as of June 13, 2008
Mount Fuji (Fujisan) stand at 3776 meters above sea level, and it is Japan's highest mountain. Mount Fuji is a dormant volcano, which last erupted in 1707-1708. It stands on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures and can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days. Surrounded by three small cities which are Gotemba (east), Fujiyoshida (north) and Fujinomiya (southwest).

Mt. Fuji has been worshipped as a "sacred mountain" and has been popular to artists, tourist and normal people. Thus, about 200,000 people climbs the mountain every year, and about 30% are foreigners. Japan, being one of the most mountainous countries in the world, mountain is an historic element of Japanese culture.

The easiest way to view Mount Fuji is from the train on a trip along the Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Osaka. If you take the shinkansen from Tokyo in direction of Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka, the best view of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from around Shin-Fuji Station on the right hand side of the train, about 40 to 45 minutes after leaving Tokyo.

The best way to enjoy Mount Fuji at a more leisurely pace and from a nice natural surrounding, is to head to the Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko) region at the northern foot of the mountain, or to Hakone, a nearby hot spring resort.

Mount Fuji is officially open for climbing during July and August via several routes.

Basic Information
- 3775.63m above sea level
- located between Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures (West of Tokyo)
- Consists mainly of basaltic lava(about 50% silicon dioxide)
- mountain top temperature averages monthly to -18 to +8°C (degrees Celsius)
- last recorded eruption was in Dec. 16, 1707 - Jan. 1, 1708

The information provided above and sample pictures featured below are from the following web references. You may check the links for additional information, including travel details, and photo galleries.

http://www.mt-fuji.co.jp/index-e.html (Mt. Fuji Official Web Site)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2172.html
http://www.sacredland.org/world_sites_pages/MtFuji.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujisan
http://gojapan.about.com/cs/photogallery/a/fujiphotoindex.htm

To vote for Mt. Fuji for the New 7 Wonders, visit:
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/asia/c/MountFujiMountain/

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http://www.new7wonders.com/