Which Is the Tallest Mountain in Japan? Mount Fuji Explained

Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan with its height being 3,776 metres (12,389 feet). The mountain is not only a famous landmark of the whole country but also an active stratovolcano that is situated on the Honshu island in Japan. Mount Fuji is one of the Three Holy Mountains of Japan and its symmetrical form makes the volcano recognizable all around the world. As regards competitive examinations, Mount Fuji is very significant because of the questions concerning Japanese geography, mountains, volcanoes and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Which Is the Tallest Mountain in Japan?

Mount Fuji, also known as Fuji-san, is the highest mountain in Japan with the height of 3,776 metres. The highest point of the mountain, Kengamine, is situated in the crater of the volcano.

Mount Fuji is located in between Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures in Honshu. This volcano is 600 metres taller than Mount Kita which is the second-highest mountain in Japan with the height of 3,193 metres.

How Was Mount Fuji Formed?

Mount Fuji is a stratovolcano, created as a result of multiple phases of volcanic activities over a long period of time in geological history. The current mountain was created via successive formation of various volcanic features.

The main volcanic phases include,

• Komitake – the older, underlying volcano
• Ko-Fuji (Old Fuji)
• Shin-Fuji (New Fuji), which creates the main cone of Mount Fuji

Various volcanic eruptions created the successive layers of lava, ash, and other volcanic rocks, resulting in Mount Fuji’s unique symmetrical cone.

Is Mount Fuji an Active Volcano?

Yes. Mount Fuji is an active volcano, but it has not erupted in many years.

Its last major eruption took place from December 1707 till early 1708 and is known as Hōei eruption. It happened during the Edo period and covered large areas with volcanic ashes, including areas around current Tokyo.

The volcanic activity of the volcano is explained by its geographical location in the Pacific Ring of Fire region.

Why is Mount Fuji Significant?

The importance of Mount Fuji goes beyond its sheer height. The mountain has been linked to the religion, arts, and culture of Japan and is considered to be a sacred mountain.

It is one of Japan’s three Sacred Mountains, which includes,

• Tate Mountain
• Haku Mountain
• Fuji Mountain

Mount Fuji is also a recognized cultural site on an international scale. In 2013, “Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration” was added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

For centuries, the mountain has been the source of inspiration for Japanese paintings, literature, and other forms of art.

Mount Fuji and the Pacific Ring of Fire

Japan is a country that lies in a region known for high levels of tectonic activity due to the interactions of many tectonic plates in the area. This makes Japan vulnerable to numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

This makes Mount Fuji significant as an example of a volcano in a tectonic setting.

Mount Fuji Compared to Mount Kita

One of the most frequently asked questions for examinations is which one is the second highest mountain in Japan.

Mount Kita has an altitude of 3,193 metres, which makes it the second highest mountain in Japan. This mountain is part of the Southern Alps Mountains of Japan located in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Mount Fuji is 583 metres higher than Mount Kita.