Nice views of Mt. Fuji are seen from this visitor center. The center also has displays about Mt. Fuji's cultural, spiritual and geological importance.
The beautiful snow capped, cone shaped Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 12,390 feet. It is an active volcano having first erupted about 8000-10,000 years ago with it last eruption occurring in 1708. Mt. Fuji is a well known symbol of Japan and a common subject of Japanese art and photography. It is the holiest mountain in Japan and sacred to and worshiped by Shintoists and Buddhists. Its name is derived from the Buddhist fire goddess Fuchi. The shrine for the Shinto goddess Sengen-Sama is located at the top of Mt. Fuji. Until about 100 years ago Mt. Fuji was considered so sacred that only priests and religious pilgrims were allowed to climb it. Now anyone can climb it but just during July and August when there is no snow on it. The upper part of Mt. Fuji is made of loose volcanic ash without any vegetation or bodies of water. On a clear day Mt. Fuji can be seen from Tokyo. (See a few earlier photos showing Mt. Fuji from Tokyo.)

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