There are 10 stations on Mt. Fuji. The first station is at its base and the tenth station is at its summit. There are four, fifth stations on different sides of the mountain. Paved roads only go up the mountain to the fifth station. To go higher requires hiking, horseback riding or skiing. We arrived at this station by bus. Other names for the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station are the Yoshidaguchi 5th Station or the Kawaguchiko 5th Station.
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 the mountain is relatively free of snow and the weather is mild. 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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