Mt. Fuji is more than just a mountain—it's a symbol deeply woven into Japan's culture and history. Known around the world for its iconic shape, it's no wonder that Mt. Fuji has so many fascinating stories to share. Here are a few that capture its unique spirit.
It's an Active Volcano
Even though Mt. Fuji looks calm and snow-capped, it’s actually an active volcano. It might surprise some people, but every year, hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists make the trek to its summit. The last eruption was in 1708, so it's not expected to erupt anytime soon.
Women Were Not Permitted to Climb
Mt. Fuji has been considered a sacred spot in Japan for a long time. People once believed it was the domain of a fire goddess who might be envious of women visiting. This belief continued until the Meiji Era (1868), when Lady Fanny Parkes became the first foreign woman to climb Mt. Fuji in 1869. Even now, there’s a mountain in Japan that still bans women from climbing: Mount Omine, which has had a climbing restriction for women for over 1,300 years.
It's Rumored the US Planned to Paint the Whole Mountain Red in WW2
During WWII, there's a curious rumor that the CIA once considered painting Mt. Fuji red as a psychological tactic, using planes to drop buckets of paint. The plan was scrapped when they realized it would take about 30,000 planes and 12 tons of paint to cover the mountain. Some sources even suggest they were planning to paint it black instead. While it's an intriguing story, it’s hard to say how true it really is.
There Was a Plan to Build a Cable Car Tunnel Inside the Mountain
Back in 1963, Fuji Kyuko Co. came up with a bold idea: an underground cable system inside Mt. Fuji to whisk visitors straight to the summit without climbing. They even joked that you could reach the top in high heels! Unfortunately, the plan was shot down because of the mountain's sacred status and worries about harming the environment. Nowadays, there’s talk about a railway that could take people partway up the mountain instead.
There's Free Wifi at the Summit
It might surprise you to learn that the top of Japan's highest mountain is pretty up-to-date with modern amenities. At the summit, you'll find restaurants, places to stay, toilets, vending machines, and even free WiFi. Plus, there's a post office where you can pick up and send postcards from the very top.
If you're looking for some beautiful resorts with views of the mountain, check out this article Luxury Resorts and Hotels with Views of Mount Fuji to Stay at Near Tokyo.