Mount Fuji in Japan: the origin, history and height of the mountain. Views of Mount Fuji (photo)

A real business card of Japan is Mount Fuji. Photos of this sleeping stratovolcano adorn all the tourist avenues about this country. The mountain is covered with myths and legends, sung by poets, is embodied in the pictures of famous artists. What brings such fame to Fujiyama? Maybe it's the highest peak in Japan? Most likely, in this case played the role of the history of the mountain, rather than its geographical parameters. In the view of the Japanese, Fujiyama is very far from her real image. Even an educated person is sure that the souls of the enlightened live in the bowels of the volcano. Therefore, the Japanese call respectfully - Fuji-san. Its outlines form an almost perfect cone. At the top are Shinto sanctuaries. And at the base, the mythical "Suicide Forest" is growing. Let's try to separate the truth from fiction and determine what the phenomenon is - Mount Fuji.

Dry scientific facts

As already mentioned, Fujiyama is the highest point in the entire Japanese archipelago, and at the same time the existing stratovolcano. There is a peak on the island of Honshu, at an incomplete one hundred kilometers from Tokyo. On clear days from the capital of Japan, you can even see in the south-west an ice-shining mountain peak. The height of Fuji is 3,776 meters above sea level. This volcano belongs to the mountain system of the Japanese Alps. So called the three ridges in the Land of the Rising Sun Englishman William Gouland. He issued a book for Europeans "Guide to Japan", where he compared the steep slopes of local mountains with alpine peaks. However, the Japanese Mount Fuji is not quite a dead volcano. The last time it erupted in 1708, and quite powerful. Then the streets of Edo (now Tokyo) covered a layer of volcanic ash 15 centimeters thick. During this eruption, the Hoi-zan Crater appeared, somewhat distorting the ideal outlines of Fuji.

History

Scientists distinguish old and new Fuji volcano. The first was formed 80 thousand years ago. He was quite active. And about 20 thousand years ago there was a powerful and long (several centuries) eruption. As a result of it, lava blocked the streams and formed the most beautiful "Five Fuji Lakes", and the old volcano completely collapsed. The new began to grow about 11 thousand years ago. His activity began to be fixed in the annals from 781 onwards. Since that time, there have been 12 eruptions. The largest, accompanied by the release of basalt lava, were observed in the 800th, 864 and 1708 years. Mount Fuji in Japan and now has not lost activity, but just asleep. The fact that it is a volcano is evidenced by many hot springs. But the crater (500 meters in diameter and 200 m deep) is now absolutely safe place.

Fujiyama in Japanese culture

Stratovulkan for centuries has been a popular topic in folk art. This, above all, contributed to ancient legends and legends. It was believed that at the top of the mountain, in the very mouth, the Taoist enlightened men live. The smoke on the volcano is a drink of immortality. Poets and artists described Fuji-san as a mountain, the top of which is bound by eternal ice. However, in reality in July and August, the snow completely disappears. On woodcuts, the mountain is very steep and steep, with a slope of 45 degrees. It was believed that only the elite could reach the summit. So, according to legend, such an ascension was made by Prince Shogoku. However, the views of Mount Fuji, photographed from different angles, show us rather gentle slopes. Despite the fact that the volcano repeatedly erupted, in the visual arts there is not a single picture representing Fujiyama raging. Probably, because in Japan, even a volcano is inadmissible to show their feelings.

Object of world tourism

Mount Fuji in Japan gained fame outside the country thanks to engravings of the Edo period. Woodcuts of Hokusai and Hiroshige, which depicts a magical peak rising above the clouds, captivated the imagination of Europeans. Every year, about two hundred thousand people rise to the summit. And this despite the fact that climbing is allowed for only two months - from July 1 to the end of August. But the tourist expeditions are not the main suppliers of visitors to the crater of the volcano. The share of foreigners among those who goes up the mountain is only 30%. The main goal of the ascent to the summit is a religious pilgrimage. On the top of Fuji, right at the edge of the crater, is the Shinto shrine temple of Sengen jinjia. Company monks are meteorologists, whose station is nearby, and ... postal employees. Send the card to the native directly from the top of the sacred mountain - this is considered a good sign in Japan.

World glory

In June 2013, Fujiyama was included in the UNESCO list. It is noteworthy that she found herself in this respectable list not as an interesting natural phenomenon, but as an object of cultural heritage. This is a tribute to the fact that for many centuries the volcano has inspired artists and poets to creativity. Therefore officially in the UNESCO list is: "Mount Fuji. An inexhaustible source of inspiration and an object of religious worship. " In addition, the volcano and its environs are part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu - the National Natural Park. And the five lakes - Sai, Shodzin, Motosu, Yamanaka and Kawaguchi - are a resort on which residents of Tokyo like to rest.

Ascent to Fuji

In the season open for mountain tourism, on the mountain slopes there are numerous rescue centers, shops and Yamagoya - tourist shelters, where you can spend the night. Fujiyama is divided into ten levels (gome). Up to the fifth one can be reached by bus, although there are official routes directly from the foot of the volcano. The largest number of Yamagoy, restaurants and other tourist infrastructure is observed on the northern slope. Along the way, you will find biotoilets. In them even the seat of a toilet bowl (same Japan!) Is warmed up from solar batteries. Fuji requires considerable effort from the conquerors of the peaks. Eight hours for lifting and five for descent, and this is not counting the time for halting and spending the night. And if you make an ascent from the fifth level, then you can keep within one light day: three hours up and two down.

Necessary care

Near the top you can notice the hovering gliders. Such flights are in principle dangerous, since Mount Fuji is famous for its gusty winds and fogs. Also, some tourists take wide ruts leading up the slope, for hiking trails. In fact, these dangerous routes are designed for bulldozers, which deliver to the Yamagoya provisions and bring down the affected tourists. Go along such a road, despite the seeming straightforwardness of the route, is dangerous. It is not carcassed, and stones can injure not only you, but also travelers on the hiking trails. Dispose of trash throughout the route is prohibited. In the shops on the slopes you will be sold water only in exchange for an empty bottle.

Why climb to the top of the volcano

Despite the fact that you can climb and go down from the top of Fuji for one light day, many tourists prefer to spend the night on the tenth, the highest, station, in a small hut. What makes them endure the cold and have dinner with curry noodles near the oil stove (three times more expensive than in the restaurant downstairs)? The fact is that Mount Fuji is famous for its dawns. And because all the tourists at four o'clock in the morning leave sleeping bags and rush with flashlights to the edge of the volcano to meet the sun. But even if you get to the top in the afternoon with the intention to return home in the dark, you will have an unforgettable experience. The crater of the mountain resembles a Martian landscape. The entire surface of the summit is covered with dark stone debris. The meteorological station and the sacred altars complement the strange picture.

Mount Fuji in Japan: a forest of suicides

Not less popular is and Dziukai. Translated from Japanese it means "Sea of trees". During the last eruption, the lava did not affect a small, about 35 square kilometers, piece of forest at the foot of the mountain. Since then, the trees have grown so large that they formed a dense tent of crowns and boxwood. It is said that earlier poor families brought old people and children who could not feed themselves into this forest. And according to the Japanese beliefs, the souls of those who died by painful death remain in this world to take revenge on the living. And the forest at Mount Fuji became the object of pilgrimage of suicidal individuals. Rejected lovers, people who lost their sense in life, burned down at work without any kinds of raising office plankton - all rush into Dziukai. The number of bodies found only varies from 70 to 100 per year. Overwhelmed by Zukai in the number of suicides, only the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco).