Mount Fuji: Japan’s Sacred Mountain

Mount Fuji, also known as Fuji-san (富士山), stands at an impressive 3,776.24 metres above sea level, making it Japan's highest mountain and, at the same time, a striking volcano.

A world-famous attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the sacred Fuji-san draws not only nature lovers and adventurers but has also been revered by the Japanese as a holy place for centuries.

In this article, we dive into the remarkable history of Mount Fuji and explore the spiritual significance of this imposing mountain, which has not only a physical but also a metaphysical presence in Japanese culture. The mountain is beautiful in every season.

Ready to climb to the summit? Then let us uncover the mystery of the sacred Fuji-san together and explore its important role in Shintoism and Buddhism.

Shintoism is a Japanese religion based on the worship of gods and spirits in nature. Shintō, which translates literally as “the way of the gods”, emphasises the spiritual significance of natural phenomena such as mountains, rivers, trees and stones, as well as ancestor worship and purification rituals.

The Shintō faith is like a living river flowing through the soul of Japan. Without sacred scriptures or fixed hierarchies, Shintō is not an organised religious community but an integral part of Japanese culture and identity, deeply rooted in the country's traditions and customs. As such, Shintō plays an important role in many aspects of daily life in Japan and is closely bound up with Japanese history, mythology and folklore.

The worship of the sacred mountain is known as Fuji shinkō (富士信仰, the Fuji faith) and has a long history within the Shintō faith. Fuji has been regarded as sacred for centuries and is a place where gods and spirits are venerated. As early as 27 BC, a deity named Asama no ōkami (浅間大神) was dedicated to the mountain and a shrine was built in her honour.

In the year 806, on the orders of Emperor Heizei, the Shintō shrine Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha was built at the foot of the mountain, and it has been an important place of worship ever since. The shrine serves as the head sanctuary for more than 1,300 Sengen shrines (also known as Asama shrines) dedicated to the sacred Mount Fuji.

In Buddhism, Mount Fuji is revered above all in the context of Shugendō, a form of mountain worship. This is a syncretic religion in Japan that combines elements of the Shintō faith and Buddhism. This particular Buddhist tradition encompasses spiritual practices such as meditation, asceticism and pilgrimages in the mountains.

Mount Fuji is regarded as a place that radiates a special spiritual energy and purity, which is why climbing the mountain is often seen as a form of spiritual practice.

There are also temples and shrines near Mount Fuji that are visited by Buddhist worshippers to perform rituals and prayers. As early as the 12th century, the priest Matsudai Shonin built a shrine to Sengen Dainichi – the Buddhist deity of the mountain – on the crater rim.

During the Muromachi period (14th–16th century), climbing Mount Fuji became popular among the general public. Special mandalas were also created at this time to promote pilgrimages up the mountain. Today, there are four different routes that can be used to climb Mount Fuji.

On the whole, it is fair to say that Mount Fuji holds a deep religious significance for the people of Japan and is regarded as a place where one can have spiritual experiences, gain insight and receive divine blessings.

Don't worry if you're not one of the enthusiastic summit-baggers. The significance and beauty of Fuji can be experienced in many ways – not only by climbing the mountain.

In fact, the Japanese often say that the full splendour of Fuji is best appreciated from a distance. The mountain's majestic beauty is especially striking when it is viewed from the surrounding areas or from elevated vantage points.

What's more, it is often difficult to see the mountain up close, as it is frequently shrouded in cloud, fog or haze, particularly in the early morning and late evening. Many visitors and locals therefore seek out spots with good visibility in order to admire the mountain from afar and take in its impressive appearance to the full.

Fortunately, the majestic image of Fuji, with its distinctive conical silhouette, often stretches across great distances. On a clear day, the mountain is visible from as far as 80–100 kilometres away (including from Yokohama and Tokyo).

The spiritual significance of Mount Fuji in Buddhism and Shintoism, its cultural heritage in Japan and its role as a national landmark make it an important symbol that artists have often taken up as a subject or motif in their work. Whether in paintings, photographs, poems or literary texts, many artists have immortalised the splendour and beauty of the mountain, often wreathed in cloud or mist, in their creations.

Experience a fascinating visit to Mount Fuji in Japan as part of an authentic small-group tour of Japan. Immerse yourself in the captivating history and significance of this symbolic mountain as you discover the beauty of Japan.