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Room of Japan · Nature and geography

What is Mount Fuji?

In short

Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, 3,776 meters high. It is an active volcano on the border of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, and in 2013 it became a World Heritage site.
Highest in JapanWorld Heritage 2013
富士山Mount Fuji (Fujisan)
Height
3,776 m (Kengamine)
Prefectures
Yamanashi and Shizuoka
Type
Stratovolcano, active
Last eruption
1707 (the Hoei eruption)
World Heritage
Cultural site, inscribed 2013

Height from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (list of main mountains, March 31, 2026). Volcano facts from the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The highest mountain in Japan

Mount Fuji is 3,776 meters high at its highest point, called Kengamine. It stands on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures.

In the national list of Japan’s main mountains, the second highest is Kita-dake in Yamanashi Prefecture, at 3,193 meters. Mount Fuji is 583 meters higher.

A volcano built on older volcanoes

Mount Fuji is a stratovolcano, a cone built up from many layers. It formed on top of two older volcanoes, Komitake and Ko-Fuji.

Counting all three, its volume is about 400 cubic kilometers, and its base is about 50 kilometers across. There are about 100 smaller side volcanoes on its slopes.

Above about 2,450 meters, the mountain is bare rock. Wind wears it away, and the west slope is breaking down badly (the Osawa landslide area).

Eruptions in history

From 864 to 866, lava flowed from the side of the mountain. This lava, now called the Aokigahara lava, reached Lake Motosu and split an old lake called “Senoumi” into two lakes, Lake Shoji and Lake Sai.

The most recent eruption began on December 16, 1707 (the Hoei eruption), on the southeast slope. Ash fell on Edo (today’s Tokyo) that same day, and about 5 centimeters of ash piled up in Kawasaki.

Mount Fuji is an active volcano. The Japan Meteorological Agency watches it all the time.

A World Heritage site

In 2013, Mount Fuji became a World Heritage site. Its full name on the list is “Fujisan, Sacred Place and Source of Artistic Inspiration” (富士山‐信仰の対象と芸術の源泉‐).

It is listed as a cultural World Heritage site, and it is in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures.

Think about it

There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.

Did you know? — Mount Fuji has about 100 smaller side volcanoes on its slopes.
Next steps
About this page
Height and prefectures: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, “Main mountain heights of Japan” (Japanese)
Volcano facts: Japan Meteorological Agency, “Fujisan” (Japanese), “Volcanic activity in recorded history” (Japanese)
World Heritage: Agency for Cultural Affairs, “World Heritage in Japan” (Japanese), Fujisan World Cultural Heritage Council
Written by CCN CO., LTD.
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