Mount Fuji's snowcapped peak can be seen for miles in almost any direction. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images )
Japan’s volcanic geography blends modern society with rustic mountainous regions, many of which lie west of the famous metropolis of Tokyo. Attracting sightseers and climbing enthusiasts alike, these mountains often welcome more international visitors than do other less-urban areas of Japan, making travel easier for the English-speaking tourist.
Mount Fuji is the most famous and certainly the most iconic mountain in Japan. Just over 62 miles west of Tokyo and standing at more than 12,000 feet, the volcanic mountain has been a frequent subject of Japanese paintings and poetry dating back to ancient times. The mountain is surrounded by the Fuji Five Lakes, and visitors can view the peak at almost every angle from a distance. Mount Fuji towers over the surrounding cities and can be seen from Tokyo on clear days. The mountain is part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which stretches from the mountain across Hakone and the Izu Islands. Although Mount Fuji hasn’t erupted since 1707, researchers speculate the massive 2011 Tohoku earthquake may have built up enough pressure within the mountain to cause an eruption in the near future.
Mount Takao, 31 miles to the west of Tokyo, is a popular destination for locals. Its close proximity to the city makes it an excellent choice for a day trip, and hikers can choose from several well-maintained trails. Each of the eight trails highlights a unique feature of the mountain, such as special plants or wildlife; one trail is a direct route to the Buddhist Yakuoin Temple, near the top of the mountain. For a fee, visitors also can ride a cable car or a two-person lift halfway up the mountain; discounts are available for children, groups of 25 or more and disabled guests.
Located in Gifu Prefecture, approximately 170 miles west Tokyo, Mount Kinka is best known for the reproduction of Gifu Castle that stands atop the mountain. The castle, first erected in 1200, was seized by the famous warlord Oda Nobunaga in 1567. It changed hands numerous times over the centuries until it was firebombed and destroyed during World War II. Rebuilt in the 1950s, the castle features an observation deck that provides a panoramic view of Gifu City below. For an easy trip to Mount Kinka’s summit, visitors can take a three-minute ride in a cable car. A 100-seat restaurant and squirrel park welcome tourists at the end of the ride on the mountain’s peak.
The Japanese Alps is a collection of mountains that stretch across the Nagano, Gifu and Hida prefectures, with its highest peaks in Nagano. Several of these mountains have especially distinctive features that attract sightseers. For example, Mount Yake is an active volcano, and Mount Okuhotaka is the third-tallest mountain peak in Japan at just over 10,400 feet high.
Kamikochi is a famous basin and central hub for many mountains in the Nagano area; hikers and mountain climbers enjoy its picturesque lakes formed from volcanic eruptions. From here you can take marked hiking trails up Mount Hotaka, Choga and Yake.
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