No.1：Mt. Fuji, 5th Station
Straddling Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Mt. Fuji is a
widely-known symbol of Japan. At 3,773 meters, Mount Fuji is
Japan’s tallest mountain. “Station (gome)” is the unit
representing one tenth of the length from the trail entrance
to the top. The fifth station Mt. Fuji is the fifth point
from the base at the height of 2,305 meter. Being the end of
the Fuji Subaru Line toll road and the highest point that
general cars can reach, the place attracts a large number of
tourists. Many climbers come here by car and walk the trail
ahead to the top.
There is an observatory near the rotary at the 5th Station.
From the observatory you can see below Komitake Shrine, an
ancient place for prayer that has been visited by
worshippers and disciplinant, and Yamanaka-ko, the largest
lake among the five Fuji lakes, for example. A trail called
Ochudo near the observatory is a hiking trail forming a
circle around the middle of Mt. Fuji. Walk Ochudo about an
hour and you will reach Oniwa that is popular for an awesome
view. At the end of Ochudo, there is Satomidaira that
commands a full view of Kawaguchi-ko, Yamanaka-ko and the
Japan Alps.
No.2: Oshino Hakkai Springs
Mt. Fuji World Cultural Heritage Site Asset (registered in
June 2013) revered as the "spring of the gods" since long
ago, many legends have been told about this site. There are
eight springs at Oshino Hakkai Springs. At one time, what we
now know as Oshino-mura used to be a lake. Mt. Fuji erupted
many times, gradually filling the space between Fujisusono
and Mt. Misaka. This abraded and drained the area so that,
over long period of time, the lake finally dried up.
However, some springs that received water from Mt. Fuji's
underground water reservoir remained.
Oshino Hakkai is one of the representatives of those
springs. Since the water quality, water volume, safety of
the water (for drinking), and visual appeal were highly
rated, the Environment Agency (current Ministry of the
Environment) included it in its National Top 100 Spring
Waters in 1985. It was also nationally recognized as a
natural monument. Additionally, Oshino Hakkai Springs and
the surrounding area feature a beautiful landscape that
includes Mt. Fuji, making it a popular place for photography
enthusiasts.
No.3: The Shiraito Falls
The Shiraito Falls is a waterfall in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka
Prefecture, near Mount Fuji, Japan. It is part of
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and has been protected since
1936 as a Japanese Natural Monument. The falls were regarded
as sacred under the Fuji cult. Another waterfall, the
Otodome Falls is approximately a five-minute walk away.
The Shiraito Falls is listed as one of "Japan’s Top 100
Waterfalls", in a listing published by the Japanese Ministry
of the Environment in 1990. It was also selected by the
Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun and Osaka Mainichi Shimbun. As one
of the 100 Landscapes of Japan in 1927. In 2013 the
waterfall was added to the World Heritage List as part of
the Fujisan Cultural Site.
No. 4: Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha
The Fujisan Hongengen Taishaural Site.
ki/World_Heritage_List" \o "World Heritage List" 100
Landscapes of Japan (Shōwaichinomiya of former Suruga
Province, and is the head shrine of the 1300 Asama or Sengen
shrines in the country. The shrine has an extensive location
within downtown Fujinomiya; in addition, the entire top of
Mount Fuji from the 8th stage upwards is considered to be
part of the shrine grounds.
The foundation of the Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha predates
the historical period. Per shrine tradition, it was
established in reign of Emperor Suinin, with the shrine
first built on its current location during the reign of
Emperor Keikō. This was a period of intense volcanic
activity on Mount Fuji, and the shrine was built in order to
appease the kami of the mountain. The shrine is mentioned in
accounts of the legendary hero Yamato Takeru as well. The
entire mountain was off-limits for religious reasons, except
for Shugendō monks noted for the asceticism.