National Parks · Shizuoka, Yamanashi, Kanagawa, Tokyo
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
富士箱根伊豆国立公園ふじはこねいずこくりつこうえんFuji-Hakone-Izu Kokuritsu KōenA volcanic chain from Japan's highest summit to the open Pacific
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park stretches from Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak at 3,776 m, through the hot-spring caldera of Hakone and the Izu Peninsula to the volcanic Izu Islands far out in the Pacific. Designated in 1936 and enlarged in 1955 and 1964, it is a park of volcanoes in every form and one of the most visited in Japan.
Overview
Fuji-Hakone-Izu is a string of volcanic landscapes south-west of Tokyo. In the north stands Mount Fuji, the symmetrical cone that is Japan's highest mountain and national symbol, ringed by the Fuji Five Lakes and the lava forests of Aokigahara. To its south-east lies Hakone, a caldera of hot springs, fumaroles and Lake Ashi. Further south the Izu Peninsula, a volcanic block that collided with Honshu, offers mountains, rocky coasts and onsen towns, and beyond it the Izu Islands run far into the Pacific.
First designated in 1936 as Fuji-Hakone National Park, it gained the Izu Peninsula in 1955 and the Izu Islands in 1964. Its proximity to Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya makes it one of the most visited national parks in Japan, and much of its land is intensively used: resort towns, farmland and roads mix with protected forest and summit wilderness.
Fuji's cultural importance is equal to its natural fame. The mountain has been worshipped for centuries, climbed by pilgrims and painted by artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, and in 2013 it was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a cultural site.
Landscape and formation
Mount Fuji is a young stratovolcano built over the last 100,000 years on top of older volcanoes. Its lavas and ash reach far beyond the park: the Aokigahara forest grows on lava from the Jōgan eruption of 864–866, which also divided an older lake into Lake Sai and Lake Shōji. The Hōei eruption of 1707 blew out a large crater on the south-eastern flank, still visible as Hōei-zan. Spring water filtered through Fuji's lavas emerges at Oshino Hakkai, Shiraito Falls and Kakitagawa.
Hakone is a caldera volcano whose central cones include Kami-yama (1,438 m); a steam explosion and landslide some 3,000 years ago dammed Lake Ashi and formed the steaming valley of Ōwakudani. The Izu Peninsula was a volcanic island on the Philippine Sea plate that collided with Honshu around 600,000 years ago; its east coast has young monogenetic volcanoes such as Ōmuro-yama, whose lava formed the cliffs of Jōgasaki. The Izu Islands, including Izu Ōshima, Miyake-jima and Hachijō-jima, are active volcanoes that erupt every few decades.
Highlights
- 富士山Fuji-san
Japan's highest mountain (3,776 m), climbed by great numbers of people in the short summer season, and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
- 富士五湖Fuji Goko
Lakes Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Sai, Shōji and Motosu on Fuji's northern foot, famous for reflections of the mountain.
- 芦ノ湖Ashi-no-ko
A caldera lake in Hakone with Hakone Shrine's torii at the water's edge and views of Fuji on clear days.
Ōwakudani
大涌谷ŌwakudaniA steaming volcanic valley on Kami-yama, known for eggs blackened in its hot springs.
- 白糸ノ滝Shiraito-no-taki
A curtain of spring water pouring from Fuji's lava layers near Fujinomiya, part of the Fujisan World Heritage Site.
Jōgasaki Coast
城ヶ崎海岸Jōgasaki kaiganLava cliffs from Ōmuro-yama on the east coast of Izu, with a suspension bridge over the surf.
Izu Ōshima
伊豆大島Izu ŌshimaThe largest of the Izu Islands, with the active Mihara-yama and the black desert of Ura-sabaku.
Nature
Ecology
The park spans altitudes from sea level to almost 3,800 m and climates from warm-temperate to alpine. On Fuji, forest zones rise from broadleaf woods through fir and hemlock to larch and a treeline at about 2,500 m; above lie volcanic deserts slowly being colonised by pioneer plants. The Aokigahara forest is a rare example of forest on young lava, growing on thin soils with moss-covered rocks.
The Izu Peninsula and the islands have warm, maritime climates with evergreen laurel forest, camellias and coastal plants. The Izu Islands hold endemic birds and subspecies, such as the Izu thrush, and important seabird colonies: Mikura-jima has one of the largest streaked shearwater colonies in the world, and its waters are known for resident bottlenose dolphins.
Flora
Fuji cherry
フジザクラFuji-zakuraA small wild cherry (Prunus incisa) of the Fuji and Hakone foothills, flowering in April and May.
Aokigahara forest
青木ヶ原樹海Aokigahara jukaiDense conifer and broadleaf forest on the 9th-century lava of Fuji's north-west flank.
Tigertail spruce forest of Oshino
忍野のハリモミ純林Oshino no harimomi junrinA rare pure stand of tigertail spruce on lava near Lake Yamanaka, a Natural Monument.
Amagi primeval forest
天城山原生林Amagi-san gensei-rinBeech and Japanese stewartia forest on the Amagi mountains, with azalea communities.
Camellia
ヤブツバキyabu-tsubakiWild camellias cover Izu Ōshima and flower from winter into spring; the island produces camellia oil.
Fauna
Japanese dormouse
ヤマネyamaneA small nocturnal rodent of the Fuji forests, protected as a Natural Monument.
Izu thrush
アカコッコakakokkoA thrush that breeds mainly on the Izu Islands, notably Miyake-jima.
Japanese wood pigeon
カラスバトkarasubatoA dark pigeon of island laurel forests.
Streaked shearwater
オオミズナギドリōmizunagidoriBreeds in huge numbers on Mikura-jima.
Bottlenose dolphins of Mikura-jima
A resident population around Mikura-jima, where regulated swimming tours take place.
Culture
Mount Fuji has been revered as the dwelling of the fire deity and, later, of the goddess Konohanasakuya-hime, enshrined at Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha in Fujinomiya and at Sengen shrines around the mountain. Ascetics climbed it from the Heian period, and in the Edo period Fuji-kō confraternities made mass pilgrimages from Edo, building miniature Fujis in the city for those who could not travel. Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji fixed its image worldwide.
Hakone was a key station on the Tōkaidō highway, where the shogunate's checkpoint controlled travel between Edo and Kyoto; the reconstructed Hakone Sekisho and stretches of cedar-lined stone road survive. The Izu Peninsula has inspired literature, from Kawabata Yasunari's The Dancing Girl of Izu, set on the Amagi Pass, to its many onsen towns.
- 富士山本宮浅間大社Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha
The head shrine of the Sengen shrines, in Fujinomiya, which also owns Fuji's summit above the eighth station.
Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja
北口本宮冨士浅間神社Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen JinjaThe shrine at the start of the Yoshida trail in Fujiyoshida, in a forest of giant cedars.
Hakone Checkpoint
箱根関所Hakone SekishoA reconstruction of the Edo-period barrier on the Tōkaidō at the shore of Lake Ashi.
Hakone Shrine
箱根神社Hakone-jinjaAn ancient shrine in the cedar forest by Lake Ashi, with its 'Torii of Peace' standing in the water.
Oshino Hakkai
忍野八海Oshino HakkaiEight spring-fed ponds of Fuji's filtered snowmelt, formerly used for pilgrims' purification.
History
864–866
The Jōgan eruption of Fuji creates the lava field later covered by the Aokigahara forest.
1619
The Hakone checkpoint is established on the Tōkaidō.
1707
The Hōei eruption, Fuji's most recent, spreads ash over Edo.
1936
Fuji-Hakone National Park is designated on 1 February.
1952
Mount Fuji is designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
1955
The Izu Peninsula is added and the park is renamed Fuji-Hakone-Izu.
1964
The Izu Islands are incorporated into the park.
1986
An eruption of Mihara-yama forces the evacuation of all residents of Izu Ōshima.
2000
An eruption on Miyake-jima leads to an island-wide evacuation lasting more than four years.
2013
Fujisan is inscribed as a cultural World Heritage Site.
2018
The Izu Peninsula becomes a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Through the seasons
Spring
Cherry blossom around the Fuji Five Lakes in April, Fuji cherries on the foothills and camellias on Izu Ōshima; Fuji is often hazy.
Summer
The Fuji climbing season from July to early September; hydrangeas in Hakone and beaches and diving on the Izu coast and islands.
Autumn
Colours around the Fuji lakes and Hakone in November; the first snow caps Fuji in late September or October.
Winter
The clearest views of snow-capped Fuji; Izu's mild climate brings early plum and Kawazu cherry blossom in February.
Routes and trails
Yoshida Trail up Mount Fuji
The most popular route from the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station on the Yamanashi side, with huts along the way; usually climbed overnight to see sunrise.
Fujinomiya Trail
The shortest route, from the highest 5th station on the Shizuoka side, reaching the summit near the Sengen shrine's inner sanctuary.
Hakone loop
A classic circuit by mountain railway, cable car, ropeway over Ōwakudani and boat across Lake Ashi.
Old Tōkaidō in Hakone
A walk on the Edo-period stone-paved highway from Hatajuku to Moto-Hakone.
Jōgasaki coastal path
A path along the lava cliffs of the Izu east coast, crossing the Kadowaki suspension bridge.
Mihara-yama crater walk
A walk around the summit crater of Izu Ōshima's active volcano.
Practical notes
- Fuji Five Lakes and Fuji's 5th stations are reached by highway bus from Shinjuku or by the Fuji Kyūkō Line; Hakone by the Odakyū line to Hakone-Yumoto; Izu by the Tōkaidō Shinkansen to Atami and Mishima; the Izu Islands by ferry or jetfoil from Tokyo and by small aircraft.
- Fuji's summit is cold and can be windy and icy even in August; altitude sickness is common. Climbing outside the season is strongly discouraged.
- Mount Fuji, Hakone, Izu Ōshima and Miyake-jima are monitored active volcanoes; volcanic gas may close parts of Ōwakudani or Miyake-jima.
- Traffic around Hakone and the Fuji lakes is heavy on weekends and holidays; public transport passes are practical alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
When can Mount Fuji be climbed?
The official climbing season on the four main trails runs roughly from early July to early September. Outside it, the mountain is snow-covered and dangerous. Registration, fees and access limits apply on some trails; see the official Fuji climbing sites of Yamanashi and Shizuoka before going.
Is Mount Fuji an active volcano?
Yes. Its last eruption was the Hōei eruption of 1707, which covered Edo (Tokyo) in ash. The Japan Meteorological Agency monitors it continuously.
Why are the Izu Islands part of the same park as Mount Fuji?
They lie on the same volcanic chain, the Izu-Bonin arc, which runs south from Fuji and Hakone through the Izu Peninsula into the Pacific. The islands were added to the park in 1964.
Where is the best view of Mount Fuji?
Classic viewpoints include Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Motosu, the Chūrei-tō pagoda at Fujiyoshida, Lake Ashi in Hakone and the west coast of Izu. Fuji is most often clear on winter mornings.
Is Mount Fuji a natural or a cultural World Heritage Site?
A cultural one. UNESCO inscribed Fujisan in 2013 as a sacred place and source of artistic inspiration, including shrines, lakes, springs and the Miho no Matsubara pine beach, rather than for its natural features.
Related
Sources
- 1.富士箱根伊豆国立公園 (opens in a new tab) — 環境省
- 2.国立公園の概要 (opens in a new tab) — 環境省
- 3.Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (opens in a new tab) — Ministry of the Environment, Japan
- 4.Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration (opens in a new tab) — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- 5.伊豆半島ジオパーク (opens in a new tab) — 伊豆半島ジオパーク推進協議会