The beautiful snow capped, cone shaped Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 12,390 feet. It is an active volcano having first erupted about 8000-10,000 years ago with it last eruption occurring in 1708. Mt. Fuji is a well known symbol of Japan and a common subject of Japanese art and photography. It is the holiest mountain in Japan and sacred to and worshiped by Shintoists and Buddhists. Its name is derived from the Buddhist fire goddess Fuchi. The shrine for the Shinto goddess Sengen-Sama is located at the top of Mt. Fuji. Until about 100 years ago Mt. Fuji was considered so sacred that only priests and religious pilgrims were allowed to climb it. Now anyone can climb it but just during July and August when there is no snow on it. The upper part of Mt. Fuji is made of loose volcanic ash without any vegetation or bodies of water. On a clear day Mt. Fuji can be seen from Tokyo. (See a few earlier photos showing Mt. Fuji from Tokyo.)
The Hakone area (including Moto-Hakone), famous for its natural beauty and hot springs, and Lake Ashi are visited by many international travelers and Japanese looking to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities, such as Tokyo.
Owakudani is an active volcanic valley with sulfurous steam vents (fumes), hot springs and hot rivers. Owakudani was created around a crater after the last eruption of Mt. Hakone about 3000 years ago. Steam vents and bubbling pools of water are seen from the walking trail and the smell of sulfur is in the air. Eggs cooked in the naturally hot water of Owakudani can be purchased. Their shells are blackened by sulfurous fumes. Each consumed blackened egg ("Kuro-Tamago") supposedly prolongs one's life by seven years. It is advised not to eat more than two and a half of these blackened eggs.
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