Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 12,389 feet. Its exceptionally symmetrical cone, snow-capped several months a year, is a well-known symbol of Japan and is frequently depicted in art, photography, literature, and poetry. “Fuji” means “without equal.” The mountain, and especially the summit, is considered sacred and draws thousands of Japanese each year who make the pilgrimage to the top. Legend teaches that one who climbs through the night and witnesses the sunrise from the summit of Mt. Fuji, calls out three times, “Bonzai, Bonzai, Bonzai,” will receive 10,000 years of prosperity. Sunrise, in Japanese, is “Goraiko,” and means the honorable coming of the light. The Mt. Fuji area is a Japanese national park and encompasses the Fuji Five Lakes.

Knoxville, Tennessee · United States