Is Mount Fuji a Mountain or a Volcano? It's Both.

Mount Fuji is simultaneously a mountain and a volcano—specifically, a classic stratovolcano (or composite volcano). Its iconic, near-perfect conical shape is the result of repeated eruptions building layers of hardened lava, ash, and volcanic rock.

Key Characteristics

• Elevation: 3,776 m (12,389 ft) — Japan's highest peak
• Type: Dormant stratovolcano
• Last Eruption: 1707–1708 (Hōei eruption)
• Composition: Alternating layers of basaltic lava, andesite, and volcanic ash
• Status: Monitored as potentially active

Cultural and Natural Significance

Mount Fuji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a sacred symbol in Japanese culture, inspiring centuries of art, poetry, and pilgrimage. Over 300,000 people climb it annually during the official summer season.

Its volcanic nature also shapes the surrounding landscape—the Fuji Five Lakes, the Aokigahara forest, and numerous hot springs—all fed by its geologic legacy.