Kids Web Japan

Q. What is the highest mountain in Japan?

Mt. Fuji, Japan's tallest peak at 3,776 meters.

A.

Three-fourths of Japan is covered by mountains, and tall mountain ranges run roughly through the center of the Japanese archipelago like a spine.

In central Honshu, Japan's main island, rises the majestic Japan Alps, a chain of mountains reaching 3,000 meters (approximately 9,800 feet) high. Between the Japan Alps and Tokyo lies Mt. Fuji, a beautiful, conical peak that is the country's tallest mountain at 3,776 meters (12,390 feet). It slopes very gently toward the foot, however, and the entire area around the base is a national park.

In the summer many people climb to the top of Mt. Fuji. Even in July and August, temperatures at the mountaintop reach only around 5 to 6 degrees Celsius (41 to 43 degrees Fahrenheit).

In 2013, Mt. Fuji "Fujisan" was inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List for its significant influence on culture and art, not only in Japan but also throughout the world.