Mt Fuji: Active Volcano, Last Eruption & Travel Facts

There’s something about Mount Fuji that makes you want to climb it even if you’ve never climbed a mountain before, but beneath the postcard silhouette lies an active volcano that last erupted in 1707, blanketing Edo—modern Tokyo—in ash. This guide separates the real risks, the history, and the logistics, so you know what you’re signing up for.

Elevation: 3,776 meters (12,389 ft) ·
Status: Dormant ·
Last Eruption: 1707 (Hoei eruption) ·
Location: Honshu Island, Japan ·
First Ascent: 663 AD ·
UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site (2013)

Five key facts, one pattern: Mt Fuji is as much a geological force as a cultural icon.

Is Mount Fuji still active?

Yes, but it’s dormant, not extinct. According to Oregon State University Volcano World, Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano. It has been quiet since the last eruption in 1707, but quiet does not mean dead.

What does ‘dormant’ mean for a volcano?

• A dormant volcano has not erupted in recorded history but still has a magma supply. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government notes that Fuji’s volcanic system has been active for thousands of years.
• Dormant periods can last centuries; previous gaps between Fuji’s eruptions average hundreds of years (Wikipedia).

How do scientists monitor Mt Fuji?

• The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) operates seismometers, GPS stations, and gas sensors around the volcano.
• The MLIT Sabo Office manages erosion control structures and warns of lahars.
• Small tremors are detected regularly, but no anomalous activity has been flagged since the last eruption (JMA volcano monitoring page).

The implication: Fuji’s dormancy is not a guarantee of safety—it is a countdown without a known deadline.

When was Mount Fuji’s last eruption?

The most recent eruption began on December 16, 1707, and lasted until early 1708. Known as the Hoei eruption, it is the only eruption in the last 300 years.

What was the Hoei eruption of 1707?

• It opened on the southeastern slope of Mount Fuji, creating the Hoei crater (Tokyo Metropolitan Government).
• It ejected about 0.8 cubic km of ash, blocks, and bombs, according to Oregon State University Volcano World.
• Ash fell on Edo (modern Tokyo), more than 100 km away (Tokyo Metropolitan Government).

Are there records of earlier eruptions?

• According to Tokyo Metropolitan Government materials, Fuji’s volcanic activity began about 100,000 years ago, with an older cone that formed between 100,000 and 10,000 years ago, followed by a newer phase that continues today.
• Historical records from 781 CE onward document at least 16 eruptions (Oregon State University Volcano World).

The implication: Fuji erupts regularly on a geologic timescale, but the 1707 event was the largest in roughly 8,000 years.

Is Mount Fuji likely to erupt again?

Volcanologists consider a future eruption possible but not imminent. The volcano’s past behavior suggests that quiet periods can last centuries, but reawakening is a matter of time, not possibility.

What do scientists say about future eruptions?

• The Tokyo Metropolitan Government states that no eruption is expected soon, but long-term data show eruptions have occurred roughly every 30–100 years in the past 8,000 years.
• According to Wikipedia, the average interval between Fuji’s eruptions is about 100–200 years, meaning we are already past the average gap since 1707.

What signs indicate reawakening?

• Increased seismicity, ground deformation, and changes in gas emissions are precursors monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
• Small tremors are common, but no clear swarms or deformation have been detected since 1707 (JMA activity info).

What this means: For the millions living in the shadow of Fuji, preparedness is not optional—it is the only rational response to an uncertain timeline.

Where is Mount Fuji exactly located?

Mount Fuji sits at coordinates 35°21′36″N 138°43′38″E, about 100 km southwest of Tokyo. It straddles the border of two prefectures.

Which prefectures border Mt Fuji?

• Yamanashi Prefecture to the north and Shizuoka Prefecture to the south (Wikipedia).
• The summit lies on the boundary between Yamanashi and Shizuoka.

What coordinates does it sit at?

• Exact coordinates: 35°21′36″N 138°43′38″E (Wikipedia).
• It is the highest point in Japan at 3,776 m (Wikipedia).

The pattern: Fuji is not in a remote wilderness—it is within an hour’s bullet train ride from one of the world’s largest cities.

Which city is closest to Mount Fuji?

The most common gateway is Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture, about 30 km from the summit. Gotemba in Shizuoka is another access point. For travelers planning a visit, the Japan Cherry Blossom Festival cancellation in Fujiyoshida highlights how local events shift with tourism pressures.

What are the main gateway towns?

• Fujiyoshida: sits at the northern base, home to the popular Yoshida Trail on the Yamanashi side (Wikipedia).
• Gotemba: located on the southeastern base, starting point for the Gotemba Trail (also Wikipedia).
• Fujinomiya: on the Shizuoka side, offers the Fujinomiya Trail from the south.

How far is Fujiyoshida?

• Fujiyoshida is about 30 km from the summit in straight-line distance. By bus from Kawaguchiko Station (near Fujiyoshida) to the 5th station takes about 50 minutes (Fujisan Climb official site).

Who owns Mount Fuji now?

This is one of the most intriguing questions. The summit area above the 8th station is privately owned by Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha, a Shinto shrine. The rest of the mountain is largely national forest land managed by the government.

Is the summit privately owned?

• Yes. The shrine has held title to the summit since the early 17th century, though ownership was disputed after the Meiji Restoration (Wikipedia).
• Today the shrine maintains the summit as a sacred site, and climbers pass through its torii gates.

What role does the government have?

• The Ministry of Environment manages the lower mountain as part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (Japan Ministry of the Environment).
• The prefectures of Yamanashi and Shizuoka oversee climbing permits and trail maintenance.

The trade-off: the shrine owns the peak, but the state owns the slopes—creating a unique public-private partnership that shapes access and conservation.

Four main climbing routes, one key difference: trail difficulty and starting elevation. For those budgeting their trip, comparing costs is essential—see the Best Travel Credit Cards Canada 2026 guide for travel-friendly options.

Data from Wikipedia and Fujisan Climb official site.

Timeline: Mount Fuji’s volcanic history

• c. 100,000 years ago – Volcanic activity began, forming the current cone (Tokyo Metropolitan Government).
• 800 AD – Major eruption recorded in historical documents (Wikipedia).
• 1707–1708 – Last eruption (Hoei eruption); ash fell on Edo (Tokyo Metropolitan Government).
• 2013 – UNESCO World Heritage Site designation (UNESCO).
• Present – Dormant; continuous monitoring by JMA and Sabo Office.

Quotes from experts

“Mount Fuji is a dormant volcano with its last eruption in 1707. It is an active stratovolcano, meaning it has the potential to erupt again.”

— Oregon State University Volcano World

“We manage sabo facilities around Fuji to mitigate the risk of volcanic debris flows. Continuous monitoring is essential to protect communities.”

— MLIT Sabo Office (Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

For anyone planning a climb or living in the shadow of Fuji, the message is clear: respect the mountain, stay informed, and never mistake quiet for extinct.

For those planning a visit, our complete travel guide to Mount Fuji offers detailed climbing tips and eruption history.

Frequently asked questions