Mount Fuji, Japan's iconic peak, is often the first image that comes to mind when thinking of the land of the rising sun. Standing tall at 3,776 meters and stretching across Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, Mount Fuji is not only Japan's tallest peak, but also a powerful symbol in various contexts. In this article, we delve into the story behind 'Mount Fuji Day' - a special memorial day dedicated to this majestic mountain.
Culture
Jan 31. 2025
【Japanese Culture】What is Special About February 23rd? The Origins and Key Events of 'Mount Fuji Day'
Mount Fuji as a Cultural Symbol
In 2013, Mount Fuji was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site - "Mount Fuji - Object of Faith and Source of Art". True to the name "Source of Art", Mount Fuji has provided inspiration to many artists and has been depicted as a symbol in numerous masterpieces.
Mount Fuji Depicted in Ukiyo-e
One notable example is Katsushika Hokusai's renowned ukiyo-e series, 'Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji' (富嶽三十六景), created during the Edo period, which remains one of the most iconic representations of the mountain. The image of Mount Fuji seen beyond the sea with large white waves (神奈川沖浪裏 - 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa') and the figure of Mount Fuji glowing red (凱風快晴 - 'Fine Wind, Clear Morning') are images that anyone who has come into contact with Japanese culture would have seen at least once.
Mount Fuji in Japanese Literature
Mount Fuji has not only been a muse for artists but has also frequently appeared in literary works. An example from modern times is the story of 'Princess Kaguya,' which is based on 'The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter' and includes Mount Fuji in its conclusion. Additionally, renowned novelist Osamu Dazai wrote a short story titled 'One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji' (富嶽百景).
Mount Fuji Across Japan
(c) Tottori Pref
Across Japan, there's a tradition of affectionately referring to famous mountains with the 'Fuji' suffix, a practice known as 'Hometown Fuji' or 'Furusato Fuji.' For instance, Daisen, the towering peak in Tottori Prefecture, is often called 'Hoki Fuji,' named after Hoki - the historical name for the western part of the prefecture.
Mount Fuji Depicted on Banknotes
As a cultural symbol, Mount Fuji is featured in something that everyone living in Japan will come into contact with at least once in their lifetime - Japanese banknotes. For example, the peak can be spotted on the back of the 1,000 yen note (which has been in circulation since 2004 and features a portrait of the physician Noguchi Hideyo on the front, printed in blue). Also, on the back of the new 1,000 yen note issue in 2024, Mount Fuji (this time, as depicted in Katsushika Hokusai's 'Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji') continues to be featured in the design.
February 23rd is 'Mount Fuji Day'
Did you know that in Japan, there is a designated day known as 'Mount Fuji Day'? This commemorative day was established by the "Shizuoka Prefecture Mount Fuji Day Ordinance" enacted by Shizuoka Prefecture in 2009, and the "Yamanashi Prefecture Mount Fuji Day Ordinance" enacted by Yamanashi Prefecture in 2011. In both ordinances,'Mount Fuji Day' is set as February 23rd.
While the date of February 23rd is the same, there is also a 'Mount Fuji Day' established by organizations other than these two prefectures. According to the Japan Anniversary Association, a group called 'Forum of Mountain Views and Maps', which conducts activities themed around Mount Fuji, such as reporting the visibility of Mount Fuji nationwide online, has also designated February 23rd as 'Mount Fuji Day'. This is due to the play on words of reading "2" and "23" as "Fuji-san" (Mount Fuji) in Japanese, and the fact that Mount Fuji can be well observed during this period.
Let’s explain the reading of the number combination 223, which corresponds to February 23, as 'Fujisan.' In Japan, there's a practice called 'Goroawase' (number wordplay or mnemonic sounds), where sounds from the Japanese syllabary are assigned to numbers from 0 to 9 (or even to multiples like 10 or 100). This allows specific number sequences to be associated with words formed by the sounds assigned to those numbers. In the case of 223, the number 2 can be read as 'ni,' 'fu,' 'ji,' or 'tsu' (from 'Two'), and 3 can be read as 'mi,' 'sa,' or 'san.' So, 2-2-3 can be read as 'fu,' 'ji,' 'san,' which corresponds to 'Fujisan.
In addition to Mount Fuji Day, there are many commemorative days that have been established through 'Goroawas'". The technique is also used in history classes at school to memorize the year when an event occurred, or to set an easy-to-remember password, making it a widespread practice in Japan.
Event Information for February 23rd 'Mount Fuji Day'
In Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures, which are straddled by Mount Fuji, the 'Mount Fuji Day Festa' was held on February 23, 2023 and 2024, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the World Heritage registration in 2023 (an event is also scheduled for February 23, 2025). In 2023, the governors of both Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures attended, and the 'Mount Fuji World Heritage Registration 10th Anniversary Year Opening Ceremony' was held, along with performances of plays.
Part of the 'Mount Fuji Day Festival' included a special event at various locations, including the Yamanashi Prefectural Mount Fuji World Heritage Center, where 3,776 rice balls were distributed for free to the local community in honor of Mount Fuji's 3,776m height. Additionally, at the World Heritage Center, Mount Fuji Day events featured a 'Mount Fuji Day Quiz Rally,' the sale of exclusive 'Fujiyama △ Crepes,' a 'Fujisan △ Yoga' experience, and a workshop to create 'Fujisan Tin Badges.'
Official website (Japanese): https://fujisannohifest.com/
Celebrating More Than Mount Fuji: Other Mountain Anniversaries, Including 'Mountain Day'
Mount Fuji Day' is designated as an optional commemoration day, but in Japan, every August 11th is 'Mountain Day', which is a national holiday. Mountain Day, as stated in Article 2 of Japan's 'Act on National Holidays,' is a chance to "connect with the mountains and celebrate their abundant blessings". Since 2016, the 'Mountain Day' National Convention has been held each year by the General Incorporated Foundation National Mountain Day Council. The event celebrates the richness of Japan’s mountains, which cover 70% of the country’s land, and highlights the activities of the people shaped by them, while promoting appreciation and preservation for future generations. The 8th convention was held in Tokyo in 2024.
Lastly: Ways to Appreciate Mount Fuji from a Distance
By now, you can likely see why Mount Fuji, deeply intertwined with Japanese culture, has its own commemorative day on February 23rd. Even if visiting the mountain in person is challenging, you'd surely want to catch a glimpse of it whenever you pass by.
If you're flying east-west within Japan, we recommend checking the Japan Airlines (JAL) site 'Which side is Mount Fuji?' (富士山どっち？) and the All Nippon Airways (ANA) site 'Which side can you see Mount Fuji?' (富士山 どっち側で見られる？) ahead of time. These sites show which side of the plane offers a view of Mount Fuji (Japanese page only).
Additionally, when traveling east-west on the Tokaido Shinkansen, you can catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji from the left side of the train when heading from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo, and from the right side when traveling from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka. Find out more in the article below, where you'll also find tips on saving money when using the Shinkansen!
Contents Source
This information is sourced by Fun Japan Communications Co., Ltd.
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