The Majesty of Mount Fuji!

Before it Erupts: The Majesty of Mount Fuji!

Researchers think that Mount Fuji will erupt once more before 2015. Being as the giant volcano is one of the most stunning places on earth, we should enjoy its beauty as long as we can. The famous mountain can be found on Honshu island, but its height of 3,776 meters (12,389 feet), the gargantuan volcano can be seen from many a beautiful place in Japan.

This is a perfect shot of the mountain as seen from a gorgeous field of green tea.

This must be how superman must see the sunrise, high above the surface. This is a sunrise as experienced from the summit of mount Fuji. The mountain was thought to have been first climbed 1400 years ago by a monk no one knows the name of. Women were not allowed to climb the sacred mountain and reach its summit. Today, about 300k brave climbers make it to the summit each year.

A photo of mount Fuji from much higher up - the international space station.

Navy planes in formation in front of a snow-capped Fuji.

Ironically, the name of the mountain in the Ainu language (spoken by the native Japanese) means: "Everlasting Life". Why ironically? Because in the foothills there lies the Aokigahara forest, a place where troubled souls in Japan go to end their life.

Some estimate that up to 100 bodies are found in the forest of Aokigahara every year.

Seeing the majestic mount Fuji from lake Yamanaka, one of Mount Fuji's 5 lakes.

Lucky passengers on this bullet train have hours to view and contemplate the mountain.

An autumn night across the lake.

What can be more beautiful than to watch the cherry bloom with the mountain behind them?

Paragliders take off in the vicinity of the fifth station Gotemba parking lot, between Subashiri and Hōei-zan peak on the south side from the Mountain, in addition to several other locations depending on wind direction. Several paragliding schools use the wide sandy/grassy slope between Gotenba and Subashiri parking lots as a training hill.

A purple mountain seen from a sea of purple flowers.

Fuji mountain is actually three volcanoes, one lying on top of the other. Beneath Fuji is Kofuji, and beneath the Kofuji volcano is the original Komitake volcano.

Seeing something beautiful from something beautiful. Stunning shot of mount Fuji from the Shibazakura Flower Festival.

Mount Fuji as seen from the urban environment of Tokyo civic center.

An army helicopter flies near the summit of the giant volcano.

The orange sun crown mount Fuji with fire.

Seeing the giant in the distance from Lake Ashi.

Sunrise over Lake Shojiko, the smallest of Fuji's 5 lakes.

Those who manage the arduous and dangerous task of reaching the summit of the monstrous mountain, can embed coins in the Tori gate posts at the summit.

An old hut showered with gold leaves up in the mountain.

The Japanese say: "A wise man climbs Fuji once, and a fool twice.". We don't know if that's true, but that is a sight to see and remember for a lifetime.

And we'll close with another shot from space of Mount Fuji. Will it really erupt in the next few years and sow destruction? We hope not.