Over 90 kilometres southwest of Tokyo stands one of Japan"s cultural icons: Mount Fuji. The country"s tallest mountain rises more than 3,500 metres above the surrounding landscape, with its near-symmetrical cone covered in snow for nearly five months each year. For centuries, Fujisan—as it is known in Japanese—has been worshiped as a sacred mountain. In the Shinto faith, Fuji is deified as Asama no Okami, and shrines dedicated to it are built within sight of the mountain. February 23 is celebrated as Mount Fuji Day (富士山の日) because the word "Fujisan" can be interpreted as "2, 2, 3." Although it"s not a national holiday, people often take the opportunity to learn more about this majestic peak. It"s also a day to reflect on the future of the mountain, and how it can be preserved for future generations. Every year, more than 300,000 people climb Mount Fuji, and overtourism has become a real concern.
Mount Fuji Day
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Love is in the snow
-
South Stack Lighthouse, Holyhead, Wales, UK
-
Autumn in Central Park, New York, United States
-
A curious little otter pup
-
Where fire and water meet
-
It’s puffling season!
-
The ‘eighth wonder’?
-
Chilling out on an ice floe
-
The Riviera of India
-
Fragrant fields as far as the eye can see
-
World Bee Day
-
Mangrove islands near Kundapura, Karnataka
-
Mothers Day
-
Blue as far as the eye can see
-
Cypress trees in George L. Smith State Park, Georgia, United States
-
The Painted Hills, Oregon
-
Your TEA comes from here!
-
World Octopus Day
-
Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan
-
Lake Bled, Slovenia
-
Charminar, Hyderabad, Telangana
-
Rama Navami
-
Playa del Silencio, Spain
-
Cinque Torri, Dolomiti, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belluno, Veneto, Italy
-
Village of Santa Maddalena, Dolomites, Italy
-
Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland
-
Giddy family fun
-
Eurasian lynx
-
Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
-
Knuthöjdsmossen nature reserve, Sweden