Why is Mount Fuji considered a sacred mountain in Japan?

Mount Fuji is considered a sacred mountain in Japan due to its long-standing role as a focal point of religious devotion and its status as an essential national symbol. Its significance is deeply rooted in Shintō tradition, where the mountain is associated with the goddess Konohanasakuya-hime.12

To honor this deity and to placate the volcano’s destructive power, a network of shrines—most notably the Sengen (Asama) shrines—was established. Religious practices associated with the mountain include:1

• Asceticism: From the Heian period onward, the mountain became central to Shugen-dō, a form of mountain asceticism that blends Buddhism with indigenous beliefs.1
• Pilgrimage: Climbing the mountain has historically been an act of devotion. Pilgrims traditionally wore white robes to symbolize ritual purity, and by the 12th century, a temple had been established near the summit.1
• Religious Movements: During the Tokugawa period, the Fuji-kō movement emerged, which specifically venerated the mountain and promoted pilgrimages to its peak.1