Representations of Mt. Fuji abound in Asakusa. Located there is the site of the biggest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, approachable almost exclusively from a network of streets lined with souvenir and specialty shops, snack booths, and restaurants. Milling about the streets was the largest collection of foreigners that I’d yet seen in Japan. Some Japanese […]
Mt. Fuji’s Fame with Consumers
Mt. Fuji is often one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking of Japan. It has been a Japanese icon for centuries, ranging from being worshiped as a deity to being featured in everyday objects. It has become so popular that a walk through Tokyo’s many districts will result in seeing Fuji in […]
Fujiko in modern time — the invisible world of Fujisan
Fujisan, standing at 3776 meters above sea level, is the tallest volcano in the Japan archipelago. One does not have to leave the bustling streets Tokyo to witness the grand presence of Fuji. In fact, you can find Fuji images plastered on everything from a 5-inch tall tissue box in Shinjuku (Fig.1) to a 7-foot […]
The Biodiversity of Fuji Images in Urban Environments
The greatest areas of biodiversity have varied landscapes to provide a range of habitats for the species that live there. Japan’s satoyama, or countryside, has high levels of biodiversity. The human involvement creates a range of habitats which support many different species. Habitats found around traditional rice paddies include the paddies themselves, which maintain water […]
Discovering the Power of Fuji
Mt. Fuji has presence. As only a small landmark in the distance, the symmetrical mountain immediately calls attention to itself against the glamour of Tokyo’s industrial skyscrapers and neon signs. Whether in Tokyo’s flashy Ginza District or the fashionable Harajuku District, it is hard to forget that one resides in the mountain’s domain […]