Mount Ashitaka facts for kids

Mount Ashitaka (愛鷹山, Ashitakayama) is a group of volcanic mountains in Japan. It is located to the southeast of the famous Mount Fuji. The highest point in this group is Mount Echizen-dake, which stands 1,504 meters (about 4,934 feet) tall. However, the entire mountain range is named after a slightly lower peak called Ashitaka-yama, which is 1,188 meters (about 3,898 feet) high.

View of the extinct volcano Ashitakayama, a woodblock print by Hiroshige

The Story of Mount Ashitaka

Mount Ashitaka is a very old volcano. It first erupted a long, long time ago during a period called the Pleistocene epoch. This was a time in Earth's history that ended about 11,700 years ago. Mount Ashitaka had its last eruption around 100,000 years ago. Because it hasn't erupted in such a long time, it is now considered an extinct volcano. This means scientists do not expect it to erupt again.

Views of Mount Ashitaka

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  Snow-covered Mount Fuji and Mount Ashitaka (on the far right) seen across Suruga Bay.

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  A scene from the Tokaido Road station near Hara, painted by Hiroshige.

A wide view of Mount Ashitaka in the middle front and Mount Fuji in the background, as seen from Jukkoku Pass.

More Information

• SpringerImages, "Simplified geologic cross-section of Fuji and Ashitaka Volcanoes"

Images for kids

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  Mount Fuji seen from the south.

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  Mount Fuji and Mount Ashitaka from above.

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  A view from Mount Fuji.