MOUNT FUJI 

Fast Facts: 

Shizuoka Prefecture is an elongated region following the coast of the Pacific Ocean at the Suruga Bay. In the west, the prefecture extends deep into the Japan Alps, while further east it becomes a narrower coast bounded on the north by Mount Fuji, until it comes to the Izu Peninsula, a popular resort area pointing south into the Pacific.

A perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone, the mountain is a near-mythical national symbol immortalized in countless works of art, including Hokusai's 36 Views of Mt. Fuji.  The Japanese always refer to Mt. Fuji as Fuji-san, but the -san here simply means "mountain", and has nothing to do with the honorific san for people's names.

• Gotemba Population: 84,000 approx
• Visas: US passport holders, most EU residents and visitors from Australia and New Zealand do not require a visa if staying in Japan less than 90 days.
• Dialling Code: 00 81
• Weights & Measures: Metric
• Electricity: 100V, 50Hz
• Currency: Japanese Yen (Banknotes come in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 yen)
• Airport: Tokyo (NRT)
• Taxis: Available but liable to be very costly
• Climate: Autumn (September to November) is a great time to travel - the temperatures are pleasant, and the autumn colours in the countryside are fantastic.

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