“Is this Mount Fuji?”
“No, this is Mount Damavand.”
When I asked this question about a mountain painting displayed in an Iranian boutique hotel room, the hotel owner answered with a gentle smile. Embarrassingly, I had mistaken a painting of Iran’s iconic mountain for Mount Fuji.
However, I was surprised by his next words:
“But don’t worry about it. Even Iranians sometimes mistake it for Mount Fuji. Actually, there was a major embarrassment on an important national occasion a few years ago.”
That “major embarrassment” was a surprising scandal that became big news throughout Iran. In a political program, an almost unbelievable event occurred where the country’s iconic mountain was confused with Japan’s Mount Fuji, becoming a nationwide laughingstock. Why are these symbols of two distant countries so similar, and what kind of confusion occurred? Here’s that fascinating story.
The “Mount Fuji Incident” During Iran’s Presidential Election
From https://www.asriran.com/
It was 2013, during Iran’s presidential election which would become an important turning point in the country’s political history.
During a televised debate between candidates that captured national attention, state television announced that they had placed a photo of Iran’s iconic mountain, Mount Damavand, along with the national flag in the candidates’ background “to express Iran’s dignity and pride.”
However, social media erupted as soon as the broadcast began. What appeared in the background was unmistakably Japan’s Mount Fuji.
“Can’t state television even distinguish their own country’s mountain?” “What ignorance to mistake a national symbol!”
Criticism spread rapidly. Iran’s Mehr News Agency immediately reported on it, sarcastically quoting that “program producers had previously announced that ‘to create a program befitting Iran, television officials, public relations specialists, mass communication experts, program producers, and producers designed it under the direct supervision of the television director.'” This mistake in a nationally representative political debate, especially in a scene meant to express “dignity and pride,” became a major domestic scandal.
Not Just Once! Repeated Confusion Between Mount Fuji and Mount Damavand
Surprisingly, this confusion wasn’t a one-time occurrence. According to reports, the cultural program “Two Steps Until Morning” also displayed Mount Fuji instead of Mount Damavand, which should have been Iran’s symbol, in every episode.
From https://hamshahrionline.ir/hamnews/
Even more shocking was during the opening of Imam Khomeini International Airport. Advertising billboards installed on roads leading to the airport also used photos of Mount Fuji instead of Mount Damavand. The fact that another country’s symbol was used on billboards for a nationally representative airport demonstrates that this confusion wasn’t mere coincidence but rather a recurring problem.
So why does this confusion occur so frequently?
Why Are Mount Fuji and Mount Damavand So Similar?
The answer lies in the remarkable similarity between both mountains.
Mount Damavand is a dormant volcano located about 70km northeast of Tehran, standing at 5,610m as Iran’s highest peak. Meanwhile, Mount Fuji at 3,776m is lower than Mount Damavand, but both have beautiful conical shapes. Their silhouettes when viewed from a distance are surprisingly similar, making distinction difficult in photos from certain angles.
This similarity has geological reasons. Both are “stratovolcanoes”—volcanoes formed by alternating layers of lava and volcanic ash creating conical mountains. Stratovolcanoes are globally known for their beautiful forms, with Mount Fuji and Mount Damavand being prime examples.
Their surrounding environments and climates are also similar. Both rise dramatically from relatively flat regions, making their presence striking. Mount Fuji rises from the Kanto Plain, while Mount Damavand towers prominently within the Alborz Mountains. Additionally, both mountain peaks are covered with snow year-round, creating attractive contrasts between white summits and foothills. Comparing them this way, they might indeed look like separated siblings.
Can They Be Distinguished? Differences Between the Two Mountains
There are distinguishing points between Mount Fuji and Mount Damavand.
The clearest difference is summit shape. Mount Damavand’s peak is somewhat more pointed compared to Mount Fuji, with steeper slopes. In contrast, Mount Fuji draws a smoother conical form with its characteristic volcanic crater depression.
Elevation also differs significantly. Mount Damavand at 5,610m is about 1,800m higher than Mount Fuji (3,776m), creating different presence. Surrounding terrain also differs—while Mount Fuji has a relatively independent mountain form, Mount Damavand is part of the Alborz Mountains, surrounded by other peaks.
However, in photos taken from certain angles, these differences can indeed become difficult to discern.
An Unexpected Cultural Bridge Connecting Japan and Iran
This “mountain confusion” goes beyond mere embarrassing tales. In a positive sense, it demonstrates interesting cultural connections existing between Japan and Iran, two distant countries.
Both countries hold special affection and pride for their iconic mountains. In Iran, Mount Damavand has long been depicted as a sacred mountain in poetry and stories, similar to how Japan’s Mount Fuji has been beloved as a subject in art and literature.
A Travel Conversation Starter
For international travelers visiting Iran, the topic of “Mount Fuji and Mount Damavand” could become a wonderful conversation starter with locals. During my stay at the “Shiraz Traditional Hotel” in Shiraz, asking “Is this Mount Fuji?” about a mountain painting led to unexpected cultural exchange.
Finding “connections to home” in foreign lands is one of travel’s great pleasures. Discovering that a mountain similar to Mount Fuji exists in the Middle East should make Iranian travel even more special.
