5 places to see Mount Fuji 富士山
Lake Ashi Floating Torii, which reflects Mount Fuji.
Credit: DR
Views of Mount Fuji when Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri.
Credit: JNTO
Mount Fuji from Miho Pine Beach, Shizuoka Prefecture
Credit: R.A
Mount Fuji at sunrise, in Shizuoka prefecture.
Credit: JNTO
Fuji from every angle
To gaze upon Mount Fuji remains one of the top desires of visitors to Japan. But it's not always that simple. Here are some tips to seeing the iconic Japanese mountain at its best.
We won't be including unlikely views in this list. Many people would like to see Fuji from Tokyo, perhaps from the Town Hall tower or from the Skytree, but the mountain is nearly one hundred kilometers away and days clear enough to catch a glimpse are rare.
The same goes for the famous view of Fuji from the Shinkansen crossing the Fuji River, you have to be on high alert and very on the ball to get a decent snapshot.
Finally, we mustn't forget that Mount Fuji can generally only be seen clearly from October to late March. The mountain remains invisible, hidden by clouds throughout the summer and most of the spring. If, by chance, you do see it, it will be a black and conical shape, without its classic snow-topped summit. The snow isn't there year round.
Enjoy Mount Fuji with Voyagin
The best places to view the mountain are:
- From Moto-Hakone, or better still, from a boat cruise on Lake Ashi. There is also a beautiful view from Owakudani and the Hakone cable car. You will see the mountain in all its glory.
- From Fuji Go Ko, see the five lakes of Mount Fuji, which are on its northern slope. A little-urbanized area, but which is very nice for cycling in summer. You will be at the very foot of the mountain.
- From the Fuji River: stop in Shizuoka to go to Fuji and stroll along the banks of the river, while you wait to see a Shinkansen go by and take the classic photo.
- From Shizuoka, Mount Fuji is particularly beautiful from Nihondaira Hill and Tokugawa Ieyasu's Toshogu Temple. From Miho Beach you will have a beautiful view of the city of Shimizu and Suruga Bay at the foot of the mountain.
- From the other side of Suruga Bay in Izu, you will have access to a long coast dotted with observation points of the mountain. Particular examples are the Osezaki Cape near Numazu and further south, Koibito Cape, where the best photos of Fuji over the sea can be taken.
