Mount Fuji is probably Japan’s most iconic landmark for some obvious reasons.
It’s not surprising because the nearly perfect, solitary volcano has appeared in paintings, wood block prints, and other artworks for centuries. It even appeared in some advertisements, movies, and brand logos. It has long been a site of spiritual importance and a source of inspiration for many artists.
This landmark is one of the most photographed mountains in the world.
For travelers visiting Japan, this awe-inspiring sacred mountain, officially the country’s highest peak at 3,776 meters, is a must-see! In most cases, a Japan travel itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a spot where you can get a glimpse and enjoy the majestic grandeur of this geographical wonder.
There are many sites and opportunities for travelers to enjoy the views of Mt. Fuji.
Travelers can opt to climb the snow-capped mountain but for me, Mt. Fuji, located over 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, looks better from afar than from close-up.
Located on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, the mountain can be seen from countless spots in the surrounding regions and even from as far as Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days.
During my first-ever trip to Japan during winter, I made sure that I would be able to see this magnificent wonder in the flesh.
Getting there
I spent a full day trip to Fujiyoshida, a city in Yamanashi prefecture and probably one of the best places to enjoy fantastic views of Mt. Fuji.
From Tokyo, I took a highway bus (which is a cheaper option for Y2,000 or about P800 plus) from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Lake Kawaguchi and the Fuji-Q Highland area.This journey took me about two hours, given the light traffic that time as I left Tokyo early in the morning.
My Fujisan adventure began when I arrived at the Kawaguchiko Station, from where I then took a local limited express train to get me to Shimoyoshida Station in the city of Fujiyoshida.
It’s in this station where you can easily access the Chureito Pagoda and Honcho Street, two of the best spots in Fujiyoshida to get a closer look at Fujisan.
Chureito Pagoda
The Chureito Pagoda is a five storied pagoda on the mountainside overlooking Fujiyoshida City.
From the platform at the top where tourists converge and take photos, you’d enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Fuji in combination with the pagoda, especially during the cherry blossom season in mid-April when there are hundreds of trees in bloom and during the autumn color season which usually takes place in the first half of November. But even during winter when I visited, the view was still awesome!
This spot is particularly popular among photographers as it allows for some wonderfully stereotypical shots of Japan. I could literally just sit from there, staring at its beauty and just be inspired! I got lucky when I was able to see the mountain in clear skies early in the morning because most of the time, the view of the mountain top is obstructed by low hanging clouds or poor visibility.
It’s better to see the mountain in the early mornings or late afternoons, especially during the colder winter months when visibility tends to be better than during summer.
Honcho Street
Arguably another best spot to do Mt. Fuji viewing is Honcho Street, just a few minutes’ walk from the Shimoyoshida Station. I’ve long seen photos of Mount Fuji towering over this narrow shopping district on Instagram and I really made sure to make a stop at this unique townscape. Unique because this narrow street has been adorned with colorful (mostly old) signboards, and cluttered with overhead power lines, which give it an old-fashioned vibe.
Honcho Street isn’t just a favorite hotspot for photographers and travellers getting the best angle of Mt. Fuji. It’s also home to a number of weaving shops.
Fujiyoshida boasts a robust textile industry that dates back over a millennium.
Over time, the city blossomed into a bustling textile production area in Japan partly due to the clear spring water that runs from Mt. Fuji, which was deemed exceptionally suitable for dyeing.
If you are pressed for time while in Japan, you can still get a glimpse of Fujisan without visiting its surrounding areas. On clear days, this national icon is even visible from the observation decks in Tokyo and flights from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to the western part of the island.
Seeing the mountain from the air was one of the things on my bucket list. Luckily, I flew to Osaka from Tokyo by air in an early morning All Nippon Airways flight, which afforded me such majestic views of Fujisan from my window seat. That was a surreal ultimate flight experience.
Marveling at Japan’s landscapes high up in the sky makes me want to come back to this beautiful country. ‘Til I see you soon, Nippon!