There are endless view points
around the base of Mt Fuji to
contemplate and capture Japan’s
biggest Volcano. From hard-to-
miss staples to more remote locations, I came up with this guide to help you find your favorite view of Mt Fuji
Hakone Shrine
To me the best photo opportunity in Hakone is taken from the banks of Lake Ashi where you have the perfect alignment between the Red Torii, Mount Fuji peaking through the trees in the background and the water in the foreground. You can park your car in the public parking lot facing the 7/11 (the exact location is here)
I like to come at sunrise to watch Fuji slowly get illuminated by the morning light. It’s a very peaceful spot not known by many. I’ve often only encountered fishermen. Soon after the sun has risen, I like to take the short drive (5 minutes) to the Shrine where you can see the Torii you’ve just shot from up close. Standing at the foot of it really gives a sense of its size.
I recommend coming early morning to avoid the crowds, Hakone is a popular onsen town among Japanese and the photo spot can get busy. A line starts forming after 8/9am.
After snapping your shots, make sure to go up the stairs that lead to a beautiful Shinto Shrine nestled in the woods.
See MoreFuji Social Welfare Council - Eastern Civil Plaza
Japan has a culture rich in symbol, and it’s exhilarating for a photographer to catch two in a single frame. At this location you can combine both the Shinkansen (bullet train) and Mt Fuji.
This location is a bit off-the- beaten-path in a rural area of Shizuoka. It is best to have a car to reach this location. There is a small truck-parking lot or small streets between the fields where you can park your car temporarily while you get your shot.
Trains will pass every 15min or so. Don’t worry if you missed the first one, plenty of more will come!
This location is accessible year-round but the picture is made even better when visiting in the spring as the flowers in the field will be blooming.
See MoreMiho no Matsubara (Miho Pine Forest)
In 2013, Miho-no-Matsubara was registered a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site as a part of Mt. Fuji’s “sacred place and source of artistic inspiration”
On the small Miho Peninsula over thirty- thousand pine trees grow along the 7km beach. This green pine forest, the waves crushing on the beach, the blue ocean and Mt. Fuji as a backdrop have been represented in Japanese art for centuries. It is one of Japan’s most sacred and celebrated scenic ocations.
Though a rental car would be the most efficient, the area is accessible via Shinkansen on the Tokaido Line. The beach/pine grove can be reached by bus from Shimizu Station.
This location is accessible year round. You can talk a stroll on the beach or wonder in the pine forrest. In the summer you can enjoy a swim or water sports has it is a popular spot for windsurfing, kayaking, diving and fishing.
The best time to shoot this spot is at sunrise. The sun rises on the right side of Fuji and lights up that side of the volcano.
See MoreShiraito Falls
This gorgeous waterfall is one of a kind. The water is incredibly clear, as it flows down from the Shiba river which is fed by the melting snow of Mt Fuji There is the main gushing fall but not only that, all the surrounding walls are covered in water. When you’re standing at the bottom there are waterfalls streaming down 180° around you. There is a second waterfall a short walk away, Otodome Falls. Make sure to see that one too, the view point is more limited but the gushing stream is even bigger. Reaching this waterfall is easy and this convenience often attracts the crowds. Buses operate from Kawaguchiko, Shin-Fuji Station or Fujinomiya Station. There is a small cost of 500¥ for parking if you come by car.
Because the waterfall is in a gully, I recommend shooting at midday when the sun peaks in the sky and the light hits the water. Early in the morning or late afternoon and the fall will be in the shadows.
See MoreLake Kawaguchi
There are many lakes around Mt Fuji, being fortunate enough to visit them all, I included my personal favorite in this guide. Lakes are the perfect foreground for your shot ; the reflection of Fuji in water providing for a great composition. There are many view points offering different opportunities around Lake Kawaguchi. Nagasaki & Oishi Park offer amazing flower compositions in the spring, and the Maple Corridor is the best way to catch fall colors around the lake.
If you are able to, be prepared to come back here many times. Every season looks different, from blooming sakuras in the spring to hot summer days and maple leaves of fall, each season offer its unique photography opportunities.
See MoreSaiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba (Traditional Japanese Village)
Saiko Iyashi-no Sato Nenba is an old village that mirrors traditional Japan. After being washed-out by floods in 1966, the village has been rebuilt and now serves as an open air museum with Mt Fuji as a backdrop.
For a small entry fee you can visit the village. Take the time to explore each house and learn about its history. Each of the 21 houses showcases a different part of Japanese culture and traditions ; from craftsmanship, pottery, art, farm tools, and there is even one dedicated to “napping and enjoying the scenery”.
This might be the most scenic nap you’ll ever take. My personal favorite is house n°11, on its second floor the window offers a direct view on Mt Fuji, the perfect frame for your shot. On your way down to the exit, don’t miss house N°20 & 21. They are restaurants that offer delicious homemade meals with amazing Soba and Hoto options.
See MoreLake Motosu
Of the Fuji 5 lakes, Motosu is the furthest from the city of Kawaguchiko. Fun fact, it is the one that’s represented on the reverse side of the 1 000¥ bill based on a photograph shot in 1935. The lake is difficult to access by public transport, it’s best to add this to your itinerary if you have a car. It is mostly unspoiled with no shops, hotels or restaurant around. It’s very quiet with a few campsites around its shores, which makes it an ideal location for an overnight
camp. Its water is among the clearest of Japan’s main island Honshu
which makes for ideal diving conditions. It’s known for outdoor enthusiasts to go hiking, boating or enjoy other water sports on the lake.
Depending weather conditions, if the lake is calm you may see a perfect reflection of Mt. Fuji on lake’s surface, just like it appears on the bill. As for gear, no specific equipment is needed here, just make sure to have a 1000¥ bill handy to create your before/after photo.
See More今宮の茶畑
In terms of colors, the green of the fields is a stunning contrast with the blue sky and snow top of Fuji. In terms of composition, the patterns created by the meticulous work of the plantation workers create visuals very satisfying to the eye. Come between mid-April and May when the leaves are not yet picked, the greens are the most vibrant and and Fuji still has snow at its peak. During this season, the spot is popular among local photographers. Pay a close look at the calendar to avoid coming during Golden Week (long holiday weekend for the Japanese), or visit early in the morning!
You can make your way there by train. Then you’ll have to get a taxi as there is no public transport that leads to this spot. The nearest Shinkansen station, Shin-Fuji, is a 20 minute taxi ride. If you enjoy the iconic Japanese tea, given that 40% of all of Japan’s Green Tea is grown in Shizuoka, there are a number of different experiences you can attend all through the area.
See MoreLake Tanuki
A true hidden gem of peace and tranquility. This place is left out of most travel itineraries you can find. I’ve only encountered Japanese travelers or locals coming to camp for the weekend at this beautiful
spot.
My favorite things is to rent a bike for 300¥ and cycle around the lake (about one hour if you stop for photos). Take time time to unwind at this spot, the beauty of it lays in slowing down time. Enjoy a picnic on the green grass by the lake’s shore. If you don’t have time to organize a picnic, there is a small restaurant serving food between 10am-2pm. If it’s in your budget, you can spend the night in the only infrastructure built around the lake, hotel Kyukamura. Its view overlooking Tanuki with Fuji right behind it is
stunning.
The best spots to see Fuji are the decks by campground n°2 and the observation deck built in 2024 at the foot of the Hotel on the southwest side of the lake.
See MoreChureito Pagoda
Possibly the most famous photo-spot in Japan, but still hard to miss. As much as I enjoy things off the beaten path, sometimes the most popular sites are famous for a reason. I definitely recommend shooting this place in the morning light. But even when waking up for sunrise, you won’t find yourself alone at this spot. Once you make your way up the 400 stairs you’ll get to the 5 story pagoda. There is a final set of stairs to get to the platform behind it from there you can see a clear view on Mt Fuji and the iconic red Pagoda overlooking the city of Fujiyoshida. We talked about combining multiple Japanese elements in one photo with the Shinkansen spot, here is another perfect example. In terms of photographic opportunities, it’s 10/10. In terms of experience, might not be the most authentic and serene you can find.
See MoreArakura Fuji Sengen Shrine
An extra spot in this guide before I let you go explore the scenic Mt Fuji surrounds on your own! On your way up to the Chureito Pagoda you will encounter Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine and its gigantic Torii gate. Personally I’ve only gone up to the Pagoda at sunrise and made sure I stopped by the shrine on my way down. The red gate is a perfect frame for Fuji and always makes for a stunning photo. But please be mindful that it is a religious site dating back to 705 that locals and visitors alike visit to ward off evil, to pray for family happiness, and safe childbirth.
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