Where to See the Best Views of Mount Fuji
Ah Fuji-san. The heart and soul of Japan. I’ve daydreamed about seeing Mount Fuji with my own two eyes since I was a little girl. I never saw a mountain as beautiful and entrancing as Mount Fuji. Its perfect conical shape with the white tipped top is so iconic, and an image that is known around the world. If you want to spend a few days gawking at this beautiful mountain, just as I have, continue reading to find some of the best views of Mount Fuji around Kawaguchiko and the Fuji Five Lakes region.
The Essentials
Fuji Five Lakes info to know before you go
Tips for Seeing the Best Views of Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji Visibility
Mount Fuji is known to be a shy mountain – often covered by clouds. In order to increase your chances of seeing the mountain, it’s recommended you spend several days in the area. There are live cameras stationed all around the Fuji Five Lakes region that you can check out before you depart to see if there’s any visibility.
When is the Best Time to go?
The best chance of seeing Mount Fuji is during the colder months, between November and February. During this time there is less humidity and less atmospheric haze, making visibility a lot clearer.
Keep in mind the time of year you plan to visit Mount Fuji, as cherry blossom season brings large crowds that can make popular viewpoints feel extremely busy and stressful. Fall can be an especially beautiful time to visit, as the vibrant autumn foliage adds an extra layer of magic to the experience. You can experience momijigari (紅葉狩り), which literally translates to “autumn leaf hunting,” but it refers to the tradition of going out to admire fall foliage, similar to cherry blossom viewing in spring.
The best time of day to see Mount Fuji is early in the morning. Not only are there fewer clouds and a higher chance of visibility, but there are also fewer tourists at the attractions.
Lastly, keep in mind that the iconic snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji is typically visible from late October through June. If seeing that classic view is high on your bucket list, it’s worth planning your trip around these months.
Getting Around the Fuji Five Lakes Region
The most convenient way to explore the Fuji Five Lakes region is by car. This will allow you easy access to all the sites with maximum flexibility and time efficiency. There are multiple car rental agencies located near Kawaguchiko which is convenient.
Alternatively, if you don’t rent a car you will need to rely on a combination of public transit and taxis.
From Kawaguchiko Station, there are a number of sightseeing buses, with three main bus lines; red, green and blue. These lines will get you to most of the attractions around Lake Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Shojiko and Motosuko. You can view the Sightseeing Bus Guide Map here and the bus timetable here. If you go during peak tourist times (cherry blossom season, weekends and holidays, etc), plan to wait in long lines.
If you’re short on time and don’t want to wait for buses, or if you plan on traveling outside of the scheduled bus hours (which is roughly between 9am and 7pm), you will need to supplement public transit with taxis.
PRO TIP
If you need to take a taxi before sunrise, you will need to arrange it in advance, as it’s not possible to call a taxi before 6am. This includes Uber and Go. I recommend you speak with your hotel in advance to see if they can have it arranged for you.
8 Places to See the Best Views of Mount Fuji
Kawaguchiko Station
The most practical way to get to the Fuji Five Lakes region is to take a train from Tokyo. The Fuji Excursion Limited Express Train runs directly from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Kawaguchiko Station in Fuji Five Lakes in just under 2 hours. If you want more information on the Fuji Excursion Limited Express Train, I recommend reading this excellent blog post by Japan Bullet Train which goes over all the details.
The first glimpse you will get of Mount Fuji will be from the train, so I highly recommend getting a seat on the right side of the train if you’re coming from Tokyo.
As you exit the station, take a look behind you to catch Mount Fuji peeking out above the building. Mount Fuji is stunning from just about any angle, so walk around the area here to look for some cool shots. This is also where the viral Lawson photo spot is, but good luck getting the shot as it’s constantly jam-packed with tourists.
Chureito Pagoda
Probably one of the most iconic shots of Mount Fuji – if not THE most iconic shot of Japan. Chureito Pagoda offers many stunning viewpoints of Mount Fuji as you walk up the 400 steps to the top.
It’s absolutely worth arriving here as early as possible—ideally right at sunrise—as this viewpoint becomes extremely crowded with tourists throughout the day.
Shimoyoshida
This ended up being one of my favourite viewpoints of Mount Fuji because it was so unexpected. I’m not sure if it’s an optical illusion, but Mount Fuji just towers above the city and creates an incredible view when looking through the streets and lanes.
The popular photography spot is located at the corner of the Shimoyoshida Information Centre. Here you will find a crowd of people and a disgruntled city worker trying to ensure tourists don’t get run over by cars. My recommendation is to skip this specific spot and walk around the neighbourhood instead—I guarantee you will find equally, if not better, shots of Mount Fuji through the incredible streets and alleyways.
Side note: I highly recommend the cutest little onigiri cafe Omusubi Kon for lunch while you’re in the area.
Tenku No Torii
Perched high above Lake Kawaguchiko, the Tenku no Torii is a serene mountaintop shrine gate famous for its breathtaking panoramic views of Mount Fuji framed perfectly behind the torii. If you want a great photo of Mount Fuji from this viewpoint, go early in the morning when the light is not too harsh and shining in the right direction.
Bonus location: While not a view of Mount Fuji, Hahanoshirataki Shrine is tucked away in the forest, about a 10 minute walk from Tenku No Torii and well worth a little detour to experience the tranquil atmosphere and sacred shrine.
Oishi Park
Nestled along the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, Oishi Park is beloved for its vibrant seasonal flower fields and postcard-perfect views of Mount Fuji reflected across the lake. Depending on what time of year you come, you’ll find a different botanical display, from flowers in the spring to vibrant red kochia in the autumn.
See the Best Views of Mount Fuji From the Local Train
One of my favourite view points of Mount Fuji was from the local train on the Fujikyuko Line. Specifically between Kotobuki Station and Mt. Fuji Station. Get a spot at the front of the train and stand directly behind the conductor. As the train moves along the track, Mount Fuji slowly comes into view, creating one of those unforgettable wow moments as you realize locals get to enjoy this incredible scenery as part of their everyday commute.
Oshino Hakkai
Set in a traditional village at the base of Mount Fuji, Oshino Hakkai is a collection of eight crystal-clear ponds formed by melted snow from Mount Fuji that has been naturally filtered through volcanic rock for decades. Historically, the ponds were considered sacred pilgrimage sites for worshippers climbing Mount Fuji, and today they are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural site.
Its origins date back several hundred years ago to the Edo period, and the village has preserved much of its traditional rural character, including thatched-roof houses, water mills, and historic pathways that reflect old Japanese village life.
Visitors can stroll along peaceful walking paths, admire the incredibly transparent spring water, sample local street food, shop for souvenirs, and experience the charm of a traditional Japanese village. And if you’re lucky, have a perfect view of Mount Fuji in the background.
See the Best Views of Mount Fuji From Your Own Hotel
Choosing a hotel room with a view of Mount Fuji will help increase your chances of seeing it. If you’re lucky like I was, I was greeted to a spectacular sunrise over Mount Fuji which gave the phenomenon of Red Fuji, an incredibly rare and auspicious occurence. It only happens in specific conditions, usually in the early morning hours as the sun rises, between late summer and early autumn. If I hadn’t chosen a hotel room with a view, I would have missed this incredible site.
I hope this guide was helpful and that you are blessed with clear skies so you get to experience the best views of Mount Fuji, just like I have. 🙂
