Updated in March 2025
Mount Fuji or Fuji-san is the most sacred mountain in Japan and an iconic symbol that captivates both locals and tourists alike. It is Japan’s highest mountain standing at 3,776 meters (12,389 feet). Its symmetrical perfectly shaped cone, often snow-capped, is a picturesque sight from many vantage points.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the best and easily accessible places to view Mount Fuji, including detailed information on what you can expect to see, how to get there, and tips to make the most of your visit. I will add a list of other numerous spots where you can see Mount Fuji.
1. Mount Fuji View with Chureito Pagoda
What will you see?
Chureito Pagoda, part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine, offers one of Mount Fuji most iconic postcard views. The pagoda sits on a hill in the Arakurayama Sengen Park overlooking Fujiyoshida City with Fuji-san in the distance.
The five-story pagoda, framed by cherry blossoms in spring or vibrant autumn leaves, creates a stunning composition with Mount Fuji in the background. It is hard to imagine a more iconic Japanese view that ticks multiple boxes at once: it is a view that has three symbols of Japan, Mount Fuji, sakura blossom, and Chureito pagoda at the same time.
This vantage point is particularly popular during the cherry blossom season (usually late March to early April) when the pink cherry blossoms set against the snow-capped mountain are mesmerizing. This spot is also famous for its stunning scenery in autumn when the foliage has vibrant shades of red and orange.
How to get there?
The Chureito Pagoda is located in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture. If you travel from Tokyo, to get there, take a train on JR Chuo line to Otsuki Station. At Otsuki Station change to Fujikyuko Line to get to Shimoyoshida Station.
From Shimoyoshida Station, it is a short 10-minute walk to the Arakura Sengen Shrine. Be prepared for a bit of a climb, as you’ll need to ascend 398 steps to reach the pagoda. The effort is well worth it for the breathtaking view.
The three main options are either getting a bus, train or renting a car. While the train will get you there slightly faster, the bus is significantly cheaper. Do note that if you have a Japan Rail pass, you can use this for the journey. If you are driving, there is a free parking lot available near the Chureito Pagoda, however, during Cherry Blossom Festival you need to pay for parking.
Tips on visiting
Entry fee: There is no entrance fee to Arakurayama Sengen Park.
Timing: If you want the best light for the photos, visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The sunrise and sunset views from this location are spectacular, with the sky painted in hues of orange and pink, casting a magical glow on Mount Fuji.
This place is very popular and is crowded during the day and still quite busy at sunset. If you prefer fewer crowds, come early in the morning for sunrise.
Season: If you can, plan your visit during cherry blossom season or in autumn when the foliage adds extra color to the scene. Also, keep in mind that from June to October the top of Mount Fuji is not covered with snow. If you would like a guaranteed snow-capped view, come from January to April.
Cherry Blossom Festival: In spring, during cherry blossom season, usually early to mid-April depending on the weather and blooming conditions, Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Arakurayama Sengen Park. During the festival, there are stage events and food stalls offer local delicacies.
If you plan to visit the Chureito Pagoda, you can also visit Honcho Street in Fujiyoshida for a stunning view of Mt Fuji. It is about 25 minutes walk from Chureito Pagona. I will include more details on Honcho Street below.
2. Mount Fuji from Oshino Hakkai
What will you see?
Oshino Hakkai is a traditional Japanese village featuring eight crystal-clear ponds fed by the snowmelt from Mount Fuji. The reflections of the majestic mountain in the tranquil waters of the ponds create a postcard-perfect scene. The village itself, with its thatched-roof houses, waterwheels, and traditional gardens, provides a glimpse into Japan’s rural past. The ponds are considered sacred, and their pristine waters are said to have healing properties.
There is a small open-air museum, the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan. Oshino Hakkai’s largest pond is located inside the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan. This museum also has a traditional Japanese thatched-roof farmhouse showcasing the lifestyle and culture of rural Japan during the Edo period. It displays a variety of farming tools, household items, clothing, and samurai weapons. It costs ¥300 to enter the museum.
How to get there?
Oshino Hakkai is located between Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka in the Fuji Five Lakes region. The closest station is Fujisan Station on Fujikyuko Line.
If you travel from Tokyo, to get there, take a train on JR Chuo line to Otsuki Station. At Otsuki Station change to Fujikyuko Line to get to Fujisan Station. At Fujisan Station change to a bus. You need to take a bus going from Kawaguchiko Station to Gotemba Station. However, please note that not all buses go to Oshino Hakkai. Approximately every other bus (about one per hour) takes a detour via Oshino Hakkai.
The bus ride takes about 20 minutes and costs ¥450. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Fujisan Station, which is a quicker but more expensive option.
Tips on visiting
Entry fee: There is no entrance fee to Oshino Hakkai village, and it is open any time of the day. But to enter but Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan open-air museum, there is an entrance fee of ¥300. The museum is open daily from 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
Crowds: Oshino Hakkai can get crowded, especially on weekends and during holidays. Visit early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid the rush.
Season: Each season offers a different charm. Spring brings cherry blossoms, summer offers lush greenery, autumn has vibrant foliage, and in winter Mount Fuji is snow-capped.
Local Delicacies: Try local snacks and delicacies sold at various stalls around the village. Freshly made soba noodles and grilled fish are popular choices.
3. Mount Fuji from Fujiyoshida
What will you see?
Fujiyoshida is a city located at the northern base of the mountain. It is known for its stunning views of Mount Fuji, which is one of the primary attractions for tourists.
Honcho Street in Fujiyoshida offers a striking view of Mount Fuji. Personally, this was one of my favorite views. This street, often photographed for its picturesque scene, features a straight road leading directly towards the mountain. The view is especially notable because the street is lined with shops and street lamps, creating a perfect blend of urban and natural beauty.
The city itself provides a blend of traditional and modern attractions, with quaint streets, local shops, and cultural sites.
How to get there?
Fujiyoshida is easily accessible by train. If you travel from Tokyo, to get there, take a train on JR Chuo line to Otsuki Station. At Otsuki Station change to Fujikyuko Line to get to Shimoyoshida Station. From there, it is about 10 minutes walk south of the station.
Tips on visiting
Season: This view is the best in winter when Mount Fuji is snow-capped.
Honcho Street has become extremely popular place for tourists, so it gets very crowded with tourists blocking the traffic. Try to come early in the morning and explore quieter and less popular streets.
The Chureito Pagoda is accessible from the same train station. So if you plan to visit Chureito Pagoda don’t miss Honcho Street and vice versa. If you are coming from Chureito Pagoda, you will need to get back to Shimoyoshida train station. Honcho Street is on the opposite side of the station. To get there walk for about 10 minutes south of the station.
4. Mount Fuji from Izu Peninsula
What will you see?
The western coast of Izu Peninsula offers spectacular views of Mount Fuji. Since Izu is southwest of Mount Fuji, the views often include the ocean and rugged coastlines. There are numerous vantage points along the coast including: Mihama Beach, Koganezaki Park, Lover’s Cape, Fujimi Parking Lot, Kumomi Omoide Misaki (Kumomi Memories Cape).
The view from Koganezaki Park on the photo below is one of my favorite views of Mount Fuji. But keep in mind that this is one of the most distant views of Mount Fuji, and on a hazy day you won’t have a clear view.
How to get there?
While the eastern side of Izu peninsular has good public transport access, the western coast is relatively off-the-beaten path. Therefore, I highly recommend renting a car if you would like to explore western coast of Izu Peninsular, it will save your time and give you more flexibility.
5. Mount Fuji View from Lake Ashi
What will you see?
Lake Ashi in Hakone is one of the most famous spots for viewing Mount Fuji offering a spectacular combination of water, mountains and the iconic red torii gate of Hakone Shrine. During daytime, you can enjoy the view from the deck of a Hakone Pirate Ship cruise or capture a view of Mount Fuji with a Pirate Ship in the foreground (first boat: around 9.30am, last boat: around 4.30 pm).
To get the best view of Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi, you should be on the southern or southeastern shore of the lake (e.g. Moto-Hakone Pier, Hakone-Machi Pier, P9 Parking Lot in Hakone). The northwestern side is closer to the mountains, which blocks the view of Fuji.
How to get there?
From Tokyo: take Tokaido Shinkansen, Odakyu Line train, or Romancecar train from Shinjuku to Odawara Station, and transfer to Hakone Tozan Train or Hakone Tozan Bus to Hakone-Machi or Moto-Hakone. Please read about Hakone Free Pass (it’s not free, but rather a discount pass for exploring Hakone), it allows unlimited use of Odakyu-affiliated buses, trains, boats, cablecars, and discounted admission to some tourist attractions in Hakone.
6. Lake Kawaguchiko
What will you see?
Lake Kawaguchiko is one of the Fuji Five Lakes, a scenic area at the northern base of Mount Fuji. The northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko offers a wide, unobstructed view of Mount Fuji, especially stunning on clear days. On calm days, the reflection of the mountain in the lake creates a beautiful mirror image. Overall, Lake Kawaguchiko provides one of the most easily accessible and picturesque views of Mount Fuji, therefore, the place can be very crowded because of its popularity.
Popular Vantage Points around Lake Kawaguchiko: Kawaguchiko Bridge, Ubuyagasaki Peninsula, Oishi Park, Nagasaki Park, Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, Tenjoyama Park.
How to get there?
You need to get to Kawaguchiko Station, there are several options:
By Train: At Shinjuku Station take JR Chuo Line train to Otsuki Station (2,360 yen for limited express trains or 1,340 yen for local train) and transfer to the Fujikyuko Line to get to Kawaguchiko Station (1,170 yen). There also several direct limited express trains between Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko Stations (this option is more expensive – about 4,130 yen). Please note that JR Pass only covers the way to Otsuki Station.
By bus: There are direct buses from Shinjuku (2 buses per hour) and Tokyo Station ( 1 or 2 buses per hour) to Kawaguchiko Station. It takes about 2 hours and costs 2,200 yen).
At Kawaguchiko Station you can take the local Omni Bus. The Red Line (or Kawaguchiko Line) runs along Lake Kawaguchi eastern and northern shores.
7. Mount Fuji from Hakkai Garden Hikoheiya Yashiki
What will you see?
There is not much information about this place (八海庭園 彦兵衛屋敷) in English on the internet. We found this place accidentally. It is a beautifully landscaped and serene garden featuring traditional Japanese elements: ponds, stone lanterns, traditional thatched-roof houses, and meticulously maintained trees and plants. The place is small, but the good thing, it is not crowded at all, especially compared to other famous places with Mount Fuji views, like Oshino Hakkai or Chureito Pagoda.
This traditional Japanese garden offers a scenic foreground to Mount Fuji. It is ideal for relaxing walks and photography, and although it is not famous, it is absolutely worth visiting.
How to get there?
As I mentioned, we discovered Hakkai Garden accidentally while on a bus from Oshino Hakkai to Fujisan Station. The closest station to this garden is Fujisan Station. I saw this place from the window and we asked the driver to stop. If you are planning to visit Oshino Hakkai you can include Hakkai Garden in your itinerary, as it is walking distance (around 500m) from Oshino Hakkai.
Tips on visiting
Entry fee: There is ¥200 entrance fee. There is an unmanned fare box, and you can enter Hakkai Garden any time of the day.
Season: Same as with other places each season brings its own charm: lush greenery in summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and snow-capped Mount Fuji in winter.
Best place for taking photos: In my opinion Mount Fuji view from outside the garden is better than from inside, with traditional thatched-roof houses and manicured trees in the foreground, as the fence does not obstruct the view. Inside the garden if you want to see the view of Mount Fuji and take photos, you can do this only at certain points, as the trees can obstruct the view of the mountain.
8. Best off-the-beaten-path view of Mount Fuji
The below photo is taken in Susono city, not far from Mount Fuji Museum. This place looked non-touristy at all, we got there by accident, thanks to Google Map – for some reason it told us to turn to this small road with almost no traffic. This is one of my favourite views, giving a sense of tranquility and vastness.
Other amazing views of Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji from Fuji Five Lakes Region
The five lakes are Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanakako, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko, Lake Tanukiko. Lake Kawaguchiko is the most popular and easily accessible. More detailed information on Lake Kawaguchiko is above.
Lake Yamanakako
What to expect: Lake Yamanakako is the closest of the Fuji Five Lakes to Mt Fuji, offering a clear and direct view of the mountain. On calm days, you can see its reflection in the lake, which adds to the scenic beauty. Lake Yamanakako is generally less crowded than Lake Kawaguchiko, making it a good option if you prefer a quieter experience.
Popular Vantage Points around Lake Yamanakako: Nagaike Shinsui Park, Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park, Panoramic Platforms around the lake, Hirayama Fishing Bridge.
Lake Saiko
What to expect: Lake Saiko provides a quieter and more serene experience compared to other Fuji Five Lakes, with partially obstructed views of Mount Fuji due to surrounding hills and forests. While its view is not as prominent as from some other lakes, it is still beautiful and offers unique perspectives, especially from certain vantage points. Lake Saiko is less accessible and has fewer facilities compared to Lake Kawaguchiko.
Popular Vantage Points around Lake Saiko: Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba (a traditional Japanese village), Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park, Lake Saiko Camping Ground.
Lake Shojiko
What to expect: Lake Shojiko offers a quieter and less commercialized atmosphere compared to the other Fuji Five Lakes. The views of Mount Fuji from Lake Shojiko are clear and direct, especially stunning at certain vantage points. On clear days, you can enjoy a beautiful reflection of Fuji-san on the lake’s surface.
Popular Vantage Points around Lake Shojiko: Shoji Panorama Park, Lake Shojiko Observation Deck.
Lake Tanukiko
What to expect: Lake Tanukiko offers stunning views of Mount Fuji, especially famous for the “Diamond Fuji” phenomenon, where the sun appears to sit atop the mountain at sunrise and sunset. The area is more remote and less crowded, providing a peaceful escape with fewer tourists.
Popular Vantage Points around Lake Tanukiko: Tane-Noyu Onsen, Tanuki Lake Campground, Tanuki Lake Observation Deck.
Can you see Mount Fuji from Tokyo?
Yes, you can see Mount Fuji from Tokyo on a clear day. The visibility depends on the weather and air quality, as it is more than 100 km /62 miles southwest of Tokyo. It’s most visible during the winter months when the air is clearer. Below are the most popular spots in Tokyo for viewing Mount Fuji.
Roppongi Hills Mori Tower is located about 130 km away from Fuji-san. On a clear day, you can see the mountain from its indoor observation deck ‘Tokyo City View’ at 250 meters, or the open-air Sky Deck.
Tokyo Tower is about 150 km away from Mount Fuji. It stands at 333 m tall, and the observation decks are at 150 m and 250 m.
Tokyo Skytree is one of the world’s tallest towers and has two decks at 350m /1150 ft. and 450 m /1475 ft. It is about 160 km away from Mount Fuji.
Tokyo Sea Life Park is located across Tokyo Bay, offering one of the more distant views of Mount Fuji than the above options. It is about 180 km away from Mount Fuji.
Mount Fuji Views from Kanagawa Prefecture
Owakudani Valley: dramatic views of Mount Fuji with the volcanic landscape of Owakudani, especially from the Hakone Ropeway.
Onshi-Hakone Park: serene views of Mount Fuji framed by beautifully landscaped gardens.
Enoshima: coastal views of Mount Fuji, particularly beautiful at sunset.
Isshiki Beach: views of Mount Fuji across Sagami Bay.
Minato Mirai 21 in Yokohama: urban views of Mount Fuji in the background, particularly striking at sunset and from high vantage points like Landmark Tower.
Mount Fuji Views from Shizuoka Prefecture
Miho Matsubara: famous for its scenic views of Mount Fuji with a beautiful pine tree-lined beach.
Nihondaira Ropeway: panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay. The ride itself provides spectacular vistas, and the viewpoint at the top is one of the best in the region.
Mishima Sky Walk: Japan’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge with breathtaking views of Mount Fuji.
Shimizu Port: beautiful views of the iconic mountain over the port: the combination of the bustling port and the majestic mountain is quite picturesque.
Tagonoura Port: the industrial foreground adds a unique contrast to the natural beauty of the mountain.
Imamiya Tea Field: the green tea fields with Mount Fuji in the background.
Asagiri Kogen: pastoral vast landscapes with Mount Fuji in the background.
Urui River: enjoy views of Mount Fuji with the Urui River in the foreground. Views are especially beautiful with cherry blossoms.
Gotemba Premium Outlets: combine shopping with stunning Mount Fuji views.
How to increase your chances of seeing Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is notoriously elusive. Seeing it can be a bit of a challenge due to its frequent shrouding by clouds and fog. From Tokyo, it is visible about 80 to 120 days a year, while closer locations like Kawaguchiko or Shimoyoshida have a higher visibility rate of around 150 to 180 days. With proper planning, you can maximize your chances of seeing Mount Fuji.
Seasonal visibility
Winter (December to February): This is typically the best time to see Mount Fuji, as the air is clearer and there are fewer clouds. Visibility is often very good, especially in the mornings.
Spring and Autumn (March to May, October to November): Visibility can be decent, especially in the early morning before the clouds build up. However, it can be hit or miss.
Summer (June to September): This is the least favorable time to see Mount Fuji due to higher humidity and frequent cloud cover. The mountain is often obscured, particularly during the rainy season (June and July) and the typhoon season (August and September). July is the worst time: the likelihood of not seeing it at all is as high as 87%.
Daily Visibility
Mornings are generally the best time to catch a clear view of Mount Fuji, regardless of the season. As the day progresses, clouds tend to gather around the mountain, making it less visible. However, it’s not always the case. Exceptions are November and December when there are more chances of seeing Mount Fuji at noon. This is what happened when we came to Oshino Hakkai in December. We arrived in the morning, around 8 am, and it was not visible because of the fog. We waited for a couple of hours for the fog to clear up.
Weather Conditions
Aim to visit on a clear, sunny day. Monitoring the weather and cloud forecast before planning a trip can help you increase your chances of seeing Mount Fuji.
You can find some interesting statistics about Mount Fuji visibility in this article.
Also, check the live camera.
Want more inspiration on what to see in Japan? Check my other posts on travel in Japan: