Mount Fuji doesn't reveal itself easily. We stayed near the mountain for three days and the clouds only cleared enough to get a good shot for maybe two hours during that time. So, a lot of time was spent waiting, and walking around looking for an angle. But I think I got lucky three times as we circumnavigated the mountain. Even though we never once got to see more than the top of Fuji as it showed above the clouds, sometimes that's enough.
Another view of Mt. Fuji, taken looking over the rooftops of Iyashi no Sato, a traditional Japanese village. Actually, it's a restored village that mimics what a traditional Japanese village of the Edo period looked like. The original was destroyed by a mudslide caused by a typhoon in 1960. This village, though, is quite nice, albeit touristy. The rebuilt homes are homes and studios for a wide range of traditional Japanese artisans who do paper making, furniture building and ceramics.
It had been completely overcast since we've been in the environs of Mt. Fuji. It rained most of our first night in the vicinity and into themorning, but about 10 a.m. the overcast parted just enough for Mt. Fuji to show his brand new snow cover. When it was raining in the valley, it was snowing above. We walked just down the road 100 meters from where we are staying to get this shot of the brand new snow, the first of the season.
Mount Fuji, or “Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration,” is how UNESCO describes Mount Fuji. It is indeed an inspiration.
Fuji can be visited as a day trip from Tokyo, or you can stay in a town at the foot of the mountain for a few days, as we did. If you do that, you'll have a better chance of actually seeing the mountain.
Mount Fuji is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Japan. Click the link to see a list of the UNESCO sites, with links to ones we have visited.
The best way to get around Japan is with the Japan Rail Pass. Click the link for more info.
Up Your Travel Skills
Looking to book your next trip? Use these resources that are tried and tested by us. First, to get our best travel tips, sign up for our email newsletter. Then, be sure to start your reading with our Resources Page where we highlight all the great travel companies and products that we trust. Travel Accessories: Check out our list of all the accessories we carry to make getting there and being there a lot easier. Credit Cards: See our detailed post on how to choose the right travel rewards credit card for you. Flights: Start finding the very best flight deals by subscribing to Thrifty Traveler. Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with Booking.com. Travel insurance: We recommend the annual plan with Allianz Travel Insurance. See all of the gear and books we like in one place on our Amazon shop.Got a comment on this post? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Threads and share your thoughts!
Comments are closed.