Mount Fuji is beautiful

Mount Fuji is Japans highest mountain. To be precise, we are talking here about an active volcano (last eruption was in 1707) from 3776 meters high.

It is a very photogenic landmark; judge for yourself:

Mount Fuji as seen from our hotelroom at the Hilton in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

A closer look.

Photographed from afar, through a window, with a mediocre camera; not the best quality picture. But gosh, isn’t she a beauty?!

My pictures are all taken from very far away. What are the best ways to see Mount Fuji?

Why we decided to admire Mount Fuji from afar

Mount Fuji is very approachable, e.g. from Tokyo. But she’s a shy creature;-). Meaning that she is very often covered in clouds, so you have to consider yourself lucky if she reveals herself to you.

During our 9 days in Tokyo, there were only 3 days that the volcanic mountain was visible.

We did not feel for spending a lot of our time (and money) traveling to this mountain, only to arrive there and see just clouds. So we decided to stay in the city (Tokyo), keep our eyes open, keep track of the weather reports and choose a clear day for some serious Mount Fuji-sunset-watching.

Picture taken from Roppongi Hills, Tokyo.

Three great spots to see the sun set over Mount Fuji

We chose three different locations on three different days:

1. the Park Hyatt Hotel in Shinjuku (you can see the pictures I took from there in this post)
2. the observation deck of Tokyo City View, in Roppongi Hills

Beautiful skies over Tokyo and Mount Fuji. Picture taken from Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills.

Great views from Tokyo City View Observation Deck in Ropponggi Hills, Tokyo

There is also a fancy champagne lounge area at Tokyo City View. I love champagne, but the views here are not good for photography, since the lights of this area reflect in the windows.

3. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

This is the only option of the three where the views are FREE! Unfortunately when we were there, the shy Mount Fuji had completely covered herself with a veil of clouds.

Other good ways to enjoy Mount Fuji

There are many ways to enjoy the mountain.

We chose to ‘just look’ at it, from the heart of Tokyo.

But you can also: visit the mountain, walk around the foot of it, hike to the summit, spend some days nearby at an ‘onsen’ or explore the beautiful nature around it with its serene lakes.

Here are some good resources for more information and an overview of all the options you have:

• this WikiTravel article is informative and practical
• this article from Huffpost Travel is a fun read: ‘Eight ways to see Mount Fuji’
• on JapanGuide I found this crazy-complete, useful overview. Great info! ‘Mount Fuji: from where to view Mount Fuji’
• on this Instagram account you find the most fabulous pictures of Mount Fuji. Taken from different locations around the mountain, at different times of the day, in all sorts of weather and seasons. I’m guessing that the photographer lives very near Mount Fuji.

Did you see Mount Fuji in all its glory and where and when was this? Or is this snow-capped mountain still on your bucket list? What do you think are the best ways to see Mount Fuji?