Best Time to Visit Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is Japan's most iconic landmark and a symbol of its culture and nature. It is also a popular destination for travelers who want to enjoy its stunning scenery, hiking trails, and cultural attractions. But when is the best time to visit Mount Fuji? The answer depends on what you want to see and do around the mountain. In this article, we will guide you through the different seasons and months in which Mount Fuji is the most visible, beautiful, and accessible.

Best Time to Visit Mount Fuji: A Guide for Every Season

• Winter: The Best Time to See Mount Fuji
• Spring: The Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms and Mt. Fuji
• Summer: The Best Time to Climb Mount Fuji
• Autumn: The Best Time to See Fall Colors and Mt. Fuji

Winter: best time to see and take photos of Mt Fuji

Winter (November to February) is the best season to see Mount Fuji clearly from various locations, such as Tokyo, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, and Lake Tanuki. In winter, snow can cause mobility problems, but the chances of seeing Mount Fuji are highest on a clear day. Winter is also the best time to take good photos of Mount Fuji.

Things to do in Winter

►To see the full view of Mount Fuji, you can choose to shoot in places such as Asama Park or Yamanaka Lake. These places offer a view of the snow of Mount Fuji. Yamanaka Lake also has a special landscape, that is, diamond Fuji phenomenon. It is the moment when the top of Fuji and the sun coincide, it will shine like a diamond. The spectacle can be seen at sunset from early to mid-February.

►Experience the onsen near the Mount Fuji. How can you visit Japan's Mount Fuji in winter without experiencing a hot spring? You can choose to stay in places such as Kawaguchiko or Otenba. There are many hot spring hotels in these places, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mount Fuji while soaking in the hot springs. 

Diamond Fuji phenomenon

Notes

In winter, the temperature of Mount Fuji is very low, and may experience snow or high winds, resulting in icy roads or poor visibility. Therefore, you need to wear warm clothes and non-slip shoes, bring gloves, hats, scarves and other cold supplies, but also carry some hot water and food to prevent hypothermia or physical exhaustion. Some of the roads and facilities around the mountain may also be closed or have limited hours.

Lake Kawaguchi Snow Scene

Spring: The Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms and Mt. Fuji

Spring (March to May) is another beautiful season to see cherry blossoms (sakura) and Mt. Fuji together. Cherry blossoms are Japan's national flower and a symbol of spring and renewal. They bloom for a short period of time between late March and early May, depending on the location and weather conditions.

Things to do in Spring

►Spring is also a good season to see Mount Fuji from Tokyo, as the haze that often obscures the mountain during summer is not yet present. Visitors can see Mount Fuji from various spots in Tokyo, such as Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, or Odaiba Seaside Park.

►Spring also offers some opportunities to enjoy nature and culture around Mount Fuji. You can visit the Oshino Hakkai Springs, which are eight ponds fed by melted snow from Mount Fuji. The water is crystal clear and reflects the image of the mountain on a calm day. Take a ride on the Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing boat “Ensoleille”. It allows you to travel around Lake Kawaguchi to enjoy the beautiful combination of Mount Fuji and the lake and mountain scenery.

Mount Fuji and Sakura

Notes

►The weather can be unpredictable and changeable, so visitors need to check the forecast before they go.

►Spring is also a peak season for tourism in Japan, so visitors may encounter crowds and higher prices at some places.

Oshino Hakkai and clear water

Summer: The Best Time to Climb Mount Fuji

Summer (June to August) is the best season to climb Mount Fuji, as the official climbing season opens and the hiking trails are accessible and safe. Climbing Mount Fuji is a rewarding experience that offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and a sense of accomplishment. However, climbing Mount Fuji is not an easy task and requires physical fitness, proper equipment, and careful preparation. Visitors should also be aware of the risks of altitude sickness, weather changes, and volcanic activity.

Things to do in Summer

►Summer also has some festivals and events around Mount Fuji that are unique to this season. For example, the Yoshida Fire Festival is held on August 26 and 27 near the Yoshida Trailhead. The festival features torches that are lit along the trail to symbolize the closing of the mountain and the appeasement of the goddess of Mount Fuji. Another example is the Fuji Rock Festival, which is held in late July at the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture. The festival is one of the largest outdoor music festivals in Japan and attracts many famous artists and bands from around the world.

The crowd climbing Mount Fuji

Notes

►The weather can be very hot and humid, so visitors need to stay hydrated and avoid heatstroke.

►Summer is also the busiest season for tourism in Japan, so visitors may encounter long lines, traffic jams, and crowded trains and buses.

►The air quality can also be poor due to smog and haze, which can reduce the visibility of Mount Fuji.

Autumn: The Best Time to See Fall Colors and Mt. Fuji

Autumn (September to November) is the most recommended season to visit Mount Fuji, because except for not being able to reach the summit, there are no road closures, fewer people, and pleasant weather. The most important thing is that the sky is clear and the chance of seeing Mount Fuji from a distance is higher, and the autumn leaves are very beautiful.

Things to do in Autumn

►Autumn is also a good season to see Mount Fuji from various locations and angles. Visitors can visit Lake Kawaguchi, which is one of the Fuji Five Lakes and offers a panoramic view of Mount Fuji from its northern shore. Visitors can also take a ropeway to the top of Mount Kachi Kachi, which is a small hill near Lake Kawaguchi that offers a 360-degree view of Mount Fuji and the lake. Visitors can also visit Lake Yamanaka, which is another one of the Fuji Five Lakes and offers a closer view of Mount Fuji from its eastern shore. Visitors can also enjoy some water activities on the lake, such as boating, fishing, and kayaking.

Mt.fuji in autumn

Notes

►The weather can be unpredictable and changeable, so visitors need to check the forecast before they go.

►Autumn is also a peak season for tourism in Japan, so visitors may encounter crowds and higher prices at some places.