The Mt. Fuji area rewards patience like few places on earth. I based myself near the base of Chureito Pagoda for a few days, determined to capture Japan’s most iconic peak. But Fuji is shy—hidden behind clouds more often than not. Over three days I climbed the long stairway to Chureito Pagoda six times, in the dark before sunrise and again before sunset, each time hoping the clouds would clear. Most attempts ended in mist, the pagoda standing alone in a sea of grey.
While waiting for Fuji to emerge, I wandered through the forested paths of Arayayama Shrine. The quiet was almost sacred—stone lanterns draped in moss, the scent of cedar thick in the air, and the rhythmic echo of my footsteps on the worn temple steps. Even without the mountain, the place carried its own kind of peace, a reminder that sometimes the journey between moments is just as meaningful as the destination itself.
But on my final climb to the pagoda, as the sun dipped and the sky blushed pink, Fuji finally revealed herself making it worth every step.
Tip: Spend at least two to three days around Fujiyoshida or Lake Kawaguchi. The mountain reveals itself on its own schedule, and when it does, it’s pure magic.
