From Tokyo, the only thing standing between you and photographing one of the world’s most iconic mountains is a few hours on the Shinkansen high-speed train. My recent journey to Mt. Fuji felt like a montage from one of my favorite adventure movies. It took me through four stations, showered me with scenic landscapes, and landed me at the foot of a natural wonder — equipped with my photography gear, of course.
Photo: Rick Southers
Camera Roll: How to Take Breathtaking Photos of Mt. Fuji
Getting great Mt. Fuji photos depends heavily on weather conditions, so it’s best to plan your visit from Tokyo a few days in advance and stay flexible. The payoff? A memorable trip through eastern Japan — and the camera roll to prove it.
Before departing from Tokyo, I rehearsed the train route over and over, double checking Google maps for the correct times and transfers. Then, it was time to depart the picturesque Otsuka Station and head west. Photo: Rick Southers
My first transfer was at Shinjuku Station, a busy connecting station in northern Tokyo. I navigated through the station using Google Maps and color-coded signs that made the process of finding the right platform quick and seamless. Once aboard the Shinkansen, it’s a scenic 55-minute journey to Ōtsuki Station to catch the Fujikyuko line to your final destination. Photo: Rick Southers
The Shinkansen is much more modern and comfortable than the commuter trains I’d become used to catching around Tokyo. It’s sleek, fast, and almost silent. Every seat reclines slightly and has a tray table for snacks and drinks. Photo: Rick Southers
During the ride, we passed over farmland, across rivers, and through mountains. I had a short debate about which side of the train would yield more scenic views, but they both did. Photo: Rick Southers
The last train to Kawaguchiko Station is the storied Fujikyu line, which is known for being colorfully decorated with anime characters. At Kawaguchiko Station, you’ll find lots of gift shops, restaurants, and a bike rental shop. Photo: Rick Southers
From this area, it’s easy to flag down a taxi to take you anywhere in the Lake Kawaguchiko area. I stayed at the Noborisaka Hotel, which was a short 10-minute ride from the station. The hotel comes complete with an onsen and attached restaurant. Rick Southers
From the hotel’s entrance, I could see where Mt. Fuji should have been, but the intense cloud cover kept it hidden. My best shot at clear photos of the mountain would be between sunrise and 10 AM the next day. This was a perfect time to have a meal at the hotel restaurant and relax before my early morning. Photo: Rick Southers
Japanese pancakes taste more like dessert than breakfast. I had no complaints. Photo: Rick Southers
Recently, one of the most popular shots of Mt. Fuji has been from a Lawson convenience store with the mountain as a backdrop. This created so much of a tourist traffic jam that local officials decided to ban photography at the store, going as far as putting up a wall to block potential photo ops. Unbeknownst to some, a short walk around town will take you to other Lawson locations with a very similar viewpoint. My first stop after sunrise was at this one, just a 10-minute taxi ride from the hotel. Photo: Rick Southers
The next stop was Lake Kawaguchiko for more photos of the mountain and drone shots over the lake. Play around with different foreground elements, such as this reflection of the mountain on the lake. Photo: Rick Southers
When I visited, there was a beautiful patch of flowers along the walking path next to the lake. By 10 AM, the clouds rolled in and completely covered the mountain’s peak. It was time to go. It was easy to catch a taxi from Lake Kawaguchiko Park to the train station, with my camera full of memories, and start the scenic journey back to Tokyo. Photo: Rick Southers